Faroe Islands v Ross County

Faroe Islands v Ross County
Match Report by Kim Midleton

The opening stages of the game saw some very good football from Ross County.

After only 4 minutes there was an unfortunate incident in which there was a clash of heads beetween Faroe's Kari Hvannastein and County's Kieran Forbes with Forbes coming off the worse and having to make an early exit from the game.

The match remains fairly even in terms of possession. County defend well then follow with a spell of pressure.

Faroe Islands look very sharp when they have the ball however Ross County are successful at keeping them contained. In particular the Faroe's number 10 Ragner Tausen and Ross County's number 7 Gordon Macnab stood out in the early stages.

Sustained Faroe pressure sees a free kick awarded which is taken by Bardur Guttesen and put into penalty box. It is met by a header which forces a decent save from County's keeper Connor Hall.

A chance for Ross County from corner sees John Budge heading the ball over the crossbar.

22minutes in – the game was pretty end to end with half chances either end.

Just before half time a confrontation lands two players in the book – Faroe's Magnus Egilson and County's Jim Kelly both seeing yellow.

Half Time
Ross County 0-0 Faroe Islands.

Both teams could go on to take lead however no clear cut chances to mention at the break. Some glimpses of real talent from Ross County.

GOAL!
Ross County 1-0 Faroe Islands.
Almost as soon as the second half starts Ross County take the lead after the Faroe defence fail to completely clear a County corner. A Calum MacDonald strike putting Ross County ahead.

There is sympathy for the Faroe's on the sidelines as the goal came so quickly after the break – a very bad time to concede.

Faroe Islands press for an equaliser however and it begins to look like it might be on the cards even as they fail to capitalise on a counter attack shortly after going behind when the ball is over-run and County regain possession.

The goal has raised the confidence level in Ross County's team as they look threatening whenever they are on the ball.

GOAL!
Ross County 2-0 Faroe Islands
Gordon McNab doubles the goal tally for Ross County, deserved scoreline – Faroe Island unfortunately have not made the most of their own moments of pressure. Ross County have been the better team this half.

Goalscorer McNab is in the book following a foul – the Faroe Islands players clearly feel it should have been more than a yellow.

Some excellent football from Ross County, accurate passing and with pace. They have had a great game this afternoon.

An injury reduces Faroe to 10 men temporary with their no.3 Roi Av Flotum picking up what appeared to be a foot injury – after a while he is subbed.

Kyle McLoed replaces Ross County's Michael Grimes for the closing stages of the game.

Despite the best efforts of the Faroe's, County's two goals killed the game off as they looked very hard to beat following those.

Full Time
Ross County 2-0 Faroe Islands.

An inspiring performance from Ross County – in particular in the second half, playing very attractive football.

Faroe will be dissappointed they did not make the most of the chances they had – however many positives can be taken from their performance.

Managers Comment:
Ross County -
“Very pleased – not just a battling performance but the better performance. The fact we didn't need to say anything to the lads after the game says it all – very pleased with the result and more so the performance. A very positive and attractive performance and that’s what people want to see.”

Man of the Match:
Gordon Mcnab