Crushed County Are Petri-Fied

Nov 4 2007 David Gray At Balmoor

PETERHEAD 1

ROSS COUNTY 2

TWO goals from veteran frontman Stewart Petrie were enough to win the Highland derby and keep Ross County in pole position at the top of the table.

It should have been a more convincing victory for County who missed a number of chances against a Peterhead side who scored from their only real chance.

After an uninspiring opening period that saw the league leaders dominate but produce little in the way of goalmouth action the game suddenly burst into life in 14 minutes.

Midfielder Martin Scott found space to turn and chip a clever cross towards goal but Bobby Mann was on hand to head clear. Within seconds keeper Tony Bullock was called into action at the other end to deny Steve Istead from a tight angle.

County were soon back in control and should have taken the lead 10 minutes from half-time when Petrie headed over from Scott's superb left-wing cross.

But the deadlock was broken four minutes before the interval when a hopeful through ball found Petrie on the edge of the box.

Blue Toon keeper Michal Kula dived at the 37-year-old's feet but missed the ball to leave the former Dunfermline winger the simple task of tucking home into the empty net.

But the home side stunned County 10 minutes after the restart when they drew level.

Istead's cross from the right was headed on by Andy Bagshaw and Graeme Sharp was lurking at the back post to power a half-volley high into the net.

County were stung into action and surged forward only to be denied by a great save from Kula when he dived full-stretch to his left to push away an Andy Barrowman header.

But the table-toppers were not to be denied and were back in front in 61 minutes.

Another through ball from midfield allowed Petrie to catch Callum Macdonald on the back foot and power in on goal before neatly prodding past Kula.

The Polish keeper kept his side in the match soon after with a stunning save fromIain Campbell.

Apart from their goal Peterhead rarely threatened and manager Steve Paterson switched to three up front for the final half-hour in a bid to get at the County defence.

It was a bold move but did little to change things as apart from a Konrad Kozminski header straight down the throat of Bullock the new formation failed to disrupt County's dominance.

County coach Derek Adams said: "We deserved to win and could well have scored a few more goals.

"Our style of play was energetic, fast in attack and good on the counter."

Peterhead gaffer Paterson said: "County were pretty comfortable and I thought we would have given them more of a game.

"When we come up against the full-time sides we seem to be falling short and that was again the case.

"On that evidence it looks like we will be chasing third or fourth place."

HERO

VETERAN star Stewart Petrie proved the difference between the sides. Goals win games and it's hard to look past the former Dunfermline man whose brace finally settled the game in favour of the league leaders.

VILLAIN

DESPITE some stunning saves in the second half Polish keeper Michal Kula had already put his team on the back foot by gifting County their crucial opener when he failed to gather at the feet of the onrushing Stewart Petrie.