Defeat won’t put the wind up Watt

Aug 8 2007 Ayrshire Post

BOSS Neil Watt insisted Ayr’s opening day defeat wasn’t a setback and vowed they’ll get it right over the course of the season.

But a worrying lack of goal chances marked United’s foray into the Highlands where County shrugged off a red card to finish comfortable winners.

A fourth minute header from former Killie kid Alex Barrowman was followed by a Stewart Petrie goal after an hour.

The Dingwall side then had Darren Brady sent off for a wild challenge on Ryan Stevenson but Ayr never looked like cashing in.

Afterwards, Watt claimed: “I think the wind ruined the game as a spectacle for both teams. It was a game of few chances - Michael Moore had an effort in the first-half while Murray Henderson had one cleared off the line but apart from that you could count on one hand the saves the keepers had to make between them.

“It was two teams obviously committed to trying for points from the first game of the season but it wasn’t to be for us.

“However, it’s not a setback. It’s only one game out of 36 and everybody knows coming up to Ross County what they are all about.

“They have been a First Division club for a number of years and have made it known publicly that they want to get back at the first attempt.

“It’s a not a major disappointment as we’ve still got another three games with them.

“But I always say it takes the first quarter of the season before everybody sees what all the teams are about.”

Ayr were caught cold when Mark McGeown brilliantly parried a long range drive from Derek Adams but when the ball spun free, Barrowman reacted first to head home from two yards.

Ayr almost levelled after 15 minutes when a David Lowing free-kick was met by Moore only for his bullet header to fly straight at County keeper Tony Bullock.

Ayr’s defending looked shaky and Eddie Forrest almost put through his own goal when he swung at a Daniel Moore cross and sent the ball inches wide of McGeown’s post.

Ayr were forced into a change after 53 minutes when Lowing, who had taken a knock before the break, was replaced by Chris Robertson with Forrest switching to left back.

At the same time, Mark Casey took the place of David Dunn in midfield.

Ayr continually played to the aerial strength of Moore but for all his good work they struggled to create chances and the warning signs began to flash for a second County goal.

And so it came when veteran Petrie latched on to Barrowman’s header and took one touch before burying a low shot into the bottom corner.

Alex Williams replaced Gareth Wardlaw before the game then threatened to turn nasty when Brady copped a straight red for a high challenge on Stevenson after an unfortunate incident which stemmed from an argument over not putting the ball out of play. Ayr had 23 minutes to make their numerical advantage count but home keeper Tony Bullock was rarely tested.

STAR MEN: ***Michael Moore; **Mark McGeown; *Eddie Forrest.

ROSS COUNTY: Bullock; McCulloch, Golabek; Dowie, Keddie, Scott; Brady, Adams (Niven 87), Barrowman (Higgins 80), Moore, Petrie (Robertson 74). Unused subs: Gunn, Tomei; Booked: McCulloch, Keddie; Sent off: Brady.

AYR: McGeown; Swift, Forrest, Henderson, Lowing (Robertson 53); Hamilton, Stevenson, Dunn (Casey 53), McLaren; Moore, Wardlaw (Williams 65); Unused subs: Corr, Vareille; Booked: Swift, Forrest, Stevenson.

Referee: Alan Freeland; Crowd: 2164.