Match Report | Dundee 0-5 Ross County

Ross County produced a record-breaking top-flight victory over Dundee at the Kilmac Stadium this evening with a resounding 5-0 win.

A brace from Regan Charles-Cook and goals from Harry Clarke, Joseph Hungbo and Ross Callachan completed a perfect 90 minutes of football as Malky Mackay recorded his first league victory as County manager.

After 15 minutes of stalemate, Dundee skipper Charlie Adam finally gave the home fans some excitement. A cleared Paul McMullan cross broke to the former Liverpool midfielder who unleashed a piledriver of a left-footed shot, only for his attempt to be touched around the post by Ashley Maynard-Brewer in goal.

However, the Staggies immediately replied with a goal just 3 minutes later. A raking diagonal pass to the right-hand side was left by Jordan Marshall who thought the intended recipient of the pass was in an offside position. Joseph Hungbo recognised his position and ignored the pass, leaving Harry Clarke to venture beyond him to the surprise of Marshall. The Arsenal-loanee then burst towards goal and lifted his right-footed shot beyond Adam Legzdins and into the top left-corner.

After 27 minutes, Malky Mackay’s side had increased their advantage through ex-Dundee midfielder Ross Callachan. A short back-pass from Cammy Kerr was not dealt with by Legzdins who smashed the ball against the back of Jordan White from close range. The ball then broke into the path of Callachan, allowing him to calmy roll the ball into the far corner from the left of the box.

11 minutes before the interval, Joseph Hungbo produced a serious goal of the season contender with a perfectly struck free kick from around 30 yards from goal. The winger bagged his first goal for the Staggies by wrapping the ball into the top right stanchion leaving Legzdins with no chance of keeping it out! Hunbgo now finally has a goal to account for a series of impressive recent displays.

County then remarkably added a fourth goal shortly before half time to compound a miserable opening 45 minutes of football for the hosts. Callachan’s shot from the edge of the box was beaten away by the Dundee goalkeeper, only for his save to land at the feet of Connor Randall on the left-hand side of the box. Randall then picked out Charles-Cook in the six-yard box who directed the ball into the net from close-range.

Malky Mackay must’ve been elated with his side’s first 45 minutes. The Staggies looked to be playing with exuberance and were breaching their opposition’s defence with ease every time they flooded forward. It was a perfect 45 minutes of attractive and effective football.

County then added further devastation in the 71^st minute with a cutting-edge counterattack to make it 5-0! An intricate one-two between Harry Clarke and Jordan White on the half-way line allowed the full-back space on the right-hand side to maraud forward. Star man Clarke galloped towards the box before sliding the ball over to Regan Charles-Cook who then opened up his body and curled the ball into the far-right bottom corner.

After a convincing and controlled 90 minutes of football from Ross County, Malky Mcakay’s side picked up their first 3 points of the season. The Staggies are now just 1 point behind tonight’s opponents after what may turn out to be one of the most important results of the season.

It took new boss Malky Mackay 11 games to clinch his first victory as County boss, but his side certainly won it in style. After weeks of growing performances, the pieces came together today as County recorded their largest ever top-flight victory. Five, yes 5-0 to the Staggies!