Match Report | Motherwell 0-1 RCFC

Ross County defeated Motherwell 1-0 at Fir Park this evening as Malky Mackay’s side picked up another massive 3 points in the cinch Premiership.

Joseph Hungbo’s first half penalty was enough to seal the victory for the Staggies as they climb to 8^th position in the table!

After 15 minutes, the Staggies took the lead when Joseph Hungbo grabbed his second goal in as many games with a calmy despatched penalty kick. Hunbgo’s clever first-time pass around the corner for the advanced Kayne Ramsay allowed the Southampton-loanee to use his pace to burst past Jake Carroll on the right of the box. As Ramsay headed inward, Carroll hauled the full back down and the referee John Beaton pointed to the spot.

There was some dubiety as to whether the foul took place inside or outside of the box and the home fans booed Hungbo on his approach to the spot. But there was no hesitation in the Watford-loanee’s finish as he stroked the ball beyond Liam Kelly and into the left corner, clearing Fir Park of any remaining boos.

County then coasted along to half time as the Steelmen offered very little attacking threat. With the exception of Hungbo’s early penalty, neither side were able to create any clear goalscoring opportunities with both teams appearing content to allow their opposition centre backs to enjoy unopposed deep possession.

Malky Mackay would have been pleased to see his side take an early lead and will have been equally as impressed by the Staggies’ defensive assertion. The home side were struggling to find a way through with their only hope of a promising attack coming from a quick switch of play to Kaiyne Woolery in the hope they could leave him isolated in a 1v1 up against Connor Randall. Thankfully, Randall and his teammates had no issues dealing with the winger’s threat.

However, just 1 minute after the restart, Motherwell missed a glaring opportunity for an equaliser. Kevin van Veen done well to beat Alex Iacovitti to the right-hand side of the box before pulling the ball across goal for Connor Shields. Despite Shields’ attempt to adjust his feet quickly, the winger could only direct his first-time attempt wide of the target just 6 yards out from goal.

In the 64^th minute, van Veen created another chance for the home side when he dropped deep and released Kaiyne Woolery with an inventive first-time reverse pass. Woolery used his pace to get in behind the County defence, but Ross Laidlaw stood firm and repelled the winger’s effort with a strong foot save at his near post.

13 minutes later Rickie Lamie came close with a header from a deep Jake Carroll corner but his glanced near post attempt fell wide of the target.

In the final minute of regulation time, Jordan Roberts had his unopposed header from Callum Slattery’s corner tipped over the bar by Ross Laidlaw.

County held on for all 3 points after a mammoth second half defensive performance and now find themselves in 8^th position in the cinch Premiership table.