Ross County V Hearts – Cinch Scottish Premiership (02/04/2022)
Early start as I made my first trip up to Dingwall, half 9 pick up in Grangemouth as I got a lift from fellow Jambo Willie for the 167 mile drive. It’s a real scenic drive up north through the hills with snow on top, made all the better that it was a nice day weather wise. Don’t think I’ve ever had a journey to a football game quite like it before going up the A9 into the Highlands.
Parked up about five minutes walk from the stadium and went for a walk in the town centre, which to be fair was a little disappointing as there wasn’t really much on offer. Headed back towards Park or Global Energy Stadium as it’s also known as, met up with my co-host of The Men In Maroon Podcast Anas outside the ground and had a good time chatting to him as always. Treated myself to a prematch feast as I had a packet of salt and vinegar, a sprite and my first haggis, neeps and tatties pie!! What a delightful pie it was, I would never have imagined putting that in a pie but I’m very happy that someone up in Dingwall did!!
I found my seat which was in the away end behind the goal in Row A smack bang in the middle of the goal which didn’t give me the best view, the joy of not being able to select your own seat online. Victoria Park is a modern looking ground but not a standard copy like so many of the modern stadiums, with all four stands seated and all being single tiered. The north stand which housed the away fans was nicely filled with Jambos making a great noise.
Hearts had the first real chance minutes in as Aaron McEneff played the ball across the six yard box to Liam Boyce who with the open goal at his disposal managed to play the ball behind himself, which seemed more difficult than scoring.
Just over 15 minutes gone and Hearts were awarded a penalty as Barrie McKay was brought down inside the box, McKay stepped up to take the penalty but unfortunately his spot kick was saved down low to turn keepers right.
Ross County almost took the lead as they hit the post from a header following a corner, luckily a Hearts defender got a block on the shot from the rebound deflecting the ball over.
With half an hour on the clock the home side took the lead again causing Hearts trouble form a corner as Alex Iacovitti was open at the back post to head past Craig Gordon. The lead was almost doubled immediately as the Staggies hit the post once more.
Hearts drew level with just over five minutes till half time as the ball fell to Barrie McKay following a deflection and he sent the ball into the back of the net from an angle on the edge of the six yard box, redeeming himself for his earlier penalty miss.
A pretty even half in the end, although Hearts dominated the opening 25 minutes or so but they seemed to let County back into the game. A draw at halftime seemed a fair score line as neither had done enough to be ahead. Barrie McKay and Aaron McEneff impressed out wide and both looked dangerous when on the ball.
Craig Gordon came to Hearts rescue as he pushed a shot from distance onto the post and then as Callachan gathered the rebound on his own in the six yard box, Gordon earned his wage with a miraculous save.
Further cause for concern for Hearts as the game entered the final minutes as Liam Boyce had to leave the field with the physio, to be replaced by former Hearts player Andy Kirk’s son Mackenzie Kirk. Not what Hearts fans wanted to see a week before the first of two meetings with Hibs, hopefully it was a precautionary substitution.
A second half that went by without much to shout about for either side but a good point away from home for Hearts. Toby Sibbick had a strong second half and kept Regan Charles-Cook’s input to a minimum.
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – £10
Programme Price – N/A
Programme Rating – N/A
Refreshments – 9/10
Stadium Facilities – 5/10
Getting To Stadium – 8/10
Stadium Rating – 7/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Ross County against Hearts.
Daz Carding
Football Days With A Salopian Jambo 