Ross County 0 – 3 Aberdeen
Global Energy Stadium
27/09/20
Derek McInnes summed up the past two defeats, getting trounced against Motherwell then losing bravely to Sporting, as Aberdeen being a bit “dippy” in his pre-match interviews in Dingwall.
Aberdeen had clearly gone back to school and wised up on their opponents today as they blew Ross County away three-nil, with two penalties from Lewis Ferguson and a debut goal for Marley Watkins.
Aberdeen were dominant from first to last and could have been two goals up in the first minute when Scott Wright hit the post and Niall McGinn missed a guilt edge chance from six yards.
Today the Dons were back in ruthless fashion, moving to within two points of Hibs in third with two games in hand after the Hibees lost against Celtic.
In Dingwall, Aberdeen resembled more a side that could give their fans a lot to look forward to with the depth of talent McInnes has to call on this season.
After two games, which saw Aberdeen concede early goals and never recover, McInnes said he was delighted at the way the Dons started today.
On the performance, McInnes said: “We had a bit of trepidation after the European trip and the focus and the intensity at the start of the game that we banged on about was clear, which pleased me no end.
“The speed of the team, the slickness of the play and the aggression was everything I wanted and I’m delighted with the performance.”
Special praise was reserved for Marley Watkins who scored his first goal for the club after arriving on loan from Bristol City.
On his temporary striker, McInnes said: “He’s been different class since he came, holding the line brilliantly, bringing others into play. His overall game was outstanding today. You can see how his teammates celebrated. Everyone knew he was bursting to score a goal and I’m just really pleased for him because he works hard and he never lets his head down.”
County manager Stuart Kettlewell lamented his side’s performance and had no arguments with the final score.
After the game the Staggies’ boss said: “That’s as poor as we’ve been all season. From the first minute to the last we didn’t compete in any aspect of the game.
“Every facet today was well short of where we’ve been. In other defeats this season I’ve felt there’s been stages where we’ve performed well and competed with our opponent, but for me Aberdeen were better than us all over the pitch.”
Emergency man Watkins earning hero status
Watkins was brought in from Bristol City at the beginning of the season after Dave Cormack and co had to scramble to try bolster Derek McInnes’ attacking options.
The Dons’ manager began the season with all three of his main strikers injured and Cormack worked wonders in getting in Watkins and Leeds United forward Ryan Edmonson on temporary deals to offer McInnes cover up-front.
Watkins might not be a twenty goal a season striker but since joining he’s proven his worth in his work-rate and willingness to harry defences and help support his teammates.
Match recap
Derek McInnes said pre-match that Aberdeen’s starts in the last two games had been mentioned and what a discussion that must have been as the Dons hit the post and McGinn ballooned a tap-in over the bar within a minute of the match kicking-off in Dingwall.
Minutes later Marley Watkins had the opportunity to break his duct for Aberdeen with a chance in the box and McCrorie fizzed a twenty-five yard sighter at Ross Laidlaw’s goal which the keeper did well to tip over the bar.
McInnes made only two changes from the midweek exertions in Europe, reverting to a back three as full-back Shay Logan dropped to the bench for Niall McGinn and forward Scott Wright came in for midfielder Dylan McGeouch.
Whilst Aberdeen dominated the game they didn’t make the breakthrough till four minutes before half-time when Watkins scored his first goal for the club, expertly guiding in Jonny Hayes’ cross.
The game was all but over fifteen minutes into the second-half. Lewis Ferguson scored his third penalty in the SPL when beleaguered Staggies’ captain Iain Vigurs was given his marching orders by William Collum after bringing down Ross McCrorie as last man.
The game was put to bed when Ferguson converted another penalty fifteen minutes before the end after Josh Reid handled.
Ross County, 4-5-1: Laidlaw, Gardyne, Shaw, Vigurs, Watson, Iacovitti, Tillson, Paton, Donaldson, Stewart, Reid
Subs: Doohan (GK), Tremarco, Morris, McKay, O’Connor, Charles-Cook, Kelly, Wright, MacKinnon,
Aberdeen, 3-4-2-1: Lewis, Hoban, Considine, Taylor, McCrorie, Ferguson, Hayes, Wright, Hedges, Watkins, McGinn
Subs: Cerny (GK), Logan, Ojo, Edmondson, Anderson, Hernandez, McKenzie, McLennan, McGeouch
Goals: Watkins 41’, Ferguson 60’ (pen), 76’ (pen)
Up next:
The Dons’ next Premiership fixture is against St Mirren at Pittodrie in ‘Friday Night Football’ on 2nd October. KO 19:45.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 