| Date | Saturday, 22 April 2000 |
|---|---|
| Competition | Scottish League Division 2 |
| Fixture/Score | Hamilton Academical 0:3 Ross County |
| Venue | Douglas Park |
| Attendance | 693 |
| Referee | Craig MacKay |
| Comments | Match Report Report by Gavin Kirk for the Scotland on Sunday. Hamilton Academical 0 Ross County 3 The Second Division promotion picture seems clear enough: Ross County's victory over beleaguered Hamilton ensures that Neale Cooper's Highlanders will be playing in the First Division next season. However, the picture at the bottom of the league could scarcely be more confusing. This defeat for Hamilton, coupled with victory for fellow relegation candidates Queen of the South, means mathematical relegation for Ally Dawson's side, who were deducted 15 points on Thursday for strike action by the entire first-team squad. However, an appeal to the Scottish Football Association is planned by the Academical board, and the league management face the prospect of an end to the season without being able be relegated to the relative obscurity of the Third Division. That is because no punishment can be enforced until such an appeal is heard. This would mean that Queen of the South again occupied bottom spot, while Hamilton returned to the relative safety of the middle of the table--at least for the present. Less confusing is County's position. Their supporters made the long journey to Glasgow intent on a promotion party. Some had even decided on fancy dress; either that or Elvis is alive and well, and living quietly in the Highlands, for most of the time. But from kick-off it was apparent that the visitors possessed the required hunger to ensure victory. Their passing was crisp and precise, while their attacking moves were direct, incisive and at times irresistible. It was to become a stroll inside the first quarter of an hour as two quick goals proved more than enough to kill off Hamilton's resistance. Mark Duthie's cross from the left hit the net like a bullet, albeit with the aid of the crossbar, from a strike by the diminutive George Shaw. Almost six minutes later it was two. Again County made progress down the left flank, and this time Paul Kinnaird had time to measure a cross to the back post, where John McGlashan's knock-down was prodded home from two yards by Alex Bone. Hamilton were never able to offer anything more substantial than the occasional desperate shot from the edge of the penalty box. They found Ross County simply too good on the day. County passed their way to victory, which was wrapped up 10 minutes from time when Shaw scored his second of the day from the penalty spot. Promotion for Ross County brings a satisfactory conclusion to an at times topsy-turvy season. Yet Neale Cooper must surely understand that further reorganisation of his side is required if they are to compete in the higher division. |
| Ross County | |
| Manager | Neale Cooper |
| Starting 11 | 1: Joseph (Nicky) Walker, 2: Ian Maxwell, 3: David MacKay, 4: Kenneth Gilbert, 5: Mark Duthie, 6: Paul Kinnaird, 7: John Fraser, 8: Craig Taggart, 9: John McGlashan, 10: George Shaw 2 (1 pen), 11: Alexander Bone 1 |
| Bench | 0: Martin Canning, 0: Roy McBain, 0: Derek Holmes |
| Hamilton Academical | |
| Manager | Ally Dawson |
| Starting 11 | Ian McFarlane, Eddie Cunnington, Ross MacLaren, Paul Gaughan 1, Gary Lynn 1, Stevie Thompson, Martin Bonnar, Jose Quitongo, James Coubrough, Gerard Crossley, Wlliam Davidson |
| Bench | Michael Martin, Ryan Kelly, Michael Moore |