Motherwell 2
Ross County 0
League (SPL)

Match Report

Source unknown.

The match was overshadowed by a serious injury to Ross County captain, Richard Brittain, who was stretchered off during the second period with what looked like a nasty injury. It was a heartbreaking end to the season for County, who had hoped that a win would set up a European decider with their Highland rivals, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, in the final game of the campaign.

The visitors were dealt a serious blow to their European aspirations when, after just eight minutes, Chris Humphrey swept in a cross from the right side of the box for McFadden to sweep home the opener at the far post
Humphrey was proving to be a hot handful for the SPL runners-up, doubling the Steelmen's lead seconds before the interval with a superb solo goal.

County came out and took the match to the home side after the break, McFadden missed a great chance to make it 3-0 but that would have been barely a true reflection on a game in which the Staggies more than played their part.

County kept faith with the same 11 which started in the 1-1 draw with Celtic in their last outing with Steffen Wohlfarth again leading the line.
The visitors opened brightly and with clear intent to maintain posession but were undone in home side’s first real attack of the game.
Humphrey went on a powerful run down the right wing and when his cross to the far post found McFadden, the former Everton striker confidently swept the ball past Staggies keeper Michael Fraser from 10 yards.
County responded by putting the home side on the back foot and in the 16th minute skipper Richard Brittain ended another fine move by driving an effort just wide of the target from 25 yards. Minutes later County left-back Evangelos Ikonomou went past Tom Hateley with a powerful run down the left wing and put in a terrific ball across the home side's six-yard box but found no one to apply the finish. There was then a scare for the home side in the 36th minute when defender Shaun Hutchinson's sloppy pass was intercepted by the ever alert Iain Vigurs who quickly sent Ivan Sproule racing through on goal. However, the Northern Irishman's touch was too heavy which allowed Well keeper Darren Randolph, captain for the day, to smother at his feet inside the box.

With the visitors looking to get back on level terms before the interval, they were hit by a sucker punch in the final minute of the first period.
From a County corner, Humphrey picked up the ball inside his own half and raced down the right touchline chased by Iain Vigurs and when he found he had no support he drove on into the box, before slipping the ball past Michael Fraser from close range.

County continued to push for the goal that would keep their European hopes alive with Fotheringham driving over the bar from the edge of the box in the 65th minute to end another promising move. Martin Scott and Paul Lawson were withdrawn and replaced by Gary Glen and Alex Cooper as the visitors went for broke and the home side were reduced in the main to defensive duties as the Staggies maintained the upperhand.