Hiwula hopes his goal can help County to kick- start their season
JORDY HIWULA’S 80th- minute equaliser at Fir Park on Saturday ensured that Ross County were not cut four points adrift at the foot of the cinch Premiership table – and the Staggies striker hopes the strike will act as a catalyst for a strong run of form that will see his side shoot up the standings.
Playing on a miserable afternoon in Motherwell where the rain lashed down and the wind howled, there was no shortage of endeavour from either of the two relegation- threatened teams, but a conspicuous lack of guile. It was a gruelling contest that neither could afford to lose – both are without a league victory in months – and in the end, they had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Stuart McKinstry opened the scoring in the second half with a fierce effort from distance that goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw got a hand to but was unable to repel, and the hosts looked set to gain a valuable and moraleboosting three points before a momentary lapse proved costly.
Connor Randall launched a throwin from the halfway line forward, Jordan White flicked the ball on with a header and all of a sudden, Hiwula – who had only been on the pitch a matter of seconds after being subbed on – found himself bearing down on goal with only Liam Kelly to beat.
The striker retained his composure to slot away his first goal since scoring against East Fife in the group stages of the League Cup back in July – and County’s first in 508 minutes of league football – and the 28- year- old is confident that it will mark a turning point both for his own fortunes and that of his team.
“I feel like I’ve done well in the last couple of games when I’ve come on,” Hiwula explained. “I’ve had chances and not put them away but hopefully I can kick on now and get a few more goals.
“Against Motherwell we had a lot of chances and we should have scored more but it wasn’t to be. We just need to keep making chances and try to hit the target, and hopefully we will score a few more goals.
“Hopefully that goal can boost us and give us a little kick.”
Hiwula’s impact in Lanarkshire was near- instant, with the forward having been on the park for less than 10 seconds before drawing his side level. He gambled on White winning his header to burst free of the Motherwell defence and it paid off.
He said: “The gaffer just said to me to go on and try to cause a nuisance. I felt like I did that when I came on.
“I was watching the game from the bench and looking at how I could improve the team if I came on out wide or up top. I felt like there weren’t enough players running in behind the defence so the first opportunity I got, I just tried to get in behind the backline. Luckily I put the ball in the back of the net.
“That’s one off my strengths – running in behind and causing problems. Jordan is very good at holding up the ball and flicking it on. When he has runners getting in behind him he can either flick it on or take a touch, turn and then play us in behind.”
Hiwula’s impact was heartening for County but it was equally dispiriting for Motherwell, whose winless run in the league now stetches to eight games. The manner of the late equaliser will sting but new arrival Ollie Crankshaw is confident it won’t be long before the Steelmen pull away from the relegation scrap.
The winger, signed on loan from Stockport County earlier this month, made his debut in testing conditions in Lanarkshire and while he was naturally disappointed that ’ Well couldn’t get the win over the line, he insists they are just 90 minutes away from embarking on a run of positive results.
Crankshaw said: “Just one win would do it – it’s just a reset, isn’t it? Getting three points would give everyone a boost but it wasn’t to be on this occasion. But looking at the group and the gaffer then I’ve no doubt that that will come. When I look around our dressing room I’m surprised at the position we’re in in the table.”