The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ross County’s
Darren Young’s men impress in semi clash – but Staggies reach Irn-Bru Cup final
Declan McManus takes to the air during last night’s 2-1 Challenge Cup semi-final victory over East Fife.
East Fife’s terrific Irn-Bru Cup run ran out of fizz at the home of Ross County after a thrilling 90 minutes last night.
The Bayview club were aiming to reach their first domestic cup final since 1953, but knew they’d have to see off the Championship pacesetters to get there.
Having already beaten Queen of the South and Partick Thistle in the competition this season, the Fifers looked confident from kick-off, with Anton Dowds leading the line well.
But it didn’t take the home club long to hit their stride in this semi-final as they switched play from side to side.
Josh Mullin worked some decent space for himself down the right but his cross was cut out by Fife defender Craig Watson.
The hosts were really neat in possession but for all their dominance struggled to break down a well-drilled Fife backline.
Darren Young’s League One men posed problems at the other end, too, with a Scott Linton long throw just failing to connect with Daryll Meggatt.
The chance appeared to kick Ross County up a gear and they passed up a couple of decent opportunities to break the deadlock.
Mullin scampered clear only to have his shot blocked by Brett Long. The Fifers couldn’t clear their lines, though, and Ross Stewart followed up, only to screw his effort wide.
It was no surprise when the Staggies broke the deadlock – and the goal will be a massive source of frustration for East Fife, with Daniel Armstrong’s corner managing to evade everyone and nestle into the far corner.
East Fife had struggled to create too much in attack, but almost pulled level out of the blue when a Dowds cross along the face of goal was cut out by the home defence.
The hosts were looking potent every time they broke up the park and gave themselves a comfortablelooking cushion when former Dunfermline striker Declan McManus netted from close range.
East Fife refused to buckle, and reduced the deficit almost straight away when Dowds headed home a Watson cross.
The Staggies knew East Fife’s counter would put a spring in their step for the start of the second 45 so set about restoring their two-goal advantage from the restart.
They came close to doing just that when an Armstrong cross was met six yards out by McManus.
Fife keeper Long managed to block his effort, though, and the visiting defence cleared the danger.
The visitors went for broke as the half went on with boss Young replacing Liam Watt with forward Kevin Smith.
Within seconds of entering the pitch the striker almost won his side a penalty after he was bundled over inside the box.
Despite the protests from the Fifers, referee Alan Newlands was having none of it.
Smith was in the thick of the action again with quarter of an hour left when he met a Linton cross just a few yards from goal, only for Ross Munro to get his body behind the effort.
County should have killed the tie in the closing minutes when Mullin raced clear on Long’s goal.
But again the Fife keeper was in top form and managed to get a leg to the County man’s effort.
The clock ticked down and it wasn’t to be for the Fifers who will look back on a remarkable cup journey, including an illfated trip to Dublin, with pride.
Attendance: 1,283.
Ross County – Munro, Fraser, Draper, McManus (Gardyne 79), Boyle, Mullin, Paton (McKay 83), Stewart, Van Der Weg, Armstrong (Lindsay 73), Grivosti. Subs – Fox, Spence, Wallace, Murray.
East Fife – Long, Watson, Slattery, Dunlop, Meggatt, Dunsmore (Bell 80), Linton, Docherty (Currie 74), Davidson, Dowds, Watt (Smith 66). Subs – Terry, Kane, Court.
Referee: Alan Newlands.