Dykes’ hat-trick is a huge sickener for suffering Staggies
LYNDON DYKES left Ross County feeling pig sick after becoming the first Livingston player to net a top-flight hat-trick in yesterday’s thrashing of Ross County.
The Norovirus winter bug had ravaged the Staggies in midweek as 10 players fell ill, leading to suggestions the Dingwall outfit could request a postponement.
In the end, captain Liam Fontaine, Michael Gardyne and Brian Graham were the only changes to the team that beat Kilmarnock a week earlier.
However, County looked like they were still feeling the effects of a nightmare build-up.
The hosts didn’t look back after Ricki Lamie opened the scoring in the 31st minute, with Dykes going on to claim a perfect treble.
‘I’ll remember this for the rest of my life — it’s my first hat-trick and I’m buzzing,’ beamed Dykes.
‘I’m really pleased and hopefully they keep coming. It was the perfect hat-trick — right foot, left foot and a header.’
The small band of County fans among a paltry crowd of only 1,201 would have been questioning their club’s decision to play the game.
County co-manager Steven Ferguson, however, was refusing to use the bug that decimated the squad as a factor in their display.
Ferguson said: ‘It was a tough afternoon. It was certainly not what we were wanting. We weren’t good enough, we didn’t compete.
‘It’s the end of what has been a difficult week, we’ll need to take it on the chin. We’re not going to use the sickness bug as an excuse.
‘Livingston took full advantage of us not being on our game.’
Gary Holt’s side should have gone ahead in the 23rd minute but Jon Guthrie could only get a glancing touch on Steve Lawson’s corner and the ball drifted wide.
A flowing move involving Lawson and Dykes moments later ended in the ball being laid off for Scott Pittman at the corner of the box and the diminutive midfielder’s low drive was pushed behind by the outstretched Nathan Baxter.
Livingston, however, broke County’s resistance just after the half-hour mark. Alan Lithgow’s long throw into the box fell for Guthrie, who cut the ball back for Lamie to score from six yards.
The visitors threatened to level on the counter-attack when Harry Paton fed Josh Mullin but his drive was saved by Matija Sarkic.
A second goal for the hosts arrived four minutes before break,
Dykes slamming in his seventh of the season.
The striker took the acclaim from Lions fans but credit should also go to Steven Lawless for a sublime reverse pass that left Dykes with an unobstructed view of goal.
The interval did little to hinder Livingston’s momentum as Dykes got his second in the 50th minute.
Marvin Bartley’s low drive was pushed away by Baxter but Pittman kept the move alive and after Aymen Souda was unable to make contact with the low cross, Dykes pounced on the loose ball.
Bartley then turned provider for Dykes to add his third in the 73rd minute, the forward angling a header past Baxter.
Livvy boss Holt was full of praise for three-goal hero Dykes.
‘He’s certainly growing into the role of being the focal point in the team,’ said Holt. ‘It’s been a big learning curve for him and responsibility, but he’s taking it on with his performances and goals.’
However, Holt, whose side have climbed up to sixth place, will not lose any sleep wondering if he will have to fend off bids for the 24-year-old next month.
He added: ‘I don’t worry about it because it has to be for the best of the club and he knows that.
‘He just wants to get his head down and play.’