The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
STAGGIES FELLED BY RAMPANT QUEENS
Worstdefeatoftheseasonfor HighlandersasDoonhamersrunriot
This afternoon could scarcely have gone any worse for Ross County, who plummeted to their heaviest defeat of the season in Dumfries.
The Staggies’ three league defeats prior to this had all been settled by the odd goal, but on this occasion the Dingwall men went down with a whimper against an impressive Queens side.
The catalyst for the hosts’ display was veteran attacker Stephen Dobbie, whose two goals took his tally for the campaign to 32,
QUEENOFSOUTH ROSS COUNTY
while Michael Doyle and Barry Maguire were also on target for the rampant Doonhamers.
Winger Josh Mullin was dismissed for a second-half lunge on Maguire to compound the Staggies’ misery, with the only consolation coming in the form of a favour from rivals Caley Thistle, whose victory over Ayr United keeps them three points clear at the top of the Championship.
County’s succession of injury problems meant they were down to the bare bones for the trip to Palmerston, making the midweek additions of Kenny van der Weg and Lewis Spence all the more timely. Both players were in from the start, along with winger Mullin, with Marcus Fraser, Callum Morris and Don Cowie dropping out. The Staggies squad had to show its versatility, with Tom Grivosti shifted to right back and Ross Draper standing in as skipper at the heart of defence.
Both sides carried early goal threats with a Michael Gardyne cross narrowly evading Ross Stewart, before Spence saw an effort drift just wide from distance. Queens also looked dangerous, with a short Keith Watson pass back presenting a shooting chance for Dobbie but Scott Fox stood tall to block his effort.
There is only so much encouragement Dobbie can be given before he will inflict punishment, as County found to their cost on 12 minutes. Nicky Low angled an excellent ball over the top which Watson was caught underneath, allowing Dobbie to nip in and coolly slot low past Fox from 12 yards.