Logan torments County yet again
ROSS COUNTY 1 Curran (2) ABERDEEN 2 Reynolds (23), Logan (71)
ABERDEEN went to Ross County hoping for a May day.
Instead, they enjoyed another Shay day. Dons full-back Shay Logan notched his fourth goal in four visits to Dingwall – and his sixth in total against the Staggies – as Derek McInnes’ side made it two wins from two in the Premiership.
Having fallen behind to Craig Curran’s early opener, Aberdeen, with £ 400,000 capture Stevie May making his debut, had to graft their way to three points.
For Logan in particular, who held his hands up over gifting County their opener, the way the Reds went about it was satisfying.
“I like it here,” joked the Dons’ County-tormentor in chief.
“But it was needed after the start that I made – I gave the free-kick away and lost Craig for their goal. It feels that extra bit sweeter to score the winner when it was my fault for the first goal.
“I always feel confident against Ross County. I don’t know why, they just must be my team. Even after I gave the goal away today I thought I would definitely have a chance.
“I had one where Michael Gardyne has pulled me back and referee has missed it. But I just thought: ‘Next one’. I got a free run at it and got something on it, and luckily enough it was the match winner.”
The Dons’ summer revamp has made headlines, but they struggled to make headway early on.
By contrast, the Staggies came flying out of the traps and snatched their shock opener when Craig Curran nodded Christopher Routis’ teasing freekick past the flailing Joe Lewis.
Curran’s quick- fire strike didn’t dampen the spirits of the travelling support, which was buoyed by the inclusion from the start of May.
The former St Johnstone, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End star quickly set about proving his worth by winning the corner kick from which the Dons equalised.
Greg Tansey stepped up after May’s cross was put behind by Andrew Davies, whipping in a dangerous ball that that County could only half clear.
Their error was punished by the lurking Mark Reynolds who dashed forward to send a thunderous volley past Staggies stopper Scott Fox.
Derek McInnes’ side carved out a golden opportunity to take the lead on 54 minutes when May was sent scampering toward the by- line by Graeme Shinnie.
The striker’s cross was perfectly placed for Greg Stewart at the back post, but his free header was saved acrobatically by Fox before Davies scooped the loose ball off the line.
Minutes later, May passed up another gilt- edged chance, firing the rebound high and wide from close range after Tansey’s curling free kick struck the post.
The Dons scented blood and started pressing higher up the park.
They were rewarded with 19 minutes to go when Logan ghosted in at the back post to nod home Gary Mackay-Steven’s cross.
Substitute Jim O’Brien cracked the bar at the death as the Staggies pushed for an equaliser.
But Highland gaffer Jim McIntyre was ultimately left to lament the way his side fell out of the game.
“I thought we started well, made a couple of good moves, scored a good goal,” he said.
“I was really pleased with that side of things, but we were up against a good side. As all good sides do they came into the game, but I thought we were guilty of going too long too quick.”