F.C. Den Bosch 2 – Ross County F.C. 1
Ross County F.C., in the Netherlands for some preseason training, suffered its first defeat of the preseason in a contentious match at Den Bosch’s training complex in ‘s-Herogenbosch (really, that’s how you spell it!), going down 2-1 to the Erste Divisie side.
County were the first to score when, in the 26th minute, striker Colin McMenamin drove the ball home from just inside the penalty area. This was a well-deserved goal as County had the run of play for most of the first half.
County would hold the lead into halftime, but lost it shortly afterwards when Den Bosch forward Randy Wolters scored for the home side, beating County back-up Joe Malin (first choice keeper Michael Fraser was an unused substitute). It was at this point in the match that the tensions between the two sides bubbled to the surface with several rash tackles being made by both sides. Unfortunately for Ross County, the match official chose to show the first card to County’s midfielder Stuart Kettlewell- and it was red.
The club did its best to bunker in for the remainder of the match to preserve the draw, but a late (88th minute) goal from Den Bosch’s midfielder Maarten Boddaert ultimately gave the win to the Dutch side.
There was some talk among County supporters at the match about Den Bosch getting the majority of the calls during the match and a suggestion that a Den Bosch could have been sent off for a tackle on Paul Lawson in the first half. Be that as it may, the “take-away” from this match is that, when the the teams were at even strength, County looked to be the better side. Moreover, the side County fielded in the match today could probably be called the club’s “B+” squad. As mentioned above, starting goalkeeper Michael Fraser did not play, Ross Tokely and Marc Fitzpatrick started in the back line despite the fact that neither is likely to be a starter when the regular season begins, and forward Steven Craig was unavailable.
County’s next match will be a week from tomorrow when they kick off against Motherwell F.C. at Victoria Park Global Energy Stadium in the first match of the SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE season!!
‘mon the County!!
