Report and free match highlights from the cinch Scottish Premiership clash between Kilmarnock and Ross County at Rugby Park as Daniel Armstrong scored an early winner against his former employers to earn three points for Killie
Saturday 22 October 2022 20:46, UK
Former Ross County man Daniel Armstrong came back to haunt his former club, grabbing the winner for Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The Killie winger had a starring role, and his 20th-minute strike into the top corner proved to be the difference in a closely fought encounter.
Both sides had other chances to hit the back of the net, but a combination of lacklustre shooting and strong goalkeeping meant Armstrong made the only breakthrough.
The Staggies were hit by an early setback when Ross Callachan pulled up holding his hamstring just a couple of minutes after the start.
Perhaps that disjointed the visitors somewhat, as they came under plenty of pressure early on.
The tall Kilmarnock side looked a threat at set pieces in particular, and though the opening goal did come from open play, it was still via an aerial route.
Innes Cameron looked to knock the ball on to Armstrong, winning his header well, while Armstrong made the most of indecision from County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw to fire home against his former side.
It could easily have been more, as Killie kept testing out the Staggies backline.
Alex Iacovitti was needed to clear the ball off his own line when Joe Wright went close at a corner, while Cameron and Kerr McInroy each should have done better with chances that ended up safely in Laidlaw's hands.
County did grow into the game as the half-time interval approached, with Jordan White heading one well-worked move a long way wide, before Jordy Hiwula forced a save out of Zach Hemming from a narrow angle.
That momentum continued after the restart, with Owura Edwards forging his own space to shoot from the edge of the box practically straight from the kick-off, but missing the target, while Hemming was called into action again minutes later to keep White's shot out.
However, by the time the hour-mark passed Kilmarnock seemed to have ridden the wave, getting back in control of the ball and the game.
When George Harmon, in his first match back after injury, was forced off with what looked like cramp, Malky Mackay took the chance to change shape and get more bodies forward.
It was not to be, though, as the Staggies fell to their hosts, who now move three points clear of the Dingwall outfit after their victory.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes:
"There's a lot of satisfaction from that win because we felt really angry and frustrated with some of the decisions up at County last time. We lost to an injury time winner. It was a sore one to take, a long journey back and a tough few days after that. County should have been down to nine men. We were angry about that and we mentioned it (pre-match).
"It's only by winning today that we started to feel a bit better about that result. We showed good moments in the first half and showed real togetherness and steeliness which does no harm for the players,seeing games out at Premiership level."
Ross County manager Malky Mackay:
"We were under the cosh for a period, but I thought we dug our way back out of that again for the last 10 or 15 minutes of the first half and that's where we had the three chances. To finish the way we did in the first half, I was pleased and buoyed. I said to them 'let's go for the second half.' I thought we were terrific. We showed real character, to come here and create the amount of chances we did, I can't ask for any more than that.
"We've obviously got to be more clinical. That's clearly without doubt, but if we were coming away from that having not created anything, I would hold my hands up. Maybe they were taking me too literal because I told them to make the goalkeeper make saves - and he made about five."
Kilmarnock are back in action at 3pm on Saturday October 29, when they travel to McDiarmid Park to face St Johnstone. Meanwhile, Ross County return at 3pm on Sunday October 30, when they host Hearts at Dingwall.
