Whilst most of the football world focused their attention last weekend on the FA Cup final at Wembley between Portsmouth and Chelsea, the focus north of the border in Scotland was very much on the Active Nation Scottish Cup Final between Ross County and Dundee United – and Noelinho couldn’t resist but go along to Hampden and see the game out.
Ross County had never before got past the last sixteen in the Scottish Cup, let alone made the final or won it. However, en route to the final this year, they put out first Hibernian, and then Celtic. Not bad for a first division team! Dundee United, meanwhile, went into the tie as firm favourites, having beaten Rangers in a replay in the quarter finals, before comfortably putting away Raith Rovers in the semi finals. Everyone knew County were capable of producing an upset, though few really expected it. That said, many neutrals – including myself – were hoping for a Ross County win, and the club sold over 18,000 tickets for the match, although quite how many of them were closet Inverness Caledonian Thistle fans hoping to watch County get pummelled isn’t quite so well known…
It was great to see so many people packed into Hampden Park for the match, especially considering the lack of any Old Firm in the match. In some ways, it added to the anticipation – the Highlanders hugely excited by the occasion, the Dundee United fans anticipating their first Scottish Cup win in sixteen years.
The match, when it finally started after the formalities of introductions and fireworks, was a little cagey. Ross County did look a little unsettled by the occasion and struggled to string many passes together. The crowd were in good voice as they watched Dundee United controlling possession, looking comfortable, but without producing much in the way of end product. A few marginal decisions seemed to go United’s way, but there was no real controversy. As the first half came to a close, United upped the quality, winning a couple of free kicks and corners, but the end product was tame. At half time, both teams would have been please – Ross County, at 0-0, were still in the game, and Dundee United, although not leading, hadn’t been troubled.
The second half started in a similar vein. Dundee United looked comfortable and Ross County looked to be struggling for composure and inspiration. However, around the hour mark, they found more confidence, especially on the counter attack, with a couple of good runs, getting in to the United box. Unfortunately, this also became their undoing, as they were then caught a little on the hop by the Arabs. After a panic from Michael McGovern in the Ross County goal, United’s David Goodwillie ended up with the ball and lobbed it over the head of the stranded goalkeeper and defenders chasing back.
Once United had their noses in front, it was always going to be an uphill battle for the Highlanders. It was always going to be the killer blow. As they desperately tried to find an equaliser, Dundee United punished them in clinical fashion. Craig Conway – who was, in the end, the Man of the Match – had caused the Ross County defence problems all day with his speed, and as the weary County legs faded, he punished them twice, scoring a late brace and making it a 3-0 victory to Dundee United.
In the end, it was a fair enough scoreline. It wasn’t the best game of football you’ll ever see, but it wasn’t bad either.* County certainly didn’t disgrace themselves and their supporters gave them a warm reception at the end of the match. All eyes will be on Ross County next season to see if they can make the jump to the SPL, and if they do, hopefully in a more successful manner than Livingston and Gretna…
* A little comment on the quality of football matches. So many people complain about the poor quality of football matches today! How often have you heard people moaning about a match that was boring, scrappy, or, “the worst I’ve ever seen”? A tip to those people: stop watching teams like Arsenal and Barcelona. You are clearly spoilt by watching those teams, and your expectations from matches are too high. Real football matches are rarely like watching Barcelona and Arsenal, as any fan who stands in the terraces – or, heaven forbid, sits in a poxy little covered seat in the main stand – will testify!