On Saturday, Ross County battled until the end for a stunning late equaliser with Livingston. They earned the equalizer courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty, expertly converted by Ronan Hale. The match was played at the Global Energy Stadium. Ross County battled impressively against relegation and were a considerable distance from the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.
The game played out in hostile surroundings with both sides managing to steal important points off each other. Danny Wilson then had Livingston ahead just before the break with a vital goal for his side. The momentum shifted in the second half as Ross County battled back to level the score.
At the heart of it all was Ronan Hale. He squandered a fantastic chance with an overhead kick that went high over the bar. Such was his importance that, deep into stoppage time, he proved the difference between a draw and a win. After Wilson committed a foul on Jordan White, Hale knew without hesitation that he would be taking the penalty. He blasted the ball past a diving goalkeeper and into the net, delivering the needed draw for his team.
As the game went on, more players stepped up to welcome the drama. First, Dylan Smith cut inside from the left and tested Livingston’s goalkeeper Jerome Prior with a low shot that was well kept behind for a corner. Will Nightingale opened the scoring with a thumping downward header. Prior owned it, clawing it off the line, preventing what would have been a game–changing opener.
Just after the restart, Scott Pittman tried to restore Livingston’s lead with a low shot that forced Ross County keeper Jordan Amissah into a good save. Robbie Muirhead was handed a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring. Regrettably, he scorched the shot over from only six yards away after a cross found its way to his boot.
Ross County’s manager, Don Cowie, was understandably disappointed after the game. He was attuned to the emotional chaos happening in the course of the game. By all accounts home fans in particular were left feeling irate at the late late penalty reversal.
“Emotions are high at that point, the home fans obviously disappointed they’ve conceded a penalty so late on in the game. Frustrated and having been part of football for a long time you can accept people coming over and maybe saying a few things.” – Don Cowie
Ross County were unchanged from their previous game against Motherwell. This decision further demonstrates that there is no distance too great to undermine their efforts toward maintaining consistency in performance.
Livingston’s manager David Martindale spoke out on the abuse, which was hurled at the players by supporters in the aftermath of the match. He criticized the actions of one specific supporter, speaking out against it if in his eyes it doesn’t represent the majority of the cosmopolitan and diverse fanbase.
“I’m not really too versed about what happened but from what I’ve heard, it’s disgusting, it’s vile,” – David Martindale
Martindale said he was disappointed and sorry on behalf of the club. He committed them to the right actions and everyone believed.
“It’s not a reflection on our full fanbase, it’s an individual but it’s really disappointing. I can just apologise on behalf of the club. I’m sure the powers that be at the club will deal with it promptly and efficiently.” – David Martindale
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