RECOLLECTIONS of Dingwall derbies of old before 3pm yesterday would have depended on supporters' persuasion.
Either way, the 5,500 crowd filing through the gates might at least have been united in one sentiment – the resumption of hostilities at
this ground awaited since 2004 was much welcome.
It was without question a day when Derek Adams' side stamped their authority on their great rivals, despite the eventual tense finish. For Adams, the youngest manager in Scottish football, the tactics proved spot-on but the team talk had been written by an opposition player.
"It was a great win for us," said Adams, before referring to Ross Tokely's remarks which queried whether Ross County could maintain momentum in the table. "Obviously, on the morning of the game you get motivation from Ross Tokely, which was great.
But it was a great occasion for Ross-shire with 5,500 people at the game."
For County, Michael Gardyne was simply outstanding although there were no failures at all in their side. The former Celtic reserve's drive and trickery lit up the match and the 23-year-old also headed the decisive second goal.
"Michael Gardyne can do anything he wants to do," Adams stated. "He's got more ability than most give him credit for. Yet he can get even better – he's 23 but he's still learning the game."
County were immediately on the ascendancy from the kick-off, with Gardyne's touch and movement posing questions before they surged ahead with two goals in three minutes.
After 18 minutes, Russell Duncan gave away a silly free-kick for a foul on Gardyne 30 yards out.
Scott Morrison's left-foot strike was ferocious, shaking the underside of bar with County players screaming that the ball had crossed the line.
Home defender Scott Boyd didn't hang around, though, and headed the rebound over the line despite Ryan Esson's connection with a flailing arm.
Within two minutes, the lead was doubled, Scott Morrison curling in a perfect cross for Gardyne to net with a hanging header from six yards.
Almost immediately, the game changed tack, with County withdrawing defensively. Caley Thistle finally found an attacking threat and home keeper Michael McGovern was a touch fortunate to escape with a booking after 28 minutes. He hauled down Adam Rooney just outside the far right edge of his box. From Dougie Imrie's free-kick, Ross Tokely was off-target with a free header.
County also survived a major scare after 57 minutes. Half-time substitute Jonny Hayes left Gary Miller for dead on the left and supplied Richie Foran inside the box. The Irishman's effort beat McGovern only for Scott Morrison to make an incredible clearance off the line.
Hayes also forced a fingertip save from McGovern from the tightest of angles before Adam Rooney crashed in the box under the attentions of Alex Keddie and Richard Brittain eight minutes from the end.
McGovern saved Rooney's penalty but the young Irishman was able to stroke home the rebound to briefly re-ignite Caley's hopes.
Terry Butcher, the Caley Thistle manager, tore into his players after the match. "We've let the whole of Inverness down," he said. "It's bitterly disappointing – I'm in despair. It was the performance from hell."
