Kieran Phillips scored twice to help Ross County secure a 4-0 win over Banks O' Dee in the KDM Evolution Trophy. The Staggies' victory at the Global Energy Stadium on August 27, as reported by the club's official website, extends their unbeaten streak to ten games this campaign.
Phillips opened his account for the season and later converted a penalty, while also providing the assist for the opening goal. Lewis Jamieson and substitute Joe Coyle completed the scoring for a dominant County side that has now won seven consecutive matches.
How did Ross County start the match?
Manager Stuart Kettlewell made ten changes from the side that beat Airdrieonians, with only Adam Forrester keeping his place. The reshuffled lineup took just nine minutes to break the deadlock. Josh Reid's long ball forward caused problems for the Highland League visitors, and Phillips played a neat through ball for Lewis Jamieson to finish with his right foot.
County doubled their lead before the half-hour mark. The impressive Adam Forrester sent Phillips clean through on goal, and the English forward made no mistake. Banks O' Dee did threaten occasionally, with Mark Gilmour forcing a save from Brad Wade, but the home side controlled the tempo.
What impact did the substitutes have?
Joe Coyle, an 18-year-old who replaced Chris Hamilton just before the hour mark, scored with his first touch. Richard Chin found him with a precise pass, and Coyle slotted home to make it 3-0. The goal effectively ended the contest.
Luke McCarvel, another substitute, won a penalty after being brought down in the box. Phillips stepped up and confidently placed his spot-kick into the bottom corner to complete his brace. Goalkeeper Brad Wade preserved his clean sheet with a brilliant late save from a Michael Philipson free-kick.
Where does this result leave Ross County?
The win maintains Ross County's perfect start in the KDM Evolution Trophy group stage. This form is a continuation of their strong finish to last season, where they secured their Premiership status. The squad's depth was on full display, with several players getting valuable minutes. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on the club's fixtures page.
Looking at the broader picture, the club's current squad boasts a mix of experience and youth. Key players like captain Keith Watson and top scorer from the previous campaign, Simon Murray, provide a solid foundation. The full roster is available to view on the official squad list.
What is next for the Staggies?
Attention now turns back to league commitments as Ross County prepare for their next Premiership fixture. The team will look to carry this momentum into a busy period of the season. Their current standing in the Scottish Premiership table can be followed on the standings page. The next match is scheduled for September 12th against Hibernian at Easter Road.
