Ross County secured their second win in the KDM Evolution Trophy group stage with a dominant 4-0 victory over Highland League outfit Banks o'Dee on Tuesday night. The result, reported by the Ross-shire Journal, keeps the Staggies in a strong position in the competition and extends their impressive start to the 2026-27 season.
Lewis Jamieson opened the scoring after just nine minutes at the Global Energy Stadium, finishing a low drive from Kieran Phillips's cross. Phillips then turned goalscorer himself in the 27th minute, latching onto a long ball from Oliver Lamont to double the lead. Joe Coyle added a third on the hour mark before Phillips completed the rout from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute after Luke McCarvel was fouled.
How did the match unfold?
The home side controlled proceedings from the outset. Adam Forrester and Phillips combined for an early chance that went just over. After Jamieson's opener, County continued to press. Phillips had a close-range finish ruled out for offside and Forrester saw a shot parried onto the post. Banks o'Dee offered brief threats through Grady McGrath and Hamish Macleod, but goalkeeper Bradley Wade made excellent saves to preserve the clean sheet, including a late stop from a Michael Philipson free-kick.
What does this mean for the KDM Trophy campaign?
This win follows County's opening 2-1 victory at Elgin City two weeks prior. With two wins from two, the Staggies are well-placed to advance from the group phase. The KDM Evolution Trophy provides valuable competitive minutes for the squad as they build momentum across all fronts. You can track the club's progress in all competitions on our fixtures page.
How does this fit into the season's strong start?
The victory is part of a highly positive opening period for Ross County. They have also reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup and, crucially, maintain a 100% record in League One after a 3-1 win over Airdrie last weekend. This form has them sitting at the top of the early standings. Manager Malky Mackay has built a squad with depth and attacking options, as shown by the multiple scorers against Banks o'Dee and the contributions from across the squad.
What comes next for Ross County?
Attention now returns to League One duty as County aim to protect their perfect start. The blend of results across three competitions demonstrates a squad in good rhythm and confidence. Maintaining this consistency will be the focus, with the next match offering another chance to pick up points and extend their lead at the summit. The clean sheet against Banks o'Dee also provides a defensive platform to build upon.
