Ross County safely through to Betfred Cup second round
Ross County 2 (Graham x2)
Forfar Athletic 0
Ross County secured their place in the second round of the Betfred Cup with a comfortable win over Forfar Athletic.
The Premiership newcomers made it a clean sweep of group wins thanks to a double from Brian Graham.
County were in full control in the first half, moving the ball about quickly and staying patient while looking for their opportunity.
Michael Gardyne was at the heart of several chances, going close after just five minutes.
He found some space with a display of quick footwork, but his lef-footed shot went over the bar.
County would take the lead after 15 minutes though through what was a typically slick team move.
The ball was played forward to Brian Graham, who chested it down for Billy Mckay. The Northern Ireland international found his path to goal blocked though, so instead he elected to tee up Gardyne on the edge of the box whose wayward shot found Graham, who converted.
Ian Vigurs was the pendulum that made the Staggies tick in the middle of the park, as his range of passing was at times outstanding.
He was complemented well in central midfield by Harry Paton, who set about proving that he can be the successor to Jamie Lindsay with his energy and confidence on the ball.
The only drawback for County in the opening half was the distribution of their centre backs, with Liam Fontaine and Callum Morris giving the ball away on a few occasions without being punished.
Forfar started to see more of the ball at the start of the second half, forcing Fontaine and Morris into some important blocks.
But it did not last, and by the hour mark the Staggies were the ones back in control.
With just under 15 minutes left on the clock, the Staggies would double their advantage.
Marcus Fraser put a cross into the box, and Graham was there to power home the header.
County tried to break Forfar down for a third, but the intensity level dropped with the result apparently settled, and the full time whistle was blown with the score still at 2-0.
