Keith Watson: Red card changed the game for Ross County against St Mirren
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Ross County defender Keith Watson believes Josh Reid’s red card marked the turning point in their defeat to St Mirren.
Buddies goalkeeper Jak Alnwick was the busier of the two stoppers in the first half, but that changed when County were reduced to 10 men – and then compounded when they went down to nine around the hour mark.
For Watson, things were going well until conceding the numbers advantage gave them an uphill task.
“It was a difficult game, the boys put a lot of effort into it,” he reasoned.
“We started really well, we created a lot of chances but we didn’t take them.
“Obviously the sending off changes the game, and we had another one in the second half, so it was always going to be difficult.”
Even with 10 men, the Staggies would have had every reason to feel they could claim points.
An energy-sapping saturated pitch did them no favours either, but Watson took some positives from the graft that County put in.
“Whatever they had to throw at us, we dealt with it well,” Watson explained.
“It was a tough shift, the boys had to put in a lot of graft, but when we lose another player – especially on a soaking pitch – it’s really difficult.
“We were penned in at times, and we defended well, but they got a ricochet and it went in.
“It’s tough with nine men, but the boys all worked really hard. I thought we showed a real togetherness, we were fighting and chasing everything.
“That first goal was always going to be vital, and they got a deflection. It’s a hard one to take.”
The conditions may have meant a few more stiff bodies than normal, but focus now has to turn to Hibernian tomorrow night.
“The conditions weren’t great, it wasn’t the prettiest of games,” Watson added.
“We just need to recover now, the games are coming thick and fast – we have a difficult game on Wednesday, and we need to try and prepare for that.”
