Date	Saturday, 12 September 1992
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 4:2 Deveronvale
Venue	Victoria Park
Attendance
Referee	J. Wilson
Comments	Match Report Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 4 Deveronvale 2 When Deveronvale took the lead in the third minute of their Press and Journal Highland League match with Ross County at Victoria Park, Dingwall, on Saturday, all kinds of thoughts were conjured up in the minds of County fans. The main one probably was that this was not going to be County's day. After all they were playing the league leaders unbeaten over six games, but then someone remarked that the Vale had yet to be tested by the big-guns. The Banff team is presently undergoing a revival and is bolstering its playing staff with not a little talent and experience from senior clubs, their latest acquisitions being on show that day. Besides the man at the Vale helm as manager is the irrepressible former ace striker with Aberdeen and Scotland, Joe Harper, as astute a character as they come. A goal within the first five minutes; a dead-ball situation; a header at the far post, and into one's mind came the sight of the first goal in Scotland's World Cup match with Switzerland on the Wednesday night, when Scotland and their fans were rocked back on their heels with a well-placed header from a corner kick on the right. Ross County had been penalised for a tackle on their left flank--the Deveronvale right--some 25 yards out. The far post cross took the ball unerringly to Eddie WOLECKI, whose downward header landed in the net behind a bemused Hutcheson, who was not too pleased that tabs had not been kept on the player in question. Yes, the goal had all the hallmarks of the Swiss opening effort on Wednesday, but what was to follow? Would history repeat itself on the green sward of Victoria Park? Ross County buckled to and proceeded to play with the flair and confidence which took them so far in the past two seasons, with Gordon Connelly at his most scintillating, producing his old skills as he tore gaps in the Vale defence with the neatness of his footwork and positional sense, providing passes, which opened the way on many occasions for his colleagues. And this from a player upon whose fitness some doubt had been expressed, as he was receiving treatment for a painful back injury. This period was to prove one of County's purple patches. The second came in the opening twenty minutes of the second half, when they had swept into a two-goal lead, after which they appeared to concentrate on defence and allowed their opponents come at them. In the early stages of the game following their opening set-back, County set to with a will to come to terms with the situation they found themselves in. Billy Ferries just missed with a header in the 19th minute, but as keeper Hughes palmed out the ball, Alan DUFF gained possession and smacked it home from inside the six yard box for the County equaliser. Other opportunities fell to the feet of the striker before the half closed, but he failed to make the most of them. Billy Ferries came close with another header which the keeper cleared as County continued to grow in confidence. Gary Campbell came through another time, but his far post cross found no takers. As the first period closed, Deveronvale came into their own for a time, but the County defence were coping with situations as they developed. Highland Football prides itself on its own high standard, but pity the newcomer who under-estimates the pace and quality of football above the Highland Line. John Holt, the former Dundee United and Forfar player, who was making his debut for Deveronvale, received his baptism of Highland fire on Saturday, and learned from the experience. He looked ordinary on the day, and did little to stamp his authority on the piece, but now has a high respect for Highland League football. Once he finds his feet he should prove an invaluable asset to his new club. In the opening ten minutes of the second half, Ross County went ahead with two first class goals. The first from Billy FERRIES was skilfully taken as he cut his way into centre field on a pass from Cammie Robertson, before cracking the ball past the keeper. Billy is coming into his own again--he has the ability to take on an opponent, accelerate away from him, and provide the inch-perfect cross. However, one had occasion to wonder why when twice in an open position on the wing presence was ignored as a quickly delivered pass in his direction would have split the defence completely allowing him take the ball cleanly down the wing to provide a better chance of a score. As it was s colleague took on the might of the defence in centre-field with few options open latterly as the defence closed in on him. Billy had the pace on his young opponent, so much so that latterly two men were delegated to the task of screening him. Anyway he steered County into the lead with a first class goal. Shortly after this, Brian GRANT put them into what should have been Easy Street with a brilliant effort from another Robertson pass through the centre. Deveronvale mounted a recovery after this set-back, and for twenty minutes they took the game to their opponents, who seemed to lack total commitment as they prepared to defend what they had, and allowed Vale dictate play. Several promising attacks led to goal-mouth pressure and clearances at all cost as defenders blocked their goal-line for corner-kicks, most times to the detriment of keeper Hutcheson, in his efforts to clear the ball. In the 65th minute, the visitors' pressure told, when the keeper could not get to a corner kick which was dropping on the goal-line, and FORBES headed the ball home. An equaliser was not beyond the bounds of possibility even with time running out, but then Alan Duff broke upfield in the 88th minute, and found Brian GRANT in space with an inch-perfect pass. Noting the keeper coming off his line, Brian lobbed him from twenty yards for a great goal. Ross County should be satisfied with this victory, but as the manager Bobby Wilson stated at the week-end, he is concerned by what he described as County's "patchy form" over the 90 minutes. The players have been doing just enough to get results, but he would be happier if they could sustain a higher level of play for longer spells. On the whole, how-ever, he is pleased with the way things are going.
Ross County
Manager	Robert (Bobby) Wilson
Starting 11	1: Stephen Hutchison, 2: Christopher (Chris) Somerville, 3: Gary Campbell, 4: Alexander (Sandy) MacLeod, 5: Johnston Bellshaw, 6: Jamie MacPherson, 7: Keith (Billy) Ferries 1, 8: Brian Grant 2, 9: Alan Duff 1, 10: Gordon Connelly, 11: Cameron Robertson
Bench	0: Robert (Robbie) Williamson, 0: Gary Ross