Date	Saturday, 28 September 1996
Competition	Scottish League Division 3
Fixture/Score	Ross County 1:3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Venue	Victoria Park
Attendance	3,598
Referee	Jim McCluskey
Comments	Match Report Report by Derek McGregor for the Daily Record. Ross County 1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3 Jim Calder was more worried about his health than the chance of losing a goal at Victoria Park. And it was the threat to Caley's keeper that will almost certainly lead to the SFA demanding an explanation from Ross County. Referee Jim McCluskey had to stop the game twice early in the second half and demand better stewarding in front of the packed home enclosure. Sitting-duck Calder, 36, it has to be said, was being bombarded mostly by paper rolls--but he confirmed later that coins had also been landing beside him on the penalty spot. Furious County director Kenny Cameron waided into the enclosure to reprimand supporters. And the tannoy announcer pleaded for the missile throwing to stop to prevent the game being abandoned. With seconds, two policemen and three stewards were parked behind Calder's goal. County secretary Donnie MacBean later claimed the coins had been thrown trackside to boost a charity at half time. He said: "We are hopeful the referee won't make too much of what happened in his report." But Calder said: "There were coins being thrown at me. They definitely were Not for the collection." The keeper's nerve looked affected afterwards as he flapped at crosses. That the fans' actions should overshadow the entertainment was criminal. It was the best derby match I've seen since both sides entered the Scottish League. And Caley boss Steve Paterson watched his side deliver a timely psychological blow to County under the new management of Neale Cooper. It was also also Paterson's first win over County after a miserable two points from the four games last season. Iain Stewart netted a superb double to ease fears last term's 24-goal tally was not a flash in the pan. His third-minute first strike was a classic opportunist goal, but his crucial 64th minute second was a peach. County keeper Steve Hutchison was left embarrassed by the little striker's inch-perfect, angled lob from 15 yards. Stewart's goal came just two minutes after County had levelled through Derek Adams. Brian Thomson added an injury time third to set the seal on a deserved victory. Paterson said: "Iain's second goal was among the best I've ever seen him score. "I was delighted for him. He's been left out of a few games lately and his confidence has been low. "It was a big result for me personally. Ross were the only team we didn't beat last season." Stewart beamed: "I also started slowly last season. It can happen that people will think you're a one-season wonder. But the boss has got faith in me and I'll do it for him." Kick-off was delayed five minutes to let in a 3,598 gate which was bigger than all but two games outside of the Premier. Best men on the park were Caley's Paul Cherry, Iain Stewart and Ian McArthur plus County's David MacKay and Billy Ferries. Choked County player-boss Cooper--Experiencing his first Highland Derby--said: "I'm so disappointed for our fans. "It's too early to talk about Caley having a psychological edge over us. There's a long way to go. I'm like anyone else ay the club, I want results Now. "But it's still a bedding-in-period for the team and we need a few more faces."
Ross County
Manager	Robert (Bobby) Wilson
Starting 11	1: Stephen Hutchison, 2: Christopher (Chris) Somerville, 3: Robert (Robbie) Williamson, 4: David MacKay, 5: Johnston Bellshaw, 6: Neale Cooper, 7: Julian Broddle, 8: Derek Adams 1 1, 9: Alexander (Sandy) Ross, 10: Keith (Billy) Ferries, 11: Andrew (Andy) MacLeod
Bench	0: William (Billy) Herd, 0: Kevin Fotheringham, 0: Brian Grant
Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Manager	Steve Paterson
Starting 11	Jim Calder, Mike Teasdale, Paul Cherry 1, Iain McArthur, Mike Noble, Alan Hearcher, Ross Tokley, Iain Stewart 2, Brian Thomson 1, Charlie Christie, David Ross
Bench	Marco De Barros, Scott McLean, Graeme Bennett