Date	Friday, 28 April 1989
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Caledonian FC 0:1 Ross County
Venue	Telford Street
Referee
Ross County
Manager	Robert (Bobby) Wilson
Starting 11	1: Ross Cathcart, 2: Christopher (Chris) Somerville, 3: Scott Lemmon 1, 4: Cameron Robertson, 5: Alan Brown, 6: Don Cowie (SNR), 7: Keith (Billy) Ferries, 8: Barry Wilson, 9: James MacKay, 10: Gordon Connelly, 11: Albert Allan
Bench	0: David MacRae, 0: Davie Jackson
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Caledonian FC 0 Ross County 1 STEADFAST Ross County supporters — a handful of them — let their hair down on Friday evening at Telford Street Park, Inverness, and they, as much as the determination and resoluteness of their team, brought about another famous victory over Caley. A quartet — all over the age of sixty — had a wonderful time cheering on their team, "chastising" the referee for some of his decisions, and, with hearts in their mouths, wondering on two occasions if, given his baleful expression in their direction, he was going to come over to them on the former “jam factory” side of Telford Park and take their names for continually interrupting his concentration and train of thought. That same referee was to act the next day as one of the linesmen at the Aberdeen-Celtic match at Pittodrie. Yes, the old-timers let their hair down and let rip with their support in a game that had their adrenaline pumping overtime, so much so that one would have attributed the following day’s lethargy to the “vocalizing” of the night before, and the nervous tension created by “playing” every ball, pass, and shot of the previous night! It was a most satisfying end to the season for Ross County fans. Their team had essentially whitewashed the Inverness clubs this season. Of the six games played, Ross County had victory in five, the odd one out being the recent match with Inverness Thistle at Dingwall, when Thistle caught County at a disadvantage. Still, the double over Caley gives supporters the most satisfaction. As for Friday's old-timers, the state of two of them was such that by full-time their voices were a mere croak—painful, but worth it—discomfort honourably gained! The standard of football was nothing spectacular, but it was first-class entertainment presented by two clubs intent on finishing. The standard of football was no great shakes, but it was first-class entertainment presented by the two clubs intent on finishing the season with a victory. County were put under all sorts of pressure in the opening period. Their defence soaked up everything thrown their way, and soon the visitors were probing away at the home defenders, causing no little discomfort in their fleeting attacks. The close marking of Caley’s left back MacAllister, son of Billy MacAllister, Northern Editor of the Press & Journal, and grandson of the late Tom Mac Allister, Dingwall, who at one time kept goal for Ross County, curbed Billy Ferries for a considerable time, and he switched wings now and then to advantage. However, in the second half, Ferries had the measure of his opponents, and supporters were treated to some of his quicksilver dashes down the wing with defenders trailing in his wake. Two such moves were deserving of some reward, the first when he broke past a defender and was brought down “professionally”, when he was on and away on a free run on goal. On the second occasion a spell of interpassing between Chris Somerville and Ferries saw the latter cross the perfect pass to the far post, where Barry Wilson, unfortunately, hit the ball wide, when it seemed the easiest of tasks to put it between the posts. However, these incidents were in the closing quarter of the game. The events which preceded them were every bit as exciting, as Caley pressure was being eased by a determined defence, who combined well in frustrating the best efforts of Caley. King-pin outfield was Alan Brown, who was here, there and everywhere assisting, when the need arose, covering and clearing with the coolness of a veteran many years older. In goal, young Ross Cathcart, from Alness, who began the season as a right back with the reserves, grows in stature with every game, displaying good handling ability, anticipation, strength and direction in his kicking, and a fearlessness not a little accounted for by his determination that he will get the ball when he goes for it. Over the past season, James Mackay has stood out in the reserve team as a play-maker and perfect distributor of the ball. These abilities were in evidence on Friday, with several telling passes, the most significant of which was the one from which the County goal came. James took the ball out to the left and cut in along the goalline to draw it sweetly and smoothly on to the head of Scott Lemmon as he advanced on to the six-yard line to nod it powerfully into the net. Joy knew no bounds in the County camp, the counter coming just on half-time. The first half was noted for the number of times the referee had recourse to cautioning and taking the names of players for talking back, tackles and other incidents, his actions interrupting the otherwise smooth flow of play. On occasions there was some inconsistency in his decisions, but for the most part Ross County was at the wrong end of his pen! Peterhead are this year’s League champions with a total of 74 points from 34 games. However, all things considered, had County not lost three important home games, had fixtures not been cancelled and continuity lost, then they might well have been titleholders. As it is they occupy 8th place in the 18-club league, with a total of 57 points to their credit.