Date	Saturday, 21 January 1939
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 5:2 Forres Mechanics
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr W. Sutherland
Ross County
Manager	George Barrie
Starting 11	1: M Murray, 2: Roddie Munro, 3: A Jack, 4: A. MacDonald, 5: George Barrie, 6: J Wood, 7: J Black 1, 8: J.A MacKay 1, 9: Ernest Gowl 1, 10: W Murray 2, 11: Tommy Urquhart
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 5 Forres Mechanics 2 This game took place at Dingwall. Ross County had some difficulty in fixing their team. Neither Applegate nor Somerville were available for goal. This gave an opportunity to M. Murray of the Invergordon Juniors. Gillies was also unable to turn out and W. Murray, who usually plays on the left wing, took his place, T. Urquhart, in turn, filling the vacancy at outside left. Forres Mechanics also had to make last minute changes. Thain could not take the pivotal position and he was substituted by Burr. Maclennan had to be drafted in to take Clark's place at inside left. The game opened at a fast pace and there was sensation at once. Black got away on the right and he tested French with a strong shot. Forres retaliated and within five minutes they had opened their account. The ball was lobbed into goal. It came out to Whyte, who instantly shot and the ball went into the net past the foot of the post. Murray had little chance to save it. Next it was the County's turn and for a period they pressed most persistently. The opening out work was done by W. Murray and Black was the raider. The latter had one glorious shot which French blindly stretching out his left arm to its fullest, tipped the ball with his fingers to divert it past. Nothing ensued from the resultant corner, Wood driving over the bar. The equaliser was due and when W. Murray proved successful it was deserved. It was really Gow's goal. His pass forward to Murray, who was unmarked, let the little fellow away on his own. French could only pick the ball out of the net. The Mechanics were always dangerous when in front of goal and the County backs, supported by Barrie, had a strenuous time. So too had the Forres defence and Macgill, on many occasions, was glad to kick the ball out to relieve the pressure. Ross County were inclined to be a little hurried when they got the ball and were unchallenged. They punted it forward when a short run and a pass to a waiting colleague might have paid better. When the County took the lead it was unexpected, but Urquhart deserves every credit. He chased a ball that was apparently going past, caught it on the line and lofted it into goal. With French out of position, Black walked it through, although many thought that it was going in without assistance. Within a minute the scores were again level. From a free kick the ball landed at the feet of Duncan within the penalty area. He sent the ball hard along the ground and goalkeeper Murray failed to get down to it in time. After Murray was seconds late in taking advantage of a possible chance, Munro at the other end was so sore put to it that he stopped a hot shot with his hand. Dickie took the penalty kick, but sent the ball straight at Murray, who brought off a spectacular save. Just on half-time Black, who was playing cleverly, crossed to Gow, who scored with a terrific shot. Resuming, neither team showed superiority for a time. Both defences had steadied up as the pace of the forwards slackened. This was excusable considering the heavy state of the ground and the equally heavy ball. Macdonald gave French a fright, but the latter was able to punch clear. The visitors were unfortunate when Macgill pulled a muscle. He retired for repairs and on resuming went to outside left. This somewhat took the heart out of Forres, and when Mackay scored a fourth goal the game was practically finished. The goal was a brilliant one. Connecting thirty yards away, Mackay sent in a great drive. The ball caught the under part of the cross-bar, leaving French helpless. It was the best goal of the day. Forres did attack on occasions, but the Ross defence had the measure of the forwards and with M. Murray full of confidence and the backs cool and collected the attackers were given little rope. Near the end Black ran through the Forres defence. French partially cleared the shot but Murray netted. Result—Ross County, 5; Forres Mechanics, 2. It was a hard, gruelling game, fought out at a great pace till well in the second half, when the players visibly tired. Beyond doubt, on the day, the County were the superior team. This was due in a great measure to the half-back line. Ross County are fortunate to possess such men. Barrie was seldom seen, but very much present. He was overwhelming as a stopper, while on many occasions he placed the ball to great advantage. Black especially benefited in this respect. Little complaint could be found with the defence. Mistakes were made but both backs recovered well. For a first game in the seniors, M. Murray did splendidly. He might have saved the second goal, but similar shots have beaten goalkeepers of reputation. W. Murray and Black carried off the honours in front. The former gave the opposing defence no peace. He distributed the play well and he had a perfect understanding with Gow. Black was in his element and Sutherland must have been glad when the final whistle blew. He was no match for the winger. Gow, Mackay and Urquhart did their share of the work, although not appearing so brilliant as the other two. Till he was injured, Macgill, a great player, was the best man in the opposition. Had he been at centre-half, his proper place, a different complexion might have been given to the game. He was not at home at right back. French did well for a youngster, but Sutherland can do much better. The wing halves were good without being outstanding. The best of the forwards were the extreme wing men. It was a sporting game, played by sportsmen.