Date	Saturday, 04 February 1939
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 9:4 Fraserburgh
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr. Tom MacLean
Ross County
Manager	George Barrie
Starting 11	1: Roy Applegate, 2: Adam Forsyth, 3: Roddie Munro, 4: A. MacDonald, 5: Neil Gillies, 6: J Wood, 7: J Black 1, 8: J.A MacKay 1, 9: Ernest Gowl 6, 10: W Murray 1, 11: Tommy Urquhart
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 9 Fraserburgh 4 At the last moment several changes had to be made in the loss County team. Barrie, who was suffering from a chill, did not turn out. Neil Gillies was taken from the front line and put at centre-half. Murray took Gillies' place and T. Urquhart went outside left in place of Murray. Fraserburgh had some difficulty in getting eleven to travel the long distance, with the result that four juniors had to be drafted into the team. This was an extraordinary game. It was no display of outstanding merit, but the number of goals scored was abnormal. There were thirteen in all, of which Ross County claimed nine and Fraserburgh four. But what was more pertinent was not the goals that were scored but the opportunities of scoring that were missed. The total on either side could have been double figures, with the home team always predominant. The scoring started early. Within the first three minutes County went ahead, a perfect Murray pass leaving Gowl with a chance which he took full advantage of. Two minutes later Gowl converted a cross from Murray, who, with his super energy, had run out to the right wing. Disconcerted though they might have been, Fraserburgh rallied, but Munro would not be nonplussed and he defied every attack. A clean run through by Gowl saw Black force the ball over for a corner. It proved abortive, but the clearance went to Wood, who returned the ball into goal. Murray connected with his head and although goalkeeper Duthie tried to get down to it, he was not in time and Fraserburgh were three down. Murray was in great form. He was all over the field, turning up at the most unexpected places and completely mesmerising the defence. One of his centres to Gowl saw the goalkeeper and Noble in a mix-up. Gowl simply pushed the ball into the net. In the outfield Fraserburgh were almost equal in the quality of play to their opponents, but their finishing was their downfall. It was most ineffective and they gave the Ross County defence very little trouble. At the other end Black finished off a great run with a fine shot, which Duthie cleared at the expense of a corner. Wood just failed to convert with a shot which scraped the top of the crossbar. Fraserburgh got a little compensation when a free kick taken by Walker fell at W. Bruce's feet. He made no mistake and Applegate was beaten. This reprieve was short-lived, for within minutes Ross County had recovered the leeway. Getting a forward pass from Murray, Gowl beat two opponents before he sent the ball past Duthie. Just on half-time Gowl sent in a soft shot, which Duthie fumbled. Half-time result: Ross County, 6; Fraserburgh, 1. The second half started sensationally. From the kick-off, Gowl passed to Mackay. The two players took the ball up, and each kicked it twice. On connecting with the ball the third time, Mackay drove it into the net. It was a magnificent effort, but it is one that will not be seen again for many a day. The rest of the game is easily told. Forsyth gave away a silly penalty, from which J. Duthie put the visitors two up. W. Bruce followed shortly after with a third, which was the result of a mistake by the defence. By this time it should be noted, however, that Forsyth had been injured in the groin. He went outside right and Mackay went back, which somewhat upset the formation of the team, which did not continue to work so evenly. Nevertheless, County were awarded a penalty, but Mackay was merciful. Black followed up with a beautiful effort, which counted; J. Duthie later made Fraserburgh's total four and Gowl followed with his sixth, which made his team's total nine. But amongst all this galaxy of goals, what opportunities were missed—and by both teams. For Ross County T. Urquhart was the worst sinner. He had three great opportunities. Black also failed unaccountably, but the biggest surprise was Murray. He had absolutely run himself off his feet. With no one to beat but the goalkeeper, he could not get the ball out of the mud. But by that time he had played his part. He was, beyond doubt, the hero of the game. He was responsible for the majority of his team's goals. It would not be fair to criticise the players. Ross County had a day out; Fraserburgh had a day off. Both teams have on many occasions shown better football.