Date	Saturday, 18 February 1939
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 6:0 Elgin City
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr R. G. Nicoll
Ross County
Manager	George Barrie
Starting 11	1: Roy Applegate, 2: Roddie Munro, 3: Adam Forsyth, 4: A. MacDonald, 5: George Barrie, 6: J Wood, 7: J Black, 8: ? Fraser, 9: W Murray 3, 10: J.A MacKay, 11: Tommy Urquhart 3
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 6 Elgin City 0 How have the mighty fallen! Elgin City had been tipped for at least a draw at Dingwall on Saturday. Ross County, playing their best game at Victoria Park, had other views. And there was that 8-2 defeat at Elgin, which rankles less today. A 6-0 win for the County exceeded expectations. Still, the County working with automatic precision, were worth it all. Right through it was team work, with play adjusted to a muddy pitch. The defence was stone-wall; the mid-line reliable in defence and attack, and the front line elusive as wizards with Murray, deputising for Gowl (on the sick list) the "Scarlet Pimpernel" of the five. Murray, like "Bobs," is "a terror for his size." With three attendants closed in on him, he repeatedly eluded the lot on several occasions and twice had only the goalkeeper to beat. But why individualise, except to say that Barrie once more proved his quiet but greatly effective power both as a stopper and placer. Barrie won the toss and took advantage of a sinking sun, which, however, was soon hidden behind the clouds and therefore no trouble to Elgin City. There was no wind, but the ground was in a very sodden condition, some spots being water-logged. The result was that the ball soon became heavy and when it landed on the soft ground, it played tricks which the players could not anticipate. In the first few seconds there was intense excitement. From a long pass from the rear, Murray, centre-forward, got away. He side-stepped Brown and ran in. Johnstone came out of his charge and Murray kicked the ball against the latter's body. It might easily have been a goal. Murray had a second run two minutes later and Johnstone was glad to tip the ball over the cross-bar. A melee resulted from the corner kick, but ultimately the ball was scraped clear. At the other end Applegate was lucky to get his foot in the way of a great drive by Cruickshank. Ross County, however, was more effective on the heavy ground than their opponents. Barrie was playing a great forcing game and on one occasion his shot from 30 yards just went over. He was heartily cheered for his effort. Considering the state of the ground, the pace, up to this point, was remarkably fast. A goal by Ross County looked inevitable and when they got it they deserved it. Indeed, when Urquhart beat Johnstone the goal was overdue. Ross County were now playing confidently and for a period they gave the Elgin defence an unenviable time. Mackay missed a good scoring opportunity when he shot over. Then Johnstone was beaten a second time, but the ball lay on the mud in front of goal till Phinn stepped in and cleared—a lucky let-off. But the score was only delayed. Murray forced a corner on the right, took the kick himself and Urquhart planted the ball in the net. There was little of Elgin City seen at this time. The halves were overwhelmed, and the forwards, when they did get away, were poor finishers. Barrie, Forsyth and Munro put up a stubborn defence and Applegate, when called upon, was very safe. He had one particularly good save when he stopped a shot from Ralph. Then Black and Murray made a hash of a great chance. With only the goalkeeper in front of them they got so mixed up, or excited, that between them they placed the ball on the wrong side of the post. Murray made amends immediately after. Johnstone ran out to meet him as he advanced. He made no error this time. He dribbled past the goalkeeper and sent the ball into an empty net. Just on half-time, Murray scored a fourth goal. Phinn completely missed a strong pass forward by Macdonald and Murray ran in to benefit. Resuming with a lead of four goals, Ross County were inclined to take things easy. There were loud shouts from the spectators to "play up" and to "mark your man." For a period Elgin City improved, but past Barrie the forwards could not get. Another fault was that they inclined to "big shooting" instead of getting into position. There was no doubt of their eagerness, but they were distinctly up against a superior team. Maclennan was very active at centre, but Barrie did not give him an inch in which to move. The ground was now taking its toll and the pace slackened considerably. Elgin City did attack spasmodically, but they never looked really dangerous. The County, on the other hand, looked like scoring every time they advanced. Black had a great effort spoiled by a side post, but Murray got a fifth and his own third when tackled by Phinn and while in the act of falling he lofted the ball into the top corner of the net. Johnstone never got a bigger surprise. Urquhart completed the debacle when he connected with a Black shot, which rebounded from the cross-bar and drove the ball home. As the twenty-two players retired to the pavilion they looked very tired. Gordon was Elgin's best man and he worked hard. Barrie, however, was the best man on the field. Murray and Urquhart and Black were outstanding. Fraser, the new man from Evanton will improve. Where can three better halves be got than Macdonald, Barrie and Wood.