Date	Saturday, 09 January 1937
Competition	Inverness Cup
Fixture/Score	Ross County 2:4 Inverness Thistle
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr. T. Maclean
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: R MacNeil, 2: J.A MacKay, 3: Roddie Munro, 4: W.G Ross, 5: Robert Corbett, 6: Roddie Garrow, 7: D Bowie, 8: J.G MacKay, 9: Morgan MacKay 2, 10: J.A Ross, 11: D. Ross
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the North Star. Ross County 2 Inverness Thistle 4 In this cup-tie at Victoria Park, Dingwall, on Saturday, Ross County put up a gallant first half fight but in the end they had to submit to a 4-2 defeat. The return game, the cup being played on the home and away principle, will take place later in the season. Considering the playing conditions, a waterlogged pitch and greasy ball, the teams provided a good game, which was punctuated with numerous exciting goalmouth scenes. At times the Thistle's goal underwent narrow escapes, while the home citadel had its share of anxious moments. Although both keepers were favoured by fortune, the ball hitting the posts and crossbar, nevertheless they came out of their trying ordeal with credit, their displays being outstanding by several brilliant clearances. On the afternoon's play, the respective defences proved sound, particularly Munro, the home left back. He was a tireless worker and repeatedly cleared his lines cleverly. The centre-halves, Corbett and Ballantyne were dominating figures. The former played a rousing game during the first half but after the interval he seemed to tire and his play suffered in consequence. On his return to senior football Garrow put in a lot of good work, but lack of staying the pace also had its effects towards the close of play. In fact, the Thistle won the cup-tie because their superior training gave them that important reserve of strength in the final minutes. In reviewing the attack, one must give the praise to the Thistle. As a line they were superior to their opponents, being much better balanced. The visitors had not one weak forward. That could not be said about the County. Their wingers (Bowie and D. Ross), were disappointing and they did not compare favourably with Thistle's lively Kay and Macdonald, the latter a former Ross County player. The craft of Pyke (Thistle) and J. A. Ross (County) was a pleasing feature, and it was a pity that Ross failed to maintain his opening brilliancy, otherwise the home attack would have retained its briskness to the finish, instead of showing a decided falling off. That the re-introduction of Gowl as centre-forward proved a success, was not surprising. He had every support from his clubmates. Morgan Mackay was not so happily placed. Had he been backed by two effective wingers, he would have been much more effective, and his scoring feat would not have been confined to two smartly taken goals. Thistle opened briskly but within a few minutes Ross County sprung a great surprise by taking the lead. Mackay miskicked and getting possession Morgan Mackay easily beat Sherlaw with a fast ground shot. This infused more spirit into the game, and D. Ross, the County outside left, missed a fine opening by shooting recklessly when well placed. Pressing at the home end, Pyke tested Macneil with a hard drive. At this time both teams were well matched. Gradually, however, the visitors became more eager and the home defenders had to be at their best to keep their opponents at bay. Ultimately the Thistle equalised through Gowl, who managed to scramble the ball just over the goal-line, from a corner kick conceded by Macneil, who turned Clunas's terrific drive round the post. Then followed the finest effort of the game, Morgan Mackay hooking the ball narrowly over the crossbar. Each goal had its periods of anxiety, both attacks striving desperately for the lead. Again Clunas caused danger when he crashed the ball against the bar. A clever movement on the home right, saw J. G. Mackay's cross defeating Sherlaw but the ball flashed across the goalmouth to D. Ross who returned it into the centre. J. G. Mackay took the ball in his stride and netted but the referee disallowed the point, ruling that a home forward was offside. Only two brilliant saves by Macneil from Pyke and Gowl prevented the "Jags" from registering. Exciting situations at the respective goal areas were now prevalent and particularly at the Thistle's end, where the ball hovered on the goal-line, requiring only a gentle tap to send it into the net. A stirring first half ended in a draw of one goal each. The game resumed as briskly as it had left off, but both defences held the attacks, who were allowed little scope to settle to combined movements. Eluding Mackay, the home right back, Macdonald centred for Gowl to head into the net. The Thistle, however, did not retain their ascendency for any length of time for off Bowie's cross, Morgan Mackay cleverly sent the ball through a crowd of players to score a great goal. This success gave County new life and within two minutes they obtained the same number of corners. Kay, the most dangerous winger afield, made progress but Gowl sent his clubmate's cross over the bar. Then Clunas had one of his snap shots, which brought Macneil to his knees. A little later, Clunas did score but the goal was disallowed for offside. Getting clear of the Jags' defence, D. Ross flashed the ball narrowly past the upright. From a Kay movement Macdonald defeated Macneil with a fast rising shot. At this point the home winger had to save from Kay, Pyke and Macdonald. A pass from Morgan Mackay enabled Bowie to get clear of the Thistle backs but the winger shot against the upright with only Sherlaw to beat, while W. G. Ross made the visitors' custodian bring off a great save. The last minute witnessed Kay putting his club further ahead.