Date	Saturday, 15 September 1934
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 4:5 Inverness Citadel
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr. A. Godsman
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: Philip MacKay, 2: Tom Anderson, 3: ??? Taylor 1, 4: J MacAulay, 5: Albert MacRae, 6: J.R MacKenzie, 7: J.A MacKay 1, 8: William Skinner, 9: William MacKenzie, 10: J.A Ross, 11: Hector Stewart 2
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 4 Inverness Citadel 5 After getting through the first round of the Qualifying Cup competition, and Citadel having been knocked out in the same competition by no fewer than 6 goals to 2, it was fully anticipated that in the return league match between them at Dingwall, Ross County would beat the Citadel. They made a bold bid—a bid that started too late—and they had to admit defeat, and incidentally yield the full four points to their opponents for this season. The game was an interesting one to witness. The pace was fast throughout, and in the end became terrific. The first half was fairly equal, although Citadel did count twice to Ross County’s single. The second half opened dramatically. Within five minutes, Citadel scored their third; a fourth followed in less than half-a-minute, while five minutes later a fifth was registered through a penalty. Score, 5-1 for Citadel. Ross County kept pegging away and when Stewart hooked in a cross from W. Mackenzie, they took heart. From that moment they went all steam ahead and for practically twenty minutes they hemmed in their opponents. The excitement became intense. Two goals were scored through Stewart and Mackay, but twice as many were missed through lack of steadiness, and, it must be admitted, the magnificent display of goalkeeping by Gillanders, a junior playing his first senior game. At times he alone stood between his team and defeat. No one welcomed the final whistle more than did Citadel. It was a thrilling finish to a capital game, perhaps not of exhibition football, but of that straight, go-ahead cup-tie style, which, if not as pretty to watch as the close passing game, is infinitely more effective. In the end, Ross County had bad luck not to at least equalise, but they could not grudge Citadel their victory in that they were better opportunists and never let a scoring chance slip. Ross County had the misfortune to lose the toss and were set to face a strong sinking sun and a slight breeze. Both teams took some time to steady and W. Mackenzie got a chance for the County on the left, but just failed to gather the ball. The home lot were playing confidently and Stewart had hard lines when he failed a yard from goal to connect with A. Mackenzie's cross. At the other end, Mackay made a magnificent save from Arthur Mackenzie. Albert Macrae then gave Gillanders a fright when he headed in a ball from a well-placed corner taken by Taylor. A score to the County was inevitable at this time and when it came it was no more than deserved. It was perhaps a lucky goal, because Shaw completely missed the ball to give Taylor possession. The latter cut in and with a perfectly-placed shot, sent it in off the far-off post. For a short period the pace slackened, the players finding the sun very hot, although it was comforting to the spectators. There were bright moments when Mackay had to be alert to stop shots by the two Mackenzies, and when Gillanders intercepted others from Macaulay and Skinner. Then against the run of play, Morrison got the equaliser. It was the result of a corner kick taken by Paterson. The ball bobbed about in the goalmouth and then came out to Morrison, who banged it home through a bunch of players. Shortly after, Morrison scored again from an obviously offside position. Indeed, three men were offside at the same time, and all played the ball. But referee Godsman failed to see it and the goal counted. Just before half-time, Gillanders saved two splendid shots from Mackenzie and Stewart. The referee came in for a good deal of barracking in this half. As already explained, the second period opened very fast, with Citadel the more impressive. Morrison got the ball on the right after Macrae had missed it. He scored from close in. The ball was centered, Corbett intercepted the forward move and sent the ball up the right wing. Right back Mackenzie trapped it about 20 yards from goal. He made to dribble up the field. Arthur Mackenzie robbed him and passed to Calder, the centre, who gave Mackay no chance with his parting shot. There was less time between the scoring of those two goals than it takes to describe them. This was disastrous to Ross County, but their cup of misfortune was not yet full. A Citadel player was impeded inside the box and A. Mackenzie converted the spot kick with a well-taken shot. “All over bar the shouting,” said the crowd and it certainly looked it. No one did or could have anticipated what was to follow. The County had not been playing badly, but there was not the cohesion about them that they had shown earlier on, and to be 4 goals behind did somewhat encourage an inferiority complex. However, a fine cross by W. Mackenzie was nicely turned into the net by Stewart. This put renewed life into the home lot and they proceeded to play like a team inspired. Mackenzie crossed from off the goal line and Stewart’s head was in the right spot. The County kept up the pressure and as a result they further narrowed down the margin of goals. Brora Mackenzie deserves the credit. He got the ball on the line, beat two men in his forward rush and shot for goal. Gillanders stopped it and pushed it out, and Mackay, lying handy, scored. The spectators were not only astonished at the wonderful recovery of Ross County; they were in a frenzy of excitement. Could they turn the tables? Shouts of “Keep it up,” “You have got them rattled,” “They haven’t a leg to stand on,” were heard all round. The players responded heartily. They crowded round the Citadel goal. They had opportunities to score but over-anxiety nullified their efforts and also little Gillanders, who had to wait till the referee came to his rescue on two occasions, when he lay on top of the ball to save his charge. Then the final whistle blew and the “Citadel was saved.” So enthralled were the spectators that they could scarcely believe that the game was over. All honour is due to the Citadel defence, especially Gillanders, for the manner in which they stood up to the gruelling time. Corbett, Invergordon, was a tower of strength at centre-half and he had good support in Robertson and Reid. Arthur Mackenzie was the best forward on the field. He was seldom beaten, he never wasted a ball and he knew the direction to the goal. Morrison more than paid his way with his hat-trick. For the County, Mackay did all that he was asked to do in goal and although five goals were scored against him, his reputation did not suffer as a result. Mackenzie, Brora, who has been on trial for Aberdeen, did not impress. He certainly deserves the credit of the last goal scored by his team, but he was directly responsible for two that were scored against his side. It was apparent also that there was little or no understanding between Anderson and him, and Anderson’s play suffered in consequence. Anderson is a right back, and no one better than he has been seen in that position for the past two seasons. Macrae was not so prominent as usual, and Macaulay has yet to earn his spurs. He was not as good as Garrow. James Ross was the best of the six half-backs. Stewart is a better back than a pivot, although he scored two good goals. W. Mackenzie was the best forward; he had some sparkling runs, and perfect crosses. Taylor's goal was a beauty, but he was not so conspicuous as he sometimes is. Both inside men were good without being brilliant.