Date	Saturday, 18 November 1933
Competition	Scottish Qualifying Cup
Fixture/Score	Ross County 1:4 Rosyth Dockyard Recreation
Venue	Pittodrie Stadium
Referee	Mr Peter Craigmyle
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: C Sherlaw, 2: Alexander (Ackie) MacPherson, 3: Thomas Anderson, 4: Roddie Garrow, 5: Albert MacRae, 6: Ackie Urquhart, 7: Ackie MacKay, 8: William Skinner, 9: John Alex MacKenzie, 10: James (Mollie) Ross, 11: William Bowie 1
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 1 Rosyth Dockyard 4 At Aberdeen, on Saturday, against Rosyth Dockyard, Ross County met their Waterloo in the final round of the Scottish Qualifying Cup (North Section), by four goals to one. The County were beaten by a team of vast experience and undoubted ability, but, although eclipsed, the Highlanders were by no means disgraced. They stuck to their overpowering task with real Highland vigour, and received congratulations on every hand for their plucky display against such superior odds, heavily accentuated as the odds were by the loss of their goalkeeper in the first twenty minutes. The special train from the North, when it took on board the Dingwall contingent, left only room in the corridors, which did not altogether please the “strap-hanger” as the morning was a hard, frosty one, and the temperature in the “lobbies” of an arctic nature. However, cold as it was, it did not affect the enthusiasm, and when Inverness was reached, the arrangements were improved, and every person had a seat for the remainder of the journey. As the miles were covered, the party ran into mist, then rain, and at Aberdeen, disembarked in a raging hail and rain storm. It is estimated that close on five hundred people travelled from the north by rail, while not a few private car owners made the journey by road. One fact was clear, that of the gate receipts taken at the gate, most of it was Highland money. The awful day kept the Aberdonians away—and who could blame them? However, besides the North crowd, Ross County were met by “exiled” supporters, notable amongst them being Mr David MacCulloch, of the “Press & Journal”; Mr Allan Macleod (“Doyle”), a great all-round sportsman in his day, and who had travelled the previous night from Glasgow; Mr Nicol, at one time a popular weaver in the Seaforth Institute at Dingwall, etc., etc. On such a day, the winning of the toss meant a great deal on Saturday, and Urquhart was unfortunate to lose. County had to face the elements. Supporters gave them a rousing send off. Sherlaw had to kick clear in the first minute. Anderson fouled, but the kick was somehow cleared away. The County happily survived the first mad minutes and Mackenzie got away, McNiven saving the centre’s shot to the goal corner. Another Highland raid, set going by Urquhart, saw the Highland host triumph. Bowie, beating two men, essayed a shot—or was it a centre?—the wind caught the ball, and turned it into the Rosyth goal; Mackenzie was there to hamper the Rosyth goalkeeper, and the ball was in the net with most of the Ross County supporters looking the other way, expecting a bye kick. The lead did not avail County much. They were kept defending, and were continually getting themselves tied up in knots in front of Sherlaw, due mainly to excitement and the force of the gale turning their clearances back over their own heads. At this period County could not complain about want of luck—the marvel was how they held out. A glaring penalty for the Highlanders was let slip by Mr Craigmyle, when a Rosyth defender pulled the ball down with his arm. Sherlaw ably fisted the ball over for a corner when the Rosyth centre was through. But, oh, that wind! Thanks to Sherlaw’s steadiness, a Highland rout was prevented and he infused confidence in his side. Ross County raids were few and far between, but always the forward speed had the beating of the Rosyth defence. Sherlaw’s double save was marvellous; it received in applause its due award. Rosyth were playing football of a high standard. Seldom did their passes go wrong, and in taking up position, they gave the County a splendid lesson. They were bound to score, and when their inside right was allowed to get possession of the ball through County players mis-kicking, he beat Sherlaw with a fast high swerving shot; a point justified on play. A minute after, Sherlaw was again beaten with a header off a corner kick. The keeper strained an already damaged ankle and was forced to retire. Macpherson donned the goalkeeper's jersey. This was a real catastrophe for Ross-shire, especially against a hail storm and a raging head wind. Macpherson’s first work as a goalkeeper was done brilliantly. Ross was an ideal left-half, while Urquhart displayed real class at left back—his true position. Always fighting against the collar, County were lucky to arrive at half-time only one goal in arrears. Confidence was not lacking when County, with the wind behind them, resumed the second half. However, Sherlaw was still an absentee, and this fact certainly disjointed the side. Rosyth were little affected by the wind and rain. Their football was cool, accurate and at times seemed effortless. County forwards got little of the ball. Mackenzie foraged about on his own and was a real danger, but was always left with too much to do; Mackay was not happy with his crosses, but Bowie always had the beating of the opposition—when he got the ball, which was seldom. The wind was not of the assistance to the County they expected it to be, but this was not so much due to lack of that element as to the splendid play of Rosyth. The Dockyard men would not be rattled, they studied their passes, probed the County weakness and generally had the Highlanders at full stretch. The third Rosyth goal came after first Garrow, then Anderson were beaten; Macpherson had no chance. Macrae, who received an injury in the first half, played under handicap; Garrow gave his wing man too much rope. Ross and Urquhart were the strong men in the County defence. Rosyth defence kept the County from getting to close quarters, but Mackenzie was ever in and out hunting for the ball, his great bursts of speed and foraging tactics receiving every encouragement from the crowd. The Rosyth fourth goal was another fine effort and Macpherson again got no chance with a splendid drive. Nearing the close, Ross came to left back while Urquhart went forward in a last rallying effort. This change showed Ross to be an able defender, but even with Urquhart forward, the seasoned Rosyth defence were not to be caught out. Mackenzie with a great drive woke the Highland spectators to a semblance of their former fervour, but the goalkeeper brought off a splendid save. Beaten, the County passed out fighting. Their opponents gauged the wind, positioned themselves to better advantage and were never flustered. In Moyes and Flannigan at back they had two men with First Division experience, who kept cool and controlled the men in front of them. Forward, they were all tried footballers who played to each other with uncanny precision. Sherlaw’s accident was certainly an almost unsurmountable handicap to County. But it is doubtful, even with him playing full time, if the County could have mastered Rosyth. The football of the two teams was very, very different. In a calm day, County might have been able to rattle Rosyth off their game. On such a day as Saturday, experience told its tale.