Date	Saturday, 03 February 1934
Competition	Scottish Cup
Fixture/Score	Ross County 3:1 Galston
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr. Robertson
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: R. (Scout) MacKenzie, 2: Alexander (Ackie) MacPherson, 3: Thomas Anderson, 4: Roddie Garrow, 5: Albert MacRae, 6: Robert MacLeod, 7: William MacKenzie 2, 8: Ackie MacKay, 9: Ian Aird 1, 10: James (Mollie) Ross, 11: William Bowie
Bench
Attendance	3,100
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 3 Galston 1 Three thousand one hundred people paid £147 to witness the second round Scottish Cup-tie between Ross County and Galston at Dingwall on Saturday. An hour before the kick-off (3 p.m.), the spectators were passing into the field. At 2.45 p.m. a special train arrived from Inverness, bringing over 600 people from the Highland capital and intermediate stations and particularly from the Black Isle. The field was surrounded by a mass of people, rows deep, and many had great difficulty in seeing the play, an evidence to the Ross County committee that terracing must very shortly be resorted to. Seldom has Dingwall experienced such a large concourse of people within its bounds. Caithness, Sutherland, and almost every place of importance in it, and Inverness, were all well-represented, while Ross-shire football enthusiasts were present to a man. In Urquhart’s absence, Garrow acted as captain of the team. He lost the toss and Galston decided to kick towards the prison goal. Had Garrow won, he would have selected the same side of the field as Galston compelled him to take. There was always the chance of a setting sun in the South-west blinding the players. Fortunately it never developed any serious tendency. Before Ross County took the field, a plan of action was settled upon, with the aid of Mr Angus Forbes, the Northern representative on the Scottish Football Association, who suggested a mode of play for the half-backs particularly to take up: it was acted upon—with wonderful results. The visitors opened with a great burst, and it was apparent that they were intent on making sure. Anderson punted the ball against Mair, and Knox, collecting the rebound, had no one to beat except Mackenzie. He steadied himself and shot—yards wide. Mair was hurt with Anderson’s punt and had to retire for a time. Then Bowie gave Aird a possible chance, but the latter could not control the fast cross. Mackenzie came into the light when he trapped a perfect cross from Garrow. His parting shot sailed over the bar. Mair came into the picture when he beat Anderson and centered. Macindoe forced a corner but Farmer sent past. Knox was next to get away from a huge punt by Robertson, but he was magnificently tackled by Macpherson. The latter hesitated, Knox rushed on. Macpherson recovered, took the ball from Knox's toe and returned it well up field. It was one of the smartest touches so far. Knox had another possible chance which he sent wildly past. Another opportunity was lost when Macindoe, well-placed, shot wide. At this point, Ross County, who had apparently been suffering from an inferiority complex, asserted themselves. They got over the first fright and, reassured by the splendid display of the backs, who were playing with great confidence, they fought their opponents at their own game. Indeed, for a time, Ross County were superior and Aird had hard lines when he just failed to connect with a Bowie cross. Mair was easily Galston’s most dangerous forward, but he got little support; Macpherson gave him little room. Then Ross gave Bowie an ideal pass, but the outside left’s parting shot was unlucky. Instantaneously the venue changed. Knox took a ball from the right half, steadied himself and shot yards wide of the post. The County now were easily the better team and it was only on occasions that Galston were dangerous. Anderson and Macpherson were playing heroically. Macrae was a great third back; Garrow allowed no one to pass him, while Macleod, Urquhart’s substitute, subdued Mat Smith. The consequence was that the County forwards were able to maintain a sustained attack and when Mackenzie scored, it was no more than a just reward. Twice previously, Bell had saved from Mackenzie, but the County flier could not be denied and time and again Alexander had to resort to sending the ball out of play to save his lines. The game had gone 35 minutes when the ball fell between Aird and Mackenzie. The latter hesitated not one second and his shot into the corner of the net could scarcely have been anticipated by any goalkeeper. To see the multitude rise on tip toes was a magnificent spectacle. For an instant there was not a sound, but the roar which followed will not be forgotten in Dingwall for many a day. The game from this point ran distinctly in Ross County’s favour and up till half time they continued on the offensive. Ross had a chance but failed to collect himself at the crucial moment. Bowie was pulled up for offside when he was right through and a great shot by Garrow missed the post by inches. Galston started the second half as if inspired and the County defence had a sore time, but neither Macpherson nor Anderson would yield an inch. They had also to thank Mackay, Aird and Mackenzie for relieving the situation by fast runs up the field in Bell’s direction. On one occasion, Aird delighted with a header which flashed like lightning past the outside of the post. Mackenzie had an opportunity from 15 yards. He kicked the ball deliberately and no doubt is still wondering how he missed the goal. The visitors, after the first six minutes of this half, were a spent force. They had shot their bolt and they knew it. Mackay with a neat overhead kick, sent to Mackenzie, the latter centered to Aird, who took the ball in the air, and shot high into the rigging. This goal was Galston’s undoing. They got rattled and never again settled. Within five minutes, Mackenzie added a third, the result of a solo effort. It emanated from a free kick. Garrow took it and sent out to the waiting Mackenzie, who cut in and sent the ball past Bell, who had come out of his goal. The Galston side strongly contested the decision on the ground that they had never heard the referee blow his whistle for the free kick. Ross County had! With everything to gain and nothing to lose, all the Galston eleven, with the exception of the goalkeeper, came up to the centre line. The necessity was obvious: the score demanded it. For a time, they hemmed in the County players in their own half. Corner followed corner and the wing men sent in some beautiful balls. By this time, however, Scout Mackenzie had got into his stride. He treated all shots that came to him with nonchalant contempt. On three occasions, he cleared the ball from almost under the bar with his fist. His third clearance came back to him with lightning speed and he calmly palmed it over the bar. For ten minutes he defied Galston all by himself. He had to admit defeat once when Farmer crossed a ball from the left which struck the inside of the post. What excitement. "Can we hold out," thought the Ross County supporters. "Well, it takes three goals to beat us," shouted an optimist. The situation looked very dangerous when Knox trapped a cross one yard and a half from the goal. The spectators stood breathless, but Knox unaccountably shot the ball over the bar. The sigh of relief was both felt and heard. It was Galston’s last effort and they retired a tired, defeated, and disappointed team. To stress the points as to how Galston failed is unnecessary. The players were excited; they appeared to feel the responsibility of the occasion and not one of them played up to his reputation. On the other hand, the Ross County team played the game of their lives. Every man was at the top of his form, and several more than surprised their most ardent supporters. Galston were by far the more experienced team, but they were opposed by youth and enthusiasm. The result was inevitable. A better game of football, a more thrilling game, a more exciting game has never been witnessed in Dingwall.