Date	Saturday, 17 February 1934
Competition	Scottish Cup
Fixture/Score	Albion Rovers 6:1 Ross County
Venue	Cliftonhill
Referee
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, 8: John Alex MacKenzie, 9: Ian Aird 1, 10: James (Mollie) Ross, 11: William Bowie
Bench
Attendance	5,000
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Albion Rovers 6 Ross County 1 The train out of Dingwall at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, which bore Ross County to Coatbridge for their third-round Scottish Cup-tie with Albion Rovers, was comfortably filled—and, be it added, in contrast to the Aberdeen Qualifying Cup special, comfortably heated. What would otherwise have been a light-hearted gathering was overcast by the information that the previous evening Alec Mackay's mother had passed away at Invergordon, and consequently the little inside right would not be there to take his place in the team. John Alex. Mackenzie, the schoolboy from Aultbea, a travelling reserve, was called in, so thus, the Ross County team was representative of Aultbea in the West; Munlochy in the East; Dingwall in the middle; and Alness and Invergordon in the North—a truly Ross-shire side. The train ran into Coatbridge on time, and what a gathering there was to welcome the Highlanders! The entrance to the station was thronged with people of every class, with the younger element more pronounced, but also, the gathering of women was most marked. There was also a pipe band to march the team, officials, and supporters to the War Memorial. A rough column with the players leading, and Garrow, as captain, carrying a splendid wreath representing Ross County colours, was quickly formed, headed by the pipes and drums, who at the request of County officials and out of respect for Mackay's bereavement, refrained from playing until the Memorial was reached. On fronting the Cenotaph, the company formed round the base of the memorial. Bailie Kirk, on behalf of the people of Coatbridge, welcomed the Highlanders in complimentary terms. He expressed regret regarding the absent Mackay in his bereavement, while, he said, the thoughtful action of Ross County in remembering the gallant dead of Coatbridge was an action which had deeply impressed itself on the minds of the people, and assured the Highlanders of everlasting respect from the Coatbridge people. At the Memorial. At a beat of the drum, Alec Urquhart, the captain of County for whom, owing to indisposition, Garrow was deputising, walked up to the memorial, placed the wreath, and drawing back three paces, stood, bareheaded for a two-minute silence. It was an impressive sight. The whole square was black with people, all drawn up to attention, not a discordant note breaking the solemn silence. At the end of the two minutes, the pipers played the "Land of the Leal," after which, the company wheeled round, and stirring marshal music cheered them back to the centre of the town, where, with an hour and more to spare, "each took off their several ways," the team making for the football ground. Garrow won the toss, and the first rush of the Highlanders gave confidence. A good clearance by R. Beith from W. Mackenzie nipped in the bud a likely County forward thrust. Rovers pressed but Macrae cleared with a hefty kick and Anderson with another. Garrow was down hurt but soon resumed, while W. Mackenzie made a mess of a corner kick. County were kept running about. Their right wing did not function, and Garrow could not strike his customary game. Macrae blocked a certain counter from Kirk, while Macpherson, always kicking a splendid ball, played with inspiration, although inclined, both he and Garrow, to give the dangerous Barclay too much rope. County were continually harassed and were very much at fault in falling back on defence. Scout Mackenzie had a brilliant clearance from J. Beath, and this great effort on the goalkeeper’s part revived the drooping County spirits. A corner for Albion was cleared by Macrae with his head, but the fact could not be denied, County were up against it. With the right wing failing to function, and the left wing starved, the County attack had no thrust. True, Schoolboy Mackenzie was playing the game of his life, but when Aird got near the ball, Bruce, covered by his backs, crowded the County centre out. When Bowie did get the ball, away he went, beat the half and full back to centre invitingly to Aird, who although harassed as usual, got his foot to the ball, and the Highlanders were one up. The cheer that greeted this success will live long in the ears of those who heard it, and not the least of the applause came from Albion supporters, although the antics of the Highland contingent were "wonderful and awful!" This goal might have been the turning point of the game, as Albion were knocked off their balance. Ross was hurt and retired for attention, but even a man short did not deter them. Aird was presented with another chance by Bowie, but hesitated, while minutes afterwards, Crosskeys was lucky to clear from the same player. County forwards, at this period, had they shot with more accuracy might easily have pulled the game; as it was, these "frights" steadied up the Albion, and Scout, Macrae, Macpherson and Anderson were once more with their backs to the wall. And didn’t the big centre-half distinguish himself! He and Scout Mackenzie, in goal, were the outstanding players, and both of them by their sterling display, commanded attention. Macpherson was also kicking in great style, and it was a calamity when he went down with a badly damaged ankle, and for the remainder of the game was "crocked," having ultimately to be treated in Glasgow Infirmary. From then on, County were always pulling against the collar. A corner for Albion gave them the equaliser. The kick was placed by J. Beath. Macrae covered up the centre, Renwick, but the latter apparently had an arrangement with Beath, whereby he slipped the centre-half to run back to Beath’s widely placed ball and rocket it into the net with a splendid header. In another few minutes, Albion were ahead, Barclay centring for Renwick to again blaze home, from what looked like an offside position. Almost on time, Bowie went away again and presented Aird with a sitter, but the centre missed, although Bruce was lucky to kick clear. In the first minutes of the second half, Scout Mackenzie was saving brilliantly. Then twice Aird and J. A. Mackenzie headed against the post with Crosskeys beaten: this was the hardest luck of the game! Experience, football craft and training began to show itself. County were visibly tiring — and who could blame them? The pace had been a scorcher from the beginning, and it only stood to reason that the team with at least five days a week training would wear out a side with not that many hours. Beath, with an unsavable shot, notched Albion's third goal. Another was secured by Renwick, and after that another two. But even when Ross County’s star was on the wane, there was never any lying down with them. At four-to-one, they still tore in. Bowie had now Macleod to purvey for him, and this combination was one of the bright lights. Macleod, as an inside man, was a real crafter with more than the average speed. He tore into his work with vigour, and Bowie at last got a look in. The shifting of Aird to outside right had the effect of lifting the right wing out of the rut. Aird collected the ball cleverly, could beat his man or men, and get it into the centre. In County goal, Scout Mackenzie was upholding his great reputation gained in the first half. He was marvellous and although harassed both by his own defence getting on top of him and the keen Albion forwards, was neither flustered nor upset. He lost the fifth goal through two defenders balking his spring across goal to a ball he certainly would have got. The sixth goal was of the unsavable order. To Macpherson’s injury probably more than anything else can be traced the collapse of Ross County. Macpherson, although hirpling along on one leg, as it were, was still retained at back, with the result that Macrae, although working to the capacity of two men throughout the game, had still more work thrown on his shoulders. Nevertheless, although obviously beaten, County retained the spectators’ interest to the last whistle. There was always that "something" about their undaunted spirit which drew forth admiration all round. The cleanness of the game was very marked throughout, and as the players trooped off the field, they did so hand in hand. However well the County fought, there was ample evidence on Saturday that they were up against a team a good cut above themselves in the football sense. Ross County have proved that they have reached a high standard of football in Highland League circles, but not coming up against teams any better than themselves, it looks as if they have reached the limit of their attainment. As Mr Edward Maclaren, the president of Albion Rovers stated: "Give these boys, as they are now, a month of playing in Second Division Football and under Second Division conditions of training and preparation and they would hold the best of sides at present representing the Scottish Second Division League." The attendance at the match was 5,000 with a net drawing of £146, County coming away with the handsome sum of £70 odds. Here an unemployed gate is open, and as Coatbridge has been heavily hit by the industrial depression, this gate was extensively utilised. When Galston visited Dingwall in the second round, the attendance was 3,200 with a gross drawing of £147. Then there was another example of the Coatbridge hospitality. At half-time tea was served in the Clubroom to the visitors and their supporters: all were welcome and very handsomely done to by capable lady friends of the home club. The same followed when the game was over, and it was indeed a welcomed cup to slacken hoarse throats, but still more to be appreciated, for the spirit which prompted such kindly action. In the board room, President Maclaren dispensed "Highland hospitality," and during a happy hour many laudatory remarks of the play and sportsmanship of Ross County were made by the Provost of Coatbridge, Bailie Kirk, and representatives from the Scottish Football Association. On behalf of the visitors, President Mackay and Mr Mathieson returned grateful thanks, the latter remarking that the Albion Rovers' directors had taught the County a lesson on how to welcome a visiting team, while at the same time they would go back to the North with the knowledge that they had fallen to a team of real sportsmen, backed by real sporting management. Mr Maclaren, incidentally, gave a half-promise to pay a visit to Dingwall with his team at the end of the season. This will probably materialise as Mr Maclaren proved himself to be the best of hosts, the best of company, and one who will strive hard to keep his "half-made" promise! "Meander," who is regarded as Glasgow's foremost football critic, writing in the "Glasgow Evening Times," under the heading, "In Search of Talent," in a review of Ross County players, says:— The outstanding performer on the field was Macrae, the visiting centre-half. Tall and dominating, he was astonishingly cool and calculating; one had the feeling that, well as he played, his value would have been increased by greater dash and abandon. But he was really impressive and amazingly effective. Queen’s Park could be doing with a man of his physique and quality. Next to him I would place Macleod, who began as a left half and finished at inside left. He was lively in all he did, and in the first half especially came through at times very cleverly with the ball and transferred it advantageously. Then Mackenzie was a singularly composed and sound goalkeeper, even though he did lose six. None of these was of the saveable order. The backs began very well indeed. Macpherson, on the right, kicked and tackled like an artist until he sustained an injury to his right ankle. His partner, Anderson, is of fine build, and for half an hour looked a great player, but he tapered off in most inexplicable fashion and in the second half was almost unrecognisable as the man who began so brilliantly. The forwards were rather disappointing. They were slow thinkers and slow movers, and fell an easy prey to men who are accustomed to opponents of rapid action. I thought the best of them was the Dingwall Academy youth, J. A. Mackenzie. He showed some knowledge of the right thing to do and, despite his juvenility, stood the pace better than most. But he was the biggest of the five even though he is but 17 years of age.