Date	Saturday, 15 August 1931
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 3:4 Buckie Thistle
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee
Ross County
Manager	John (Jock) Ramage
Starting 11	1: ? Scott, 2: Roddie Munro, 3: Dot Garrow, 4: Dick Traill, 5: John Ramage, 6: Ackie Urquhart, 7: D MacLeod, 8: J Pole, 9: ??? McIver 1, 10: Dave Cowie, 11: Charlie Cameron 1
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 3 Buckie Thistle 4 Ross County lost their first Highland League match on Saturday by four goals to three, with Buckie Thistle being their conquerors. Their supporters need not be disappointed, however. Buckie are credited with being the top team in the League, and to start off with, the County had them rattled, and with a little luck might have secured more than the one goal they got in the first quarter of an hour. After Buckie had equalised through Milne, and gone ahead by another clever goal scored by the same player, they grew confident and settled down to their accustomed, steady play, forcing home their advantage. Munro and Garrow were both off form and gave way under the consistent pressure, both miskicking badly. Cameron drew the game to two goals all, Macleod having got the first home point with a corner that somewhat heartened the team. It looked as if the County would make a fight of it, but Bain headed past Scott off a foul kick, from what was an obvious off-side position. The referee was appealed to, but in vain. Bain got away on his own to add the fourth goal, cleverly tricking Scott, who came out to meet him. The Highland fighting spirit now asserted itself, and with a reshuffle of the team, the defence was stiffened by taking Urquhart back, while Trail’s inclusion in the forwards added a new punch, which all but brought the desired results. Maciver hooked a high ball past Woods, and the County attack became still more vigorous for the equaliser, but the Buckie defence held out, and they were worthy winners, if for nothing more than their splendid teamwork and forcing play. The County eleven was no failure. Scott, the Fraserburgh goalkeeper who has come North to work, was sound and daring, if at times he was too prone to get down on the ball. He had little support from Munro and Garrow, who both had an off day. The half-line was good but it was terribly overworked owing to the inside men not combining to help them out when pressed. Trail was an untiring worker and worried his opponents constantly, while Urquhart, especially in covering up the defence, was both forceful and clever, his head work being particularly good. Ramage was the centre of attraction and acquitted himself with distinction. His defensive work while Buckie were on top was splendid, and the use he made of his head was exceptionally fine. On at least two occasions, his superb anticipation helped him head clear from under the bar, with Scott beaten. When Buckie got the disputed off-side goal, Ramage seemed to get rattled. Particularly good were his long punts up field and out to both wings. Ramage goes whole-heartedly into the game and fears nothing. His great weight and height will be a decided asset to him in Highland football, but he still lacks training, a factor which an enthusiast like himself will readily overcome. The forwards were none too good. Macleod was clever and did some creditable work, but occasionally he missed likely chances. Cameron did not get much rope from Middleton and Geddes, and he seldom got the ball to his liking. He would probably be seen to better advantage were he transferred to the inside position. Pole did not attract at inside left, while Cowie played his usual clever game, but did not give his half-backs enough assistance. Maciver was courageous and a trier all the time. The hard ground and fast ball, however, did not suit his style of play. The team on the whole will be a hundred per cent improved when they have had a little more practice together. They showed glimpses of football which was encouraging and will yet blossom out to make them a side not to be taken lightly in Highland football.