Date	Saturday, 07 November 1931
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 5:2 Forres Mechanics
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee
Ross County
Manager	John (Jock) Ramage
Starting 11	1: ? Scott, 2: Roddie Munro, 3: K Campbell, 4: Dick Traill 1 (1 pen), 5: John Ramage, 6: Robert MacLeod, 7: James (Mollie) Ross, 8: Dave Cowie, 9: Ian Aird 4, 10: Ackie MacKay, 11: Fred MacLeod
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 5, Forres Mechanics 2 As expected, Ross County returned to winning form on Saturday against Forres, beating them by five goals to two at Dingwall. Ramage’s return was more than welcome, and his influence on the team, plus Scott’s great goalkeeping and Aird’s opportunism, were the main features of their victory. Forres scored first through Shaw, the ball going in off the upright. Ramage rallied his men, and the splendid quality of the County half-back line made rapid headway. Aird equalised from a cross from the right wing, and minutes afterwards, Aird added another off a splendid lob by F. Macleod. The Forres forwards were quick-moving and gave an excellent display, but although continually hovering round Scott’s charge, they could not push home their advantages. Scott was in brilliant form and although Dickie, Shaw, and Mackintosh all had good tries, the goalkeeper refused to yield. In a daring dive at Mackintosh's feet, Scott received a nasty knock on the head, which stunned him, and it was a few minutes before he could be brought round. Although still “groggy,” he persisted in resuming and restored the spectators’ confidence by bringing off another wonderful clearance from Shaw. The County attacks were spasmodic, but always fraught with danger. Aird’s distribution was excellent, but the wingers were not responding too well, and the ball would not run too kindly for Cowie. With the constant Forres pressure, their half-backs were gulled into taking liberties, and with the centre-half, Williamson, well forward, Aird received an up-the-centre ball from Ramage. Quickly getting it under control, the centre made goalwards. The backs closed in but Aird cleverly tricked Cameron and delivered a low corner shot, which Jamieson had no chance of holding. This was Aird’s hat trick, and although Forres did not deserve to be two behind, the centre’s success was well-merited. No more scoring took place in this half. Within eight minutes of the second half, Aird again scored, another perfect cross from F. Macleod giving the centre an inviting ball to head in. Forres were by no means being overrun although there was a heavy score against them. Their backs were the better pair, while their half-line kept pushing the ball forward to the front men, who, however, could not master Scott, although they had many likely openings. Aird and Cameron had a spirited run for the ball, the back being forced to pass to his goalkeeper, who fell, and the ball rolled along the goal-line with nobody there to tap it home. Shaw, whose shooting was most erratic, shot over from close in, while Mackintosh’s shot brought the best out of Scott. In kicking off a bye, Stewart stopped Scott’s shot and Trail cleared a dangerous situation by driving the ball into corner. Scott was constantly in action and all his work had the touch of a master. County carried out a fine triangular movement, initiated by Ramage. They made ground and had the defence on the run, but Jamieson saved Aird's shot. This movement showed that the County can produce good football on occasion, and have a latent constructive ability which is too seldom seen. Owing to the late start, the light was very indifferent, and troubled both sides. Aird was away again in a solo run, and Cameron grassed him in the act of shooting. A penalty was awarded and for the second week in succession, Trail scored from the spot kick. Nearing the close, Forres had a well-deserved point, although Scott was unlucky to let the ball past him, the bad light making him mis-time Shaw's long, high drive. As a whole, the game was a good one, and although three goals in arrears, Forres were by no means outclassed. The difference lay between the centre forwards and goalkeepers. Scott was superb, and stopped numerous shots which would not have discredited him had they found the net. Aird’s opportunism was never more in evidence as his four goals testify, while he excelled in distributing the ball and wandering the opposing defence. Mackay played a hard, forceful game, but Cowie has gone off form. The wing men were not too successful, although F. Macleod was responsible for at least three of Aird’s goals. Both lack confidence and threw away more than one likely chance of making ground. The half-line cannot be improved upon. Both Trail and R. Macleod were on top form, and although both were up against dangerous opposition, they had the better of numerous encounters. As already stated, Ramage's return made all the difference. He infuses new life into the attack, while his defensive work shows uncanny anticipation and skill of both head and foot. Munro played a fine, steady game, and showed none of his former indecisiveness, while his young partner, Campbell (from Evanton) did as well as could be expected of him in this his first senior game. Provided Urquhart returns to the left-back position, the County will have a formidable eleven, and although out of the running for League honours, they should have a definite say in the destiny of more than one of the Northern trophies this year. Forres, who were without two of their regular eleven, have a safe pair of backs, and a half-line clever in both constructive ability and defence. Their forwards, however, although getting close to Scott, were very ineffective and the lack of steadiness in front of goal robbed them of more goals.