Date	Saturday, 28 January 1989
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 1:1 Huntly
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee
Ross County
Manager	Robert (Bobby) Wilson
Starting 11	1: John Sutter, 2: Christopher (Chris) Somerville, 3: Scott Lemmon, 4: Cameron Robertson, 5: Dave Bellshaw, 6: Don Cowie (SNR), 7: Keith (Billy) Ferries, 8: Alex (Nero) McDonald 1, 9: Davie Jackson, 10: Gordon Connelly, 11: Albert Allan
Bench	0: Robert (Robbie) Williamson, 0: Tommy Regan
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 1 Huntly 1 IT WOULD have been an injustice on Saturday if league leaders Huntly had left Dingwall with three points from their match against Ross County, who had defeated them earlier in the season at Huntly. On the whole, Ross County were the dominant side, producing better and more open football and making light work of the heavy conditions, which seemed to have caused some consternation to their opponents regarding their "playableness." Conditions are great levellers, but one thing is certain: they are the same for both teams. In this respect, however, County might have scored more than their heavier, taller, and bulkier opponents, who started well in the opening exchanges when legs were fresh and the wind was in their favour. However, in the end, Ross County were the team that remained full of running, and for all the times Huntly encroached on their goal area in the second half, there were three, four, sometimes five attacks on the Huntly goal. Pressure in the second half was entirely County’s prerogative. One would also say they had as much, if not more, than Huntly in the first period. Fitness-wise, few teams can approach County this season. They maintained a constant, steady pace, moving easily enough on the heavy surface, which suited the lighter, fleet-of-foot County players over 90 minutes. In the writer’s “Black Rock” days, the advantage of the wind in the second half was regarded as a bonus after weathering the first 45 minutes. Although occasionally over-shooting the target in the second period, players found the wind eased the burden on their tired limbs. Saturday’s wind favoured County when they turned around at half-time, for strong though it was in the first half, it grew in strength for the remainder of the game. County capitalised on it, crowding the game into the Huntly half of the field and sending fans to the leeward side of the stand, where they were to savour, on the spot, as enjoyable a 45 minutes as County attacked the goal in front of them. More entertainment like that presented this season will maintain high attendances and enthusiasm. Let’s hope it continues to Telford Street Park, Inverness, on Saturday, with a repeat of the Christmas week victory over Caley. Early in the game, Dave Bellshaw took an elbow in the face and sustained a cracked cheekbone, which could put an end to his career with Ross County. A similar injury last year led to a period of sick leave from the Northern Constabulary, who were not too happy with the situation. He also sustained a groin injury and had to leave the field, being replaced by County’s latest signing, the former Clach sweeper, Robbie Williamson. It had not been anticipated that Robbie would be introduced so early, but needs must, and with some trepidation he took the field for a baptism of fire, which showed his potential at its best. He fitted in with his new colleagues, and this can only lead to greater understanding in the weeks ahead. Huntly opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a simple goal, perhaps the result of indecision on the part of the County defence anticipating “off-side.” However, John Suttar had come off his goal-line and was over the six-yard line when Hendry tried to lob him. Stretching back, the keeper grabbed at the ball but could not hold it, and it dropped between himself and the defenders, as Hendry, following up, trundled it over the line. The County goal came in the 78th minute and was highly deserved based on pressure. Connelly and Ferries broke clear on the right wing in one of a whole series of attacks. Ferries took the ball to the goal-line before cutting it back to Nero Macdonald, who crashed it home. Joy knew no bounds among the supporters. Then just before the end, Cammie Robertson came charging down the left before crossing the ball to the far post, where it was headed straight to the keeper by David Jackson.