Date	Saturday, 16 January 1988
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 5:1 Rothes
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) 1 (1 pen), 7: Keith (Billy) Ferries, 8: Donald MacKay, 9: Davie Jackson 1, 10: Gordon Connelly, 11: James MacKay 1
Bench	0: Alan Gair, 0: Gary Robertson 1
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 5 Rothes 1 ON A PREVIOUS occasion many years ago—it was in 1966, the week after the historic Scottish Cup-tie with Glasgow Rangers at Victoria Park—Rothes visited Dingwall and brought Ross County firmly to earth with a resounding 5-1 win. Not so in 1988! Rothes came to Dingwall last weekend, with County maintaining their position on the crest of the wave, top of the league, and what have you, but on this occasion there was no upset for the local favourites, despite the fact they went one goal down in the seventeenth minute! They played a sharp, disciplined game, earning few cautions from the referee as their opponents built up a grand total of five, and an ordering-off in the 57th minute. The player concerned was striker Garry George, who had committed his second punishable offence of the day. It is of some significance to note that no County player had his name taken. As has been stated, the boys played a cool, disciplined game, full of flair for the sharp attack on the break, or for a steady buildup from defence, involving everyone (nearly) from goalkeeper out. The confidence is there, the confidence to take on an opponent or two, and spread the ball about. Each defender, in his own right, has something to contribute to the general weal and has the speed and mobility to cover any break. Never was the new-found confidence more in evidence than in one instance when left back Scott Lemmon took on several opponents in a run from defence. He weaved his way, almost casually, past his opponents, the ball under control, and then when he had broken from the third opponent, crossing into the Rothes half, the referee decided that his “feint” past this particular opponent, and the “slight touch” were enough to penalise him, though one had seen other “infringements” nodded through! County players were not afraid to improvise and take on an opponent, and as a result they continue to play highly entertaining football—let it be so! The home Club had the ball in the net within minutes of the start, when Billy Ferries, a regular will-o’-the-wisp on the right wing, swept past his markers and had beaten the keeper, only to have a goal disallowed. County continued to play this fast-flowing football with no result, but their effort was emulated by Rothes, who got a result! A brisk spell of inter-passing down the Rothes left brought them into the home half, and in a further spell of short passing movements, the ball was pushed from one player to another across the face of the County goal, until it was “dummied” to Tommy Henderson who was unmarked on the Rothes right, and he scored easily. Minutes later Dave Jackson had the ball in the net, but again a counter was ruled out for some infringement or another. As the match progressed, Rothes were beginning to build up the number of players who had had their names taken, as County pressured their defence in their search for the equaliser. Connolly had a great shot turned over the bar by keeper Wallace, and then in the 32nd minute, County's leading goalscorer, Dave Jackson, brought his grand total to 16. He took advantage of an opportunity, as the keeper failed to hold a corner from Ferries in rising to meet the ball with James Mackay, and it dropped at the striker’s feet—need one say more! Ferries had a chance with the keeper off his line, but the latter scrambled back to take the winger's shot cleanly. Two minutes into the second half, Ross County took the lead, after James Mackay had been brought down inside the box as he was breaking through the middle. Don Cowie had no difficulty converting the kick. Keeping up pressure, Ross County attacked the Rothes goal continuously, as the “cautions” crept up. Keeper Wallace had another first-class save from Donald Mackay, when he turned his 25-yard shot over the bar. Then in the 57th minute, Garry George was ordered off. The keeper’s name went into the referee’s book a minute later as he went straight into Donald Mackay just outside the box as he was breaking through. Wallace made a brilliant save from Connolly, and then dived on the rebound before James Mackay could capitalise on the chance offered him. Rothes were not giving up without a fight and, when the County defence failed to clear a free kick, one of their forwards pushed the ball past the post, when it was easier to score. In the 75th minute, County were 3-1 up, following a corner kick by Billy Ferries, who flighted the ball deep to the far post, where it was headed down by Jackson to James Mackay, and he prodded it home. Four minutes later James Mackay was substituted, and on came Super-Sub Gary Robertson, from Alness, and what did the supporters expect from him but a first-minute goal! Gary did not disappoint them, for as he has done on two previous occasions in the last four games, he scored within seconds of his appearance on the field. He simply ran through the middle on to a ball, which had rebounded off the bar from a Jackson shot, and cracked it home. In the 87th minute, Gary was on target again when a shot by Jackson was parried by the keeper, and he was on to it in a flash. Another good result for County, and a boost to confidence and morale. They sit well at the top of the league, but, of course, Caley and others have games in hand. However, continuing as they are doing for the rest of the season, there is no reason why they should not be among the Top Six at the end of the day.