Date	Saturday, 27 February 1988
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 0:2 Peterhead
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: Donald MacKay, 9: Davie Jackson, 10: Gordon Connelly, 11: Gary Robertson
Bench	0: Alan Gair, 0: James MacKay
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 0 Peterhead 2 SATURDAY'S defeat by Peterhead at Victoria Park, Dingwall, takes little away from Ross County’s record over the past season, and it would be a very fickle supporter who feels that it does. Two errors and Peterhead capitalised handsomely, for who can look a gift horse in the mouth, when offered a chance to taste and see? Two simple positional mistakes—one in either half—gave the Buchan team the chances they wanted and, leading League contenders that they are, they took them. Both goals came in the post-Bellshaw injury period. Prior to that, County had been more than holding their own with tight, constructive defending and the fast break upfield. Dave Bellshaw has been holding the County defence together this season by example and endeavour, and it was a tragedy when, in the 20th minute, he was assisted off the field and taken to hospital with a suspected fracture of a cheekbone. This was later confirmed, and with confirmation came the news that Dave would be out of the game for the next crucial few weeks—six, it is understood—when his services would be greatly needed in cup ties for Ross County and for the Northern Constabulary team of which he is a starring member. There was a defensive shuffle, with Alan Gair coming on as substitute in a midfield role, and Scott Lemmon moving to central defence. Dave's departure certainly caused problems, and as a result, County did not move as smoothly and confidently as before. However, players and manager have a week to sort the situation out, and things will be tightened up considerably at Lossiemouth in Saturday’s North Cup semi-final tie. Again last week, some of the players did not play to their full potential, maybe because reputations are such that opposing teams have been taking measures to stamp out particular menaces. One feels this is so in the cases of Billy Ferries and Gordon Connelly, whose every move was carefully and methodically screened throughout. However, there were opportunities when both took their opponents apart. In the opening attacks, Suttar came out to punch away a cross from Fraser's head, and at the other end, a long ball to the left wing by Connelly found Donald Mackay, whose defence-splitting far post cross unfortunately had no takers. Young Gary Robertson was on the field from the first whistle, but he did not create the same impact as he does when substituted late in a game. However, he had his chances but could not turn them into goals. Jackson had a gilt-edged chance of scoring when put in possession by Gary, but he shot the ball wide of goal when it looked easier to score. It was shortly after this that Bellshaw sustained his facial injury and left the field. The referee had to administer a warning to the Peterhead “dug-out” following an “offside” decision as the visitors were pressing for the opening goal. In the 36th minute, a goal came when newcomer Smith, who was recently signed by Peterhead from the Banks o' Dee, hit a free kick across the front of the County goal, and it had Suttar at the near post scrambling desperately to the far post in an endeavour to reach the ball, which trickled tantalisingly over the line. From the opening of the second half, County was under considerably more pressure as one Peterhead attack quickly followed another. At one period, four corner kicks fell to the visitors in a one-minute spell. Suttar turned one powerful drive from Lennox away for a corner, and another shot from Smith cracked off the bar. In the 70th minute, a piece of “dithering” by two defenders in a quandary about a pass-back saw the no-nonsense Fraser nip between them and toe-end the ball into the roof of the net. The game was tied up neatly for the team from the Blue Toon. Ross County have all to play for on Saturday first at Lossiemouth, and they will certainly not be lacking a strong support.