Date	Saturday, 11 February 1939
Competition	North of Scotland Cup
Fixture/Score	Ross County 2:3 Caledonian FC
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr Jaffreys
Ross County
Manager	George Barrie
Starting 11	1: Roy Applegate, 2: Neil Gillies, 3: Roddie Munro, 4: A. MacDonald, 5: George Barrie, 6: J Wood, 7: J Black, 8: J.A MacKay, 9: Ernest Gowl 1, 10: W Murray 1, 11: Tommy Urquhart
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 2 Caledonian FC 3 A moderately stiff breeze, with a soft pitch, had a decisive effect on play and players in the Ross County v. Inverness Caledonian Northern Cup game at Dingwall on Saturday. Ross County lost the toss and Caledonian had the advantage of the breeze in the first half. Thus it was that Caledonian made Ross County look what a Press reporter called "wretched" in the first half. The ball travelled well for the visitors and "wretchedly" for the homesters. That was all there was to it. When the teams turned round, it was the visitors who often appeared to be in the toils and but for a stout and confident opposing defence, Ross County would have gone ahead. It was when Gillies was off the field for a brief spell in the second half—not that he was carrying the team alone—that the reorganised ten men lost the goal but for which the result had been 2-2 instead of 2-3. Still, Caledonian was a team, working harmoniously as such, and working with a will. They had one great feeder of forwards in the half-back line; his work helped decide the issue. Another point. For the County, the dominating personality in the defence was undoubtedly the centre-half. Barrie's head, literally and metaphorically, saved a heavy slump. His placing was perfect and if these passes and placings had been picked up more frequently, well, more goals! Barrie has no melodramatic movements; if he added these he might be far less effective, but perhaps he would get the cheers of the "fans." The County defence otherwise was below the usual high standard. From the very outset Ross County was handicapped in this game. Adam Forsyth, the right back, who had been engaged to play for Falkirk A. on trial in December, but could not owing to an injury to his nose which happened against Rothes Victoria on December 30th, was requested to play on Saturday for Falkirk at Aberdeen. This rather upset the composition of the Ross County team. Neil Gillies had to be brought back to the rear division. His place at inside left was taken by Murray and the latter's place at outside left was given to T. Urquhart. Caledonian played as selected, a combination of fine, upstanding youngsters, mixed with a leaven of seniors with experience. The game was not a classical one. It was as a standite audibly described it—ragged, rugged and ruthless. In the outfield the visitors were the superior team. Their finishing, however, was not of the best and they were also up against a stubborn defence. Barrie was outstanding, while to Applegate must go the credit of keeping down the Caledonian's score. Mackenzie, the Caledonian custodian, also brought off some good saves. One in particular, a fast low shot by Mackay, was almost miraculously diverted past the post. Both Caledonian backs defended consistently, particularly Macgillivray in the first period, when he tackled and always placed the ball well forward. Mackenzie, Matheson and Rooney, as an intermediate line, played one of their best games this season. In leading and opening out both wing half-backs succeeded, and Matheson was responsible for the ineffectiveness of Gowl, the County centre-forward. The first goal came after 32 minutes, Main beating Applegate. Ten minutes later Mackenzie, right-half, gave the ball to Main, who in turn sent over a well-timed ball to Dalgleish, who, in turn, beat Munro and cut in towards goal to score with a fast, low shot, the ball going in close to the post. The transformation effected in the Dingwall team in the second half of the game made for improvement, and Gillies was seen to better advantage on the extreme right wing. Eight minutes' play saw Gowl get possession of the ball in mid-field, and eluding the watchful Caledonian pivot, propelled the ball for a few yards to beat Mackenzie. The goal acted like a tonic to the County team, who returned to the attack. At this stage the best part of the game was witnessed, and both goals ran narrow escapes. Notwithstanding the County's improved play, they did not give one the impression of a team playing with studied methods and confident co-operation, as was evidenced when Urquhart (outside left) failed to avail himself of a glorious opportunity to claim equality. Persistent attack by Caledonian had its reward, and after 35 minutes' play, Main scored from a ball by Dalgleish. County's play was, however, affected by the accident to Gillies, who had to be carried off the field, but returned after ten minutes' absence. In returning to the attack, County succeeded in scoring, Murray converting from close range. But their success was too late, as the game was now won and lost, with Caledonian holding the margin of balance.