Date	Saturday, 21 October 1933
Competition	Scottish Qualifying Cup
Fixture/Score	Peterhead 2:4 Ross County
Venue	Recreation Park
Referee
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: C Sherlaw, 2: Alexander (Ackie) MacPherson, 3: Thomas Anderson, 4: Roddie Garrow 1, 5: Albert MacRae, 6: Ackie Urquhart, 7: Ackie MacKay, 8: James (Mollie) Ross, 9: William MacKenzie 1, 10: William Skinner, 11: William Bowie 2
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report From the Ross-shire Journal. Peterhead 2 Ross County 4 Ross County had to make the long trek to Peterhead on Saturday to meet the local team in the fourth round of the Scottish Qualifying Cup competition. The team left Dingwall at 7.30 a.m. by motor charabanc, accompanied by a number of their supporters. They lunched at Macduff and arrived at Peterhead at 1 p.m., which gave them a couple of hours to stretch their legs. A number of private motor cars carried other supporters from Dingwall, Alness, Invergordon, the Black Isle and Inverness, and their encouraging voices from the grandstand went a long way to assist their favourites to victory. Ross County won by 4 goals to 2, and they deserved it. There were two distinctive features in the game. The first, which was very pleasing, was the impartial and sportsmanlike attitude of the spectators. “The Peterhead Football Supporter’s Club Gazette,” which was sold prior to the match, stated:—“Give the players encouragement, cut out the barracking.” If barracking is experienced at Peterhead, it was certainly absent on Saturday. There was plenty of encouragement for both teams, with that for Peterhead, naturally, predominating. But clever play by men of either side, which, unfortunately, was not too frequent, was thoroughly appreciated and recognised by all-round applause. The second feature, and this was most regrettable, was the inferior display of football by both teams. It was far below the standard that the teams are capable of. All six goals were certainly smartly taken, but what was lacking was combination. Very seldom during the whole game was there a combined, constructive move. Rushes up the field there were in abundance, but after the shock of the first few minutes, both defences were too good for the attack. “Play football and you will easily win,” shouted a Peterhead fan. The fact is, however, that that applied to both teams. If either had settled down to play football that team would have won, and if both had done so the spectators would have got their money's worth. “They are excited,” shouted another voice, the retort to which was “Naw, they canna play.” Another failing was miskicking, and this applied to every man. The ball was certainly greasy, a drizzle of rain having fallen just before the match began and saturated the grass. There was also a strong wind blowing from the east right down the field. These may provide reasons or excuses; nevertheless the ball more often than otherwise went in the wrong direction, unintentionally certainly, and very much to the chagrin of the player. Peterhead suffered most from this, for Copland completely missed his kick in goal, thus permitting Bowie to score. Urquhart won the toss and took advantage of the strong breeze. Bennet kicked off, but the ball was intercepted by Macrae. A throw-in on the left was taken by Urquhart. He sent the ball to Ross, who returned it to him. Urquhart neatly lobbed it to Bowie, who took it in his stride and made for the bye-line. Muir tackled him, but Bowie got in his cross. The ball went to Mackenzie, who was unmarked, and he coolly breasted it through the goal, Copland being helpless. Thus Ross County were a goal up within the first minute. From the kick off, Garrow got possession and sent over a great shot to Bowie, who unfortunately slipped at the critical moment. Within seconds Ross County were back again and Urquhart lost a good opportunity when he accidentally fouled the ball with his hand. At this stage Ross County were rampant. The Peterhead backs could not control the visiting forwards and Scott and Muir, though tackling smartly, could not get the ball out of the danger zone. It was 15 minutes before Peterhead changed the venue of play. A corner was forced off Macpherson. Brinham sent across a beautiful shot, but Sherlaw was on the alert and cleared with his fists. Even play followed for a period, the ball travelling quickly from one end to the other. The County, however, were more dangerous in front of goal than their opponents. In one instance Macrae sent Mackenzie away on his own. Tackled by Scott, he passed to Bowie, who sent in a hard shot from 12 yards. Copland, however, was on the spot and made a great save at the expense of a corner. Bowie kicked into the goalmouth and the ball bobbed about in a most irritating fashion, with “goal” on everybody’s lips. Eventually it went bye and the referee awarded a goal kick. This appeared almost a miraculous escape for Peterhead. A brief offensive by the homesters was spoiled by Bennet, who showed little skill and certainly no luck in his distributive play. Traill was the brains of the half-line and it was he alone that assisted the forwards. At the other end Copland was playing splendidly and twice in succession he stopped magnificent shots from Skinner. Then Mackenzie got his head to a Bowie cross and sent it just outside the upright. Macpherson next shone when he blocked a great drive by Bennet. Copland then was almost beaten by Urquhart, the ball striking the ground in front of goal and bouncing upwards, Copland managed to tip it over the cross-bar. He did the same with Mackay’s corner kick, which being repeated went bye and relieved the pressure. Peterhead improved somewhat as the game proceeded. The backs were playing with more confidence and the halves were consequently better able to assist their forwards. Fraser, the best forward in the home team, had a great try, which just went past the post. A foul kick outside the penalty area looked dangerous for the visitors. Traill took the kick, but he could not get through the crowd of men in front of the goal. But the Peterhead attack at this stage really deserved reward, and no one was surprised when it came. It was the result of a well-placed cross by Buchan, which Fraser sent into the net with his head. Sherlaw had no chance. Peterhead continued to attack and Buchan was unfortunate with a drive which just cleared the cross-bar. The scene was changed. Garrow, from the half-way line, sent a ball high into the goal-mouth. The backs and goalkeeper appeared well set to receive it. Mackenzie, Skinner and Ross all made for the ball and the next instant Copland was lifting it from the back of the net. The majority of the spectators could not tell who had scored until they saw Mackenzie being congratulated by his comrades. After a raid on Sherlaw, when he easily stopped a soft shot, Peterhead were again on the defensive. Bowie had two corners in quick succession, but neither was converted. Then Bowie got the surprise of his life. Accepting another fine cross from Garrow, he ran in and shot straight and low to Copland. The latter lifted his foot to kick the ball and completely missed it. It was a cruel blow of Fate towards Peterhead. The whistle blew almost immediately and Ross County retired with a lead of 3 goals to 1. So far the football had been very mediocre. There were thrilling incidents, but no concerted action. There was little difference between them in the open, but where Ross County held the advantage was in front of goal. All the forwards were triers and Mackenzie was ever between and harassing the backs. Urquhart was prone to wander into the centre and at one period, when Peterhead were attacking, he took up the position of a fourth back, lying back behind Macpherson and Anderson. After the respite Ross County attacked, but were easily repulsed and with the assistance of the wind Peterhead launched a strong offensive. Macpherson and Anderson, and particularly the latter, were an active combination. They tackled their men with determination and their kicking improved materially. Peterhead, however, could not be denied and they got no more than they deserved when Brinham sent in a well-placed shot, which, assisted by the wind, cannoned off the far-off post into the net. The home lot continued the pressure with increased enthusiasm, but they lacked penetrative power, and the Ross backs and Macrae were able to checkmate all their advances. The County forwards also were often at Copland’s end. Twice Bowie was unfortunate to get off-side at a critical time. Mackay also fell into the same trap. Mackenzie kept worrying his opponents and Copland deserved the cheers which he received when he stopped a point blank shot from Mackenzie. Pressure on the right resulted in a corner which was taken by Buchan. Brinham intercepted the cross, but though well-placed he sent bye. The pace was telling on both teams and for a time the game slowed down. Then Hood was hurt in the head and although he continued to play he appeared to be very dazed. Such was his condition that Garrow drew the attention of the referee to Hood, who was persuaded to retire. He resumed later but was of little use to his team. While he was off the field Ross County registered their fourth and last goal. It was the result of a dash by Mackenzie, who was overwhelmed in the goal-mouth. Bowie and Skinner dashed in and the former put the ball into the net. This knocked the heart out of Peterhead, and handicapped by Hood, they lost their grip, although as the final whistle blew, Fraser just shaved the cross-bar with a magnificent effort. Result, Ross County, 4; Peterhead, 2. Ross County cannot be grudged their victory and Peterhead will be the first to admit it. It certainly was not a classical game, yet it was keenly and cleanly fought. There was forceful play, hard knocks were given and taken, but there was nothing of an underhand nature. Neither team played to form. Tom Anderson and the halves were the men who beat Peterhead. Macpherson was not far behind Anderson, and Sherlaw did all that was asked of him. The forwards were all of a par. Bowie and Ross were the better wing, Mackenzie was as versatile as usual, but the ball often came to him very awkwardly, and on many occasions he had to roam the field for the ball. Skinner was useful without being brilliant and Mackay was very quiet. Playing with the wind he had great difficulty in trapping the ball and his effectiveness consequently suffered. Copland, but for his one error of judgment, was good in goal. He had no trouble with the high shots, which he fielded in masterly fashion. Muir and Scott, after a shaky start, were sound in defence. Traill was the best of the half-back line, and Fraser outstanding in the vanguard. Buchan and Brinham were dangerous wing men. Bennet had a day off and was completely subdued by Macrae.