Date	Saturday, 11 November 1933
Competition	Scottish Qualifying Cup
Fixture/Score	Keith 3:6 Ross County
Venue	Kynoch Park
Referee	Tom Maclean
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: C Sherlaw, 2: Alexander (Ackie) MacPherson, 3: Thomas Anderson, 4: Roddie Garrow, 5: Albert MacRae 1 (1 pen), 6: Ackie Urquhart, 7: Ackie MacKay 2, 8: William Skinner, 9: John Alex MacKenzie 2, 10: James (Mollie) Ross 1, 11: William Bowie
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Keith 3 Ross County 6 All the "experts" tipped Keith to win against Ross County in the semi-final of the North Section of the Scottish Qualifying Cup competition. This was because Keith had forced a draw at Dingwall and therefore had the advantage of home ground. The "experts" were wrong, as they have invariably been as regards Ross County this season. Ross County won handsomely and comfortably after one of the most exciting 90 minutes of football that they have ever taken part in. Keith generously admitted their defeat, but it was not until the sixth goal had been scored that Ross County felt "safe." It was a grueling game and at the end every man of the 22 was exhausted. Prior to the match, Ross County, through their captain, A. Urquhart, placed a wreath at the Keith War Memorial and before the game started, the Town Band played the National Anthem. Urquhart was successful in the spin of the coin and took advantage of the sun, which was shining fiercely towards one of the goals. The advantage, however, was more apparent than real. At the start, Urquhart gave away a quite unnecessary foul, which fortunately proved of little service to Keith. Next Bowie had a great run on the left and it was a pity that he eventually sent the ball wide of the goal. Sherlaw was next tested by Penrose but fielded the ball confidently. Immediately after, Penrose sent narrowly past off a corner kick by Machaffie. Keith were certainly having the better of the exchanges at this stage and yet it fell to the County to open the scoring. Paterson gave away a corner. Bowie took the place kick and Muldounie punted it out. Bowie captured the return, but his final effort went over. The goal kick went to the left, Mackay blocked it neatly. In a flash he centered. Muldounie made to field it but Mackenzie intercepted and placed the ball into the net well out of Muldounie’s reach. It was a typical Mackenzie effort. Sherlaw got a fright at his end when he carelessly attempted to stop a ball which was going past. He fumbled it and a corner resulted. Bain, unfortunately for his side, put the ball past. Dame Fortune, however, was not all in favour of Ross County. Garrow was hurt in a tussle with Miller and for over ten minutes he had to receive attention on the side line. Thus handicapped, the County were placed on the defensive and both backs and Albert Macrae came in for a rough time. They came through with flying colours. They put up a magnificent stand, but it was Bain’s fault that they were unbeaten. He received a beauty of a pass from the right and running into an open goal, he smashed the ball over the cross-bar. Within seconds, Machaffie followed Bain’s example, and another opportunity was gone. Bain next sent a strong shot across the goalmouth, Cowie, Penrose and Machaffie tried to put it in the net but failed. Garrow now returned, but it was apparent that he was not his old self. Indeed he lacked confidence throughout the rest of the game, which was natural in the circumstances. Keith were still going strong. They were playing clever football and had they been able to finish better there might have been a different tale to tell. Penrose and Cowie were both at fault in missing likely opportunities. The pressure, however, was bound to tell and no one could grudge them a score when it came. Admittedly it was an error of judgment, yet Keith were worthy the count. Penrose was the last Keith man to kick the ball, but Anderson intercepted it with his leg and the ball skidded into the corner of the net. Sherlaw could easily have caught the ball, which was going straight towards him, but its deflection left him helpless. Keith were on the defensive immediately after and both Wood and Muldounie deserved credit for stopping two great shots by Mackay. Then Paterson stopped a Bowie centre with his hand. There were loud shouts for a penalty, but Referee Maclean waved the game on. Just on half-time, Bowie shot a delightful ball narrowly over the bar. On play, Ross County were flattered by their lead at half-time. Resuming, Ross County went off with a bang. Mackenzie just failed with a fast low shot, which went on the wrong side of the post. Muldounie brought down a great centre by Garrow and placed the ball at Mackay’s foot. The goal line was only two yards from him, and he pushed the ball home. The County were now playing with great confidence, and Keith were not having as much of the play as they had in the first half. What made the spectators marvel, however, was the pace. The ball travelled from goal to goal with lightning speed and there was danger in every attack. Indeed the spectators were on nettles all the time. Muldounie had to run out 20 yards to keep Mackay from scoring and in the next second Ross County got a shock when Sherlaw, in stopping a shot from Watson with his fist completely missed the ball and caught Cowie. The latter looked aggrieved until he saw the ball in the net; then he forgot the blow. Really encouraged by their success and the shouts of their supporters, Keith set out to get the equaliser and had it not been for excitement they surely would have done so. Bain sent over a rocket shot which struck the top of the cross-bar. The front row in the grandstand—all Ross County fans—shivered. This was counteracted by a perfect drive by Mackay. In quick succession, Penrose shot past the post and Mackenzie is still wondering how he missed an open goal. Anderson had to concede a corner but Sherlaw cleared his lines with his fist—another shiver. Within seconds, Bowie was off at top speed. Wood had to yield a corner. Bowie crossed to goal and Skinner was shooting in the net when Paterson, who was falling on his side, stretched out his left hand and diverted the ball past the post. The penalty was obvious and Keith paid the price when Macrae placed the ball in the corner of the net. It was hard lines; it was an accident; the result was inevitable. Two clear goals ahead looked cheerful for the County, but Keith were by no means disheartened. Sherlaw had to field a long shot from Wood, who had cleverly played the ball up the field from his own goal line; Muldounie gave an exhibition of how to “sleep” on the ball—which the referee was not having. Bowie gave Mackenzie a chance, but the centre failed to steady himself; Mackay had the chance of a lifetime and sent over and then Edwards, from 20 yards, left Sherlaw helpless, 4-3. The excitement was intense. Machaffie worried Anderson and got a corner, which he put past. Then Mackay trapped a long shot from Urquhart and shot first time. Muldounie never saw it. There were still seven minutes to go, but the pace never faltered. Watson, from midfield, sent in a glorious shot which Sherlaw just got his fingers to and put it over the bar. At the other end, Mackenzie sent in a lightning drive which Muldounie saved brilliantly. It was a great shot and a great save. Mackay was next in the limelight, and he missed two, described by the standites as “sitters.” Just on time Mackenzie made victory doubly sure when he accepted a beautifully placed ball by Bowie and tapped it into an empty goal. Ross County were worthy winners, though not quite by three goals. Keith played pretty football throughout, but Ross County's go-ahead methods were much more profitable. Mackenzie, time and again, sent his wing men away and was always up for the return cross. He was a sore thorn to Wood and Paterson. Muldounie could not have done better in goal. All the Keith half-backs were good and the only fault of the forwards was their lack of finishing. Mackenzie, Bowie and Mackay were the County’s most serviceable men. The two inside men were too diminutive against Keith’s stalwart halves; yet they were very useful. Macrae gave all his support to Anderson and Macpherson, and time and again he defied the Keith attack single handed. The backs were very steady under pressure and Sherlaw was as confident as of yore.