Date	Saturday, 27 December 1930
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Forres Mechanics 2:1 Ross County
Venue	Mosset Park
Referee
Ross County
Manager	Johnny Hart
Starting 11	1: Peter Brett, 2: Roddie Munro, 3: ??? McIntosh, 4: Dick Traill, 5: Johnny Hart, 6: Ackie Urquhart, 7: Ackie MacKay, 8: Paulo Grant, 9: Ian Aird 1, 10: A Kerr, 11: Charlie Cameron
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Forres Mechanics 2, Ross County 1 Ross County’s defeat at Forres on Saturday was an unlucky one. Fortune for the time being seems to have deserted them—as also, be it noted, the shooting powers of the forwards. To have at least eighty-five per cent of the game and lose by the odd goal in three is indeed vexatious, but more especially so when, being presented with numerous golden chances of scoring, the forward line as a whole failed. The park looked well, but there was a strong wind blowing and with its help Ross County got going, with Aird spoiling matters by shooting wide from an ideal position engineered by Grant. Mackay cleverly centered a pass by Hart but the defence cleared. Brett had to hold a long shot and in doing so displayed confidence. Cameron, who resumed at outside left, was at fault with his shooting when he blazed over with plenty of time to steady himself. However, although enjoying all the play, the County goal was the first to fall, Dick beating Brett with a splendid drive which the goalkeeper made a daring but futile attempt to stop. Aird was through again, but bad shooting robbed him of success. Cameron placed a splendid corner which Aird headed in with fine judgment. Robertson, in the Forres goal, was lucky to get in the way of the ball and clear. Another dangerous header by Aird went narrowly over. Forres forwards were dangerous in breakaways, and Mackenzie was prominent with two good opportune punts, while Munro's visits to the left defence to cover up his partner were of great assistance. Grant next had a pop at goal and Robertson had to corner the ball. The kick was badly headed over by Kerr. County certainly deserved to score when first Hart, then Grant, and next Aird all had likely tries, but on each occasion a Forres defender got in the way and blocked the ball. Forres got up field and Mackenzie's intervention was timely, while a corner—which looked as if the ball had gone in off Urquhart's hand—bore no fruit. Hart worked beautifully forward with the assistance of Grant, and after beating several opponents, placed Aird in an ideal position to score. The centre unaccountably shot weakly into the goalkeeper's hands. This was a proper let-off for Forres. The County certainly should have been goals up instead of one down. Trail played hard and forced the pace as did the other two half backs, all three trying hard to infuse life into their forwards, but to no advantage; the forwards were having a day off and no mistake, with Robertson getting all the luck that was going, as was clearly demonstrated when he got his finger tips to a beautiful lob by Mackay and turned it past. Forres leading by one goal at half time, and this against a strong wind, did not look too promising for the County. The game opened briskly with the County facing a freshening breeze. Brett skilfully negotiated a long high shot. Mackay, with the help of Trail, who had gone inside, got well away on the right, and beating his man, centred, but Aird’s header was blocked. Urquhart hung on and Cameron, from the pass, sent in a perfect centre which Aird promptly placed in the net. It was a well-worked goal from the time the ball came to Urquhart, and the County were in need of the point to keep them going. Their game improved and there was not so much wild kicking. Trail, at inside, infused more life into the attack and gave little room to the backs, whose clearances at times were on the lucky side. Brett showed his anticipation in running out, fielding and brilliantly timed diving, one of which was particularly clever and brought forth the applause of the crowd. Trail sustained injury and his loss was considerably felt. Mackay failed to gather a pass from Kerr first time, and Kerr made a daring attempt to get through but a fine tackle held him. Trail returned to the field and shortly afterwards Forres went ahead but the point was offside and disallowed. Both ends were being visited periodically but while Forres were dangerous, the County looked as if they would never get a point. Forres took the lead through a mistake on Brett's part. Previously, in a collision with Duncan, Brett received a blow on the arm, and was suffering temporarily when the ball was shot into him. The damaged arm did not permit holding the ball and he weakly threw it out, for Duncan to promptly net. County did not lie down, and Hart exerted every ounce of strength and football ability to draw the game, but although admirably supported by Urquhart, Trail and Grant, the forwards did not respond to the numerous promptings and chances he made. Forres took up the attack and Mackenzie and Munro displayed good football, especially the former who was very reliable both in tackling and kicking. Urquhart’s defensive work was very pronounced at this period and he was not slow in pushing home any advantage. Trail made a desperate effort to equalise matters but after working to a good position, he was bundled off in the act of shooting. The County forwards got mixed up at the Forres goal, and Robertson can count himself lucky in getting rid of the ball after a sustained attack. The game ran all in favour of the visitors but Forres packed their goal and with the help of the wind punted out anywhere. Forres backs showed up well under pressure. Even Munro came forward to help in the attack, but try as they would, the County could not force the equaliser, and the game drew to an end with a score of two goals to one in favour of Forres. Forres have taken all four points from Ross County this season, winning at Dingwall, 3-2. They again meet in the first round of the North of Scotland Cup, in Victoria Park, and this should be one of the most interesting ties and well worth seeing. Ross County, provided they go in with the will to win and keep up the fight to the bitter end, should win comfortably. It will be a dour, hard struggle and it is hoped the County will have recovered their shooting form by the 7th of February.