Welcome back to Dingwall. The challenge remains simple on paper: just stay ahead of the real Ross County across the same years. With at least one ‘Ross’ in the team. Since we’re already a division above them going into 98/99, survival is the only requirement — avoid relegation and the mission rolls on. So far, so good: a solid start in Division 2 sees us sitting 4th after six games.

Albion Rovers, our old Division 3 promotion pals, arrive looking every bit like a side now parked in 10th and settling in for winter. Tommy boy puts us ahead, they peg us back, and then Ross1 pops up in the 89th minute with a winner that absolutely nobody in the stadium trusted him to score. Attendance 1,107; belief still alive; relegation fears postponed for at least another week.

Ruickbie returns to the XI with Gary Gillespie out briefly, but it’s Youngs who strikes early to give us the lead. We can’t quite hold on, though, as Stirling level late. Still, a point away in the shadow of Stirling Castle keeps things ticking along without too much frustration.

1,657 Rosses enjoy a free-scoring afternoon as we brush Brechin aside with ease. Connelly sets the tone, Youngs adds his usual chaos, and Agu and Steven finish the job as we cut through their defence at will. A comfortable win, and exactly the sort of result that makes Division 2 feel a little less daunting.

Ross4’s tough bedding-in period continues, collecting a red almost as soon as he appears against Forfar. Despite the disruption, we dig in and Connelly delivers again with a brace, securing a Desmond and ensuring the afternoon doesn’t unravel completely.

An absolute rout at the Stone House on the Moor, as Youngs and the GC run riot and share six goals between them. Stenny finish with ten men and a long list of regrets, while we head home with one of the comfortable win of the campaign.

The Sun Run comes to an abrupt halt as Holly, Olli and Notman hand us a thorough home humbling. Morton score early, then settle in and pick us off, leaving Victoria Park unusually quiet by full-time.

East Fife and Forfar share ten goals in a strong attempt at the long-awaited 5-4 scoreline. Better luck next time!

Morton move top with that win, while we loiter in a decent fourth place. 13 points clear of a challenge-ending relegation!

Next up we can’t quite make the extra man count against Livingston, but Gillespie’s early strike helps us to a solid point against the side sitting second. Not spectacular, but certainly useful.

For no real reason other than curiosity and a bit of fun, I scour the database for a club sitting even further north than Dingwall. Step forward Brora Rangers, perched another 30 miles up the coast. A friendly is arranged on the spot — ideal cold-weather prep for the winter slog ahead — and what a setting it is. A pitch tucked between the North Sea and the Highlands, the kind of place where the wind does most of the pressing for you. Perfect.

Sadly the game is switched to Victoria Park due to a frozen pitch. A thumping 9–1 win follows, though our own 41-year-old captain Bannan clearly didn’t fancy the occasion — he lasted barely twenty minutes before getting himself sent off. Carlisle then hobbles off, hopefully more “I’m not doing this” than anything serious, while the rest of the squad treat it like a shooting gallery. A strange friendly, but certainly an entertaining one.

FFS

With Ferguson covering the wrong side, it turns into a simple contest of “who can score more” at Stair Park. Thankfully, Connelly and co oblige, and we edge a lively 4–3 to take the points home.

Does this solve our Wayne Carlisle-shaped hole? Dusit buggery, but he’ll do for now. Thai international don’t you know!

We follow that up with a real stinker against bottom-placed East Fife. Connelly cancels out their penalty, but that’s about all we manage. That’ll teach me for thinking, even briefly, “we look quite good on paper now.”

Connelly clocks up his 50th goal for me — in just 58 games — and throws in 30 assists for good measure. What a man. Considering he scored 18 times in 272 real-life appearances, it’s fair to say the Ross County scout on CM9798 was feeling extremely generous, and we’re all the better for it.

Newly bottom Albion Rovers are put to the sword, Connelly keeps on trucking!

Spectators cracks 2,000 as we win against Stirling. Take that Moss, Iain and Paul!

Our first Division 2 Manager of the Month arrives — November belongs to Tommy Ross. A small milestone, but a satisfying one as the project continues to move in the right direction.

Mclair regen Geraghty pops up late at Brechin to snatch the win, keeping us sitting pretty in 2nd place. A gritty result, but exactly what a promotion push is built on.

Forfar are the next victims as we keep the momentum rolling with a confident 4–1 win. Everything’s flowing nicely now — even an injury can’t slow us down.

A fine afternoon as Chaleearmsang bags his first of the season, with Nicky Ross, Connelly and Hart joining in for another smooth win. Even with Steven, Young and Rogers all crocked during the week, we barely miss a beat. It’s lovely when Champ flows like this.

My guys have too much fun over Xmas and we face table toppers Morton with a very makeshift Boxing Day squad. So desperado are we, all 4 Ross’s make the teamsheet! A 3-2 loss is generous as Morton extend their league lead to 8 points.

Promotion rivals Livvy have us Dunne by the hour mark in the cup. “We don’t care” sing the boys on their merry way back up north. We cared so little there’s no evidence provided of the game.

Instead we roll on to the final game in this update, a comfortable victory over Stanraer.

With 14 games to go we’re in the promotion spots by five points, and crucially 23 points clear of challenge-ending relegation!

Join us next time for the culmination of season two, and hopefully a second straight promotion.

Up the Ross!