Date	Saturday, 23 October 1993
Competition	Scottish Qualifying Cup
Fixture/Score	Ross County 5:0 Rothes
Venue	Victoria Park
Attendance
Referee
Comments	Match Report Report by Bill McAllister for the Press & Journal. Ross County 5 Rothes 0 Ross County midfield powerhouse Cammy Robertson returns offshore later this week for another fortnight on the Shell Brent platform--but he will be back in time for his club's first Qualifying Cup final appearance in 20 years. Cammy will fly in from off the coast of Shetland in time to face Huntly in the final on November 13. Robertson's return in the past two games has helped transform County. They clinched their Scottish Cup spot by demolishing Rothes to storm through to the final of a cup they last won when they beat Clach 3-1 on aggregate in 1973. "We've lost four Qualifying semi-finals in six years and it's been a real hoodoo stage for us," said Robertson. "But now we've got over the semi-final hurdle we're convinced we can finish the job." He keeps fit by 'pumping iron' in a small gym on the accommodation module offshore. His drive and determination, allied to Robby Williamson being pushed forward from sweeper, has brought a new conviction and balance to the Dingwall midfield. This, in turn, has triggered a return to form for playmaker Gordon Connelly. The Rothes six-game unbeaten run was always under threat at Victoria Park and manager Graeme Scott admitted: "It was men against boys. Too many of my players were overawed by the occasion. It was like a training session for County by the end and we let down our brilliant support. "Now we have to lift ourselves for the Scottish Cup trip to East Fife. Ernie Drews and Colin Henderson will be back in time for the Methil tie." The Qualifying Cup is the only trophy County have not won in the past three years and this is the first time manager Bobby Wilson has reached this in his 13 seasons in north football. Assistant boss Don Cowie was also overjoyed. "I played in six Qualifying semis for County, Brora and Clach--and lost the lot," he admitted. "So getting there at last means a great deal." Boss Wilson acknowledged that the cup wins of the past two weeks may have dramatically transformed the season for a team which had not been firing on all cylinders. "Having Cammy back and moving Robby Williamson to midfield has clearly helped a lot and the confidence has come back to the side at the right time," he commented, "We haven't played Huntly this season but obviously you have to respect their consistency. However, we can pose them plenty of problems." Rothes keeper Ewan MacLeod was a hero as County dominated from the start and when he saved Brian Grant's penalty kick, Ross nerves began to fray, But GRANT grabbed a beauty six minutes from half-time then GRANT stabbed in another in the first minute of the second half for his 14th goal of the season. A minute later, a marvellous, flowing move was polished off by Barry WILSON and the Rothes dream was over. WILLIAMSON headed a forth and the final strike came off a Rothes defender as Billy FERRIES bent a corner kick. Sandy Macleod was outstanding for County and he and Johnston Bellshaw have struck up a better central defensive understanding. For Rothes, only gallant goalie MacLeod and young Neil Esson deserve a mention.
Ross County
Manager	Robert (Bobby) Wilson
Starting 11	1: Stephen Hutchison, 2: Christopher (Chris) Somerville, 3: Craig Reid, 4: Robert (Robbie) Williamson 1, 5: Johnston Bellshaw 1, 6: Alexander (Sandy) MacLeod, 7: Cameron Robertson, 8: Brian Grant 2, 9: Alan Duff, 10: Gordon Connelly, 11: Barry Wilson 1
Bench	0: Andrew (Andy) MacLeod, 0: Keith (Billy) Ferries