Date	Saturday, 20 January 1990
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Nairn County 0:2 Ross County
Venue	Station Park
Referee
Ross County
Manager	Robert (Bobby) Wilson
Starting 11	1: Ross Cathcart, 2: Christopher (Chris) Somerville, 3: Gary Campbell, 4: Robert (Robbie) Williamson 1, 5: Johnston Bellshaw 1, 6: Scott Lemmon, 7: Lee O'Brien, 8: Cameron Robertson, 9: Alex (Nero) McDonald, 10: Gordon Connelly, 11: George Stewart
Bench	0: Barry Wilson, 0: Don Cowie (SNR)
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Nairn County 0 Ross County 2 THE Ross-shire contingent present at the North of Scotland Cup first round tie at Nairn on Saturday — and there was a fair representation — were delighted with the high standard of exciting football presented throughout the ninety minutes. County’s first half display into a strong Northerly wind was quite outstanding, as they produced all that was best in football. On the firm, holding ground, they had the edge on their opponents, producing perfect sweeping passes to the wings; judicially placed short passes through the middle; and always ready to unleash a powerful shot on goal. During this period, Ross County were producing the goods, the goods, which should have accounted for East Fife and Cove Rangers; skilful attacking football. On occasions, however, their rear guard was exposed, when Nairn exploited the speed and skill of their left wing pair Sharp and Bell. They were a continual menace to the County defence in the first half, and throughout the second period, when Bell was switched to the right wing, with only saving tackles by Lemmon and Bellshaw (2 a piece) saving the day, when a player could have been straight through on goal. The pair contributed to a move, which led to the Nairn right winger sweeping the ball into the net in the opening minutes, but fortunately for Ross County linesman had signalled "offsides". George Stewart had an inspired game. He was taking on opponents and beating them, spraying the ball about well and accurately, and was always lying handy on the wing to sweep up a chance, darting into the middle when the occasion warranted. The firmer suited the style of Gordon Connolly, whose play-making was in a class of it's own, inspiring as it did colleagues, for in a twinkling he could avoid a tackle and open up the game completely. Cammie Robertson played a sterling captain’s game, always pressing forward strongly and determinedly, his style, forcefulness and sheer pace contributing greatly to the scheme of things. Robbie Williamson is showing the potential that brought him to the attention of Glasgow Rangers, and he complements Cammie Robertson perfectly in mid-field. He won a deserved Man of the Match Award. One feels that County were precipitate in relegating keeper Ross Cathcart to the second team early in the season, for the youngster has potential, and lately he has been regaining his confidence, and instilling confidence in his defence by his performances. Saturday’s display was very competent, a bit inspired, perhaps, to bring out that something special in light of the advent of former Elgin City keeper Michael Ure, who signed for Ross County on professional forms earlier in the week. Michael who is recovering from a knee injury, was present at the match. County’s first goal came in the 20th minute following a smooth passing movement, the culmination of which was a crisp final pass from Nero Macdonald to Robbie Williamson, who sent the ball crashing into goal, as keeper Neilson came out to meet him. Neilson was to make several superlative saves throughout the match, but on this occasion there was little he could do to prevent a score. Again in the case of the second counter from a corner by Connolly, Neilson could only watch as Johnstone Bellshaw’s powerful free header was directed down and into the net. Attack after attack was made on the Nairn goal with Robertson and Williamson coming close on several occasions. Lee O’Brien too got into the act. Came the second half, and still the Ross pressure was maintained, but lacking the same sharpness, as they maintained a steady seige on the Nairn goal, only broken by the occasional dangerous breakaway, upon which Nairn should have capitalised — in one instance anyway, when a header from David Bellshaw crashed off the upright, with the defence all at sea. At the other end, County were twice denied penalty claims, when Connolly was taken down in good scoring positions. It was a most satisfying result for Ross County and their supporters, and one which augers well for the next round, a home tie with Elgin City or Caley.