Date	Saturday, 20 December 1947
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 6:5 R A F Kinloss
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr. Ian Roy
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: Fred Newton, 2: George Ross, 3: A (Eck) Jack, 4: Alick Ferguson, 5: K Chisholm, 6: George Sutherland 1 (1 pen), 7: Jocky (SNR) Clark, 8: ? Miller 1, 9: D Cameron 3, 10: ? Munro 1, 11: Tommy Urquhart
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 6 R.A.F. Kinloss 5 This was one of the poorest games seen in Dingwall this season and that is without exception. Seldom has such an exhibition of lassitude and ineptitude been witnessed on the part of Ross County, recognised as one of the most promising teams in the Highland League. Carr Ross, brought from centre-half to right back was weak both in clearing, recovering and covering up. Jack was distinctly better. Clunie was not the success anticipated at centre-half, and Cameron certainly not a half-back. Paradoxically the five forwards were at sixes and sevens until late in the game, when Clark came out of his shell and literally won the match off his own bat. Owing to what was believed to be "soft" opposition, the team was an experimental one. The experiment was a complete failure. All this is not meant to suggest that the airmen were of little account. The boot was on the other foot. A lively, lucky go-ahead set of forwards, backed up by an active half-back line, simply waltzed round Ross, Chisholm and Jack. Passing bouts were indulged in and shots were rained in at Newton from all directions. He did his best, but like the best, he is not invulnerable nor unbeatable. He made a miscalculation in losing the first goal; otherwise he was faultless. Chisholm had too much to do assisting the backs; Sutherland tried to stem the tide and Ferguson, unconsciously perhaps, assumed his rightful position, and as a result contributed to the score. Clark eventually became the live wire of the County line, and his energy and enthusiasm enabled his team to score a victory. Of the other forwards, Urquhart was the weak link. Munro was clever and forceful, but he was not the guide, philosopher and friend to Urquhart that Ferguson can be. Cameron and Miller worked hard but not so effectively as they can be. Their goals, however, were very welcome. MacGrory, playing for the Airmen, was the best back on the field. Ross County know now what they have lost. Goalkeeper Macintyre was a hero until he lost confidence. The half-line was not brilliant, particularly under pressure, but in Manning, outside left, the R.A.F. had a genius. Centre Scott fed him to perfection. He readily beat Ross and often it was a tussle between him and Newton. Twice the latter literally lifted the ball from Manning's feet to save his charge. All over it was a miserable game to watch. The airmen did not deserve to lose and certainly Ross County did not deserve to win. How the play went is easily told. From the start the visitors attacked and Hutcheson centred nicely to find no one up to take advantage. For a long time after this the exchanges were fairly even. Attacks followed each other at both ends, but all were repulsed. The idea of goal scoring seemed beyond the dreams of all the players. There were tit-bits of concentrated and constructive play, but the unaccountable blunders more than counteracted such flashes. Urquhart raised hopes when he shot from the bye line, but Macintyre was all there. Next Urquhart crashed a ball against an upright. That should have been a goal. Then, all against the run of the game, came two quick goals for the R.A.F. The first goes to the credit of Riddell, who was suspiciously off-side, so much so that the Ross County players drew up. That was a fatal mistake. The second came from Manning, who ran through on his own and beat Newton. This somewhat stung the home lot, who retaliated strongly. Cameron got a glorious opportunity. After mastering Macintyre, who had run out to intercept him, he shot the ball harmlessly past the wrong side of the post. Miller meantime had reduced the leeway with a fine drive from a delightful pass by Ferguson. Thus ended the scoring in this dull first half. In the second half there was plenty of scoring but little football. In all, eight goals were netted, the visitors getting three and the homesters five. Both teams might easily have had more. Manning was the first to increase the airmen's lead to 3-1. Munro, from a Clark corner kick, added number two for the County. Next Manning, on a second attempt, made the score 4-2. After that Ross County went berserk, and in quick succession goals followed from Cameron, Sutherland (penalty), Cameron and Ferguson, giving County a lead of 6-4. Just on time Manning had another spectacular run to beat Newton with a rasping drive. The end was satisfactory in that Ross County won two points, but with the prospects of the future a matter for profound reflection.