Date	Saturday, 31 January 1948
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 4:1 Keith
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr. Ian Roy
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: Fred Newton, 2: A Sutherland, 3: A (Eck) Jack, 4: Jock Finlay, 5: George Ross, 6: George Sutherland, 7: Jocky (SNR) Clark, 8: ? Munro 1, 9: D Cameron 3, 10: Alick Ferguson, 11: Tommy Urquhart
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 4 Keith 1 Both teams took a long time to settle, and play proceeded for a time on an even keel, the ball travelling from goal to goal with apparently no specific object in view. Then County woke up. A concentrated attack on the Keith defence found it unsteady. Urquhart was continually flashing down the wing and crossing some choice balls. Ultimately Ferguson gathered the ball and let drive from about 25 yards. The shot was blocked by Innes, who however, could not control it, and Cameron, the opportunist, stepped in and crashed it into the net. Again the exchanges became fairly even. Keith were very lively in the outfield, but in front of goal they were a most inept crowd. They frittered away their chances with impunity, either sending the ball bye or into Newton's hands. Certainly they never worried Newton or his two backs. Returning to the offensive, Ferguson sent in a terrific shot which was saved by an upright, and immediately after, a cross from Clark was tipped over the bar. Ross, the County pivot, was in good form, and he defied the whole Keith forward line. Roy tried the same for Keith, but he was up against keener and more enterprising forwards. But he never let his team down; indeed he was their mainstay. When County went further ahead, it was well-deserved. Ferguson, with a perfect pass, let Urquhart away. The latter crossed to Cameron, who headed the ball well out of Mackay's reach. Three minutes later Munro added a third. Right-half Findlay seeing Munro unmarked, slipped him the ball. Mackay never saw the ball flash past him. County were now on top and remained so till half time, when they led by three clear goals. After the interval Keith improved considerably, and they gave the County defence a little more to do. All over the play deteriorated. The ground had become a quagmire. The ball was heavy to kick and accurate gauging and placing was impossible. Keith kept on and they got their reward. Cowie sent in a ball from the right. Newton got his fingers to it, but could not hold it. He fell on the ball, and Cowie, still on the run, pushed man and ball over the line. Keith were much heartened over this success and for a period they kept up strong pressure. The Ross defence, however, had had its lesson and put up a stubborn defence. At the other end both Cameron and Ferguson came near scoring, and only Mackay defied them. He literally had to lie on the ball to prevent Cameron from scoring. In the tackle, Cameron's old injury re-asserted itself and after being attended to, he took up the outside left position. From this point the game drifted on to a finish. Both teams attacked keenly on occasions, but mostly the play became lackadaisical and every man was leg weary when the final whistle sounded. Result:— Ross County, 3; Keith, 1. Ross County deserved their win, but Keith were worthy another goal on their second half display. County adapted themselves more readily to the conditions and their halves and forwards were in advance of their opposites, except for Roy, the Keith centre-half, who was the most outstanding man on the field. It was a risk playing Newton, with his injured leg, but it came off. The goal scored against him would never have been yielded had he been fit. The two backs and Ross are improving with every game, while Findlay and G. Sutherland are always in form. All the forwards were good. Cameron signalled his return by scoring two goals, but was injured near the close. As usual, Ferguson was the artist, Munro a good substitute for Miller, while both extreme wing men were in extraordinary bright form. Apart from Roy, Keith had no supermen. Up to a point the team all over was clever, played good football, but all to little effect.