Date	Saturday, 11 September 1948
Competition	Scottish Qualifying Cup
Fixture/Score	Ross County 3:1 Brora Rangers
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	S. J. Ogg
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: Fred Newton, 2: , 3: Jock Finlay, 4: James MacDonald, 5: John Patience, 6: George Sutherland 1, 7: Jocky (SNR) Clark 1, 8: Charlie Thain, 9: Charles (Chic) Ogilvie 1, 10: Alick Ferguson, 11: Tommy Urquhart
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 3 Brora Rangers 1 Ross County are through into the third round of the Qualifying Cup. They accounted for Brora Rangers by three goals to one in what in the earlier stages looked as if it was to be no walk-over, especially against a team with an ex-First League make-up. A first round tie, they have a bye in the second. Slow to gather, the crowd ultimately reached a goodly size, while the stand, newly painted and seating accommodation numbered, was packed. It would lead to more harmony if the sale of stand tickets ceased when the maximum of 300 was reached. Brora players were numbered, and the crowd appreciated the fact; County should follow suit. The game started in a heavy downpour, and when a bright sun came out, Brora had a decided advantage in winning the toss. County backs did not instil confidence in the opening exchanges, while the Brora defence, with Johnstone (ex-Partick Thistle) at centre-half, a dominating figure, ably supported by Cole (left-back) had a safe look. A beautiful cross from Urquhart was netted by Clark, but he had, so it seemed, needlessly used his hand, and the point was disallowed. However, a perfectly placed corner from Urquhart had Brora defence bewildered, and Sutherland shot a perfect goal in twenty minutes. Brora's thrusts were dangerous, especially with Patience in erratic form. Newton was very safe in goal and covered up well. After 35 minutes play, County scored again, Clarke netting from an opening made by Sutherland, who was the star man of the game. A two-nil score in County's favour at half-time was perhaps as it should be. Brora lacked experience forward, otherwise they might have secured at least one goal—they were worthy of it. Brora attacked vigorously in the opening of the second half, and Newton was lucky to get two chances to clear from J. Miller, Gradually County's experience told, and they consistently harassed the Brora defence. When Johnstone was injured, it looked bad for the North team, but with his return they rallied, and unaccountable hesitancy in County defence at a poorly placed corner, gave J. Miller an opening. Newton had no chance with the shot that beat him. Now we had a real Brora rally, and they thrust in on the County defence with vigour, if with little controlled football. Their efforts, however, were hopeless when Ogilvie broke through and secured County's third goal five minutes from time, although almost on the whistle, only a brilliant save by Newton kept Hart out. The game, like the Curate's egg, was "good in parts"—some good football, some distinctly bad. Brora were too individualistic, and even with the experience of their ex-First Leaguers, failed to play as a team Ross County yet need brushing up. The failure of Patience to play to form might have had an unsteadying effect on the forwards, who were poorly supported. Sutherland, as already stated, was the man of the match, with Newton a ready second.