Date	Saturday, 23 August 1947
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Ross County 5:4 Rothes
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr T. Macniven
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: ??? Kennedy, 2: Donald Ross, 3: J Sutherland, 4: ??? Raybould, 5: Ackie Urquhart, 6: George Sutherland, 7: A (Eck) Jack 1, 8: Charles (Chic) Ogilvie 1, 9: D Cameron, 10: Alick Ferguson 1, 11: Tommy Urquhart 2
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 5 Rothes 4 The sweltering heat greatly affected this game and at the end of a gruelling time, the players looked a very tired lot. The play at the start was fast; too fast to last. Later, it slackened considerably, and except for spasmodic bursts, and one or two surprising goals, the excitement never became intense until near the end, when it appeared time was the deciding factor. Ross County should have had a barrowful of goals. Ask Cameron. In the end they had to be content with gaining the points by the odd goal in nine. Although winning the toss, Ferguson chose to face the sun, the idea being that his opponents would fare worse as the sun sank lower in the sky. The move failed, for in the second half, the sun became hidden behind a cloud. The first thrill came when T. Urquhart crossed a ball which landed on the top of the cross-bar and went over. Ogilvie followed with a shot which Bremner was fortunate to gather. Then all against the run of play, Rothes scored through Parkinson. He broke clear and although challenged by J. Sutherland, he survived and netted from close in. Allan had a chance to increase the score for his team but he shot wide. County continued to have the better of the game in the outfield, and Ferguson tried hard to get the equaliser. Three corners were forced in quick succession, but Bremner was playing confidently and he could not be caught napping. Eventually, after 25 minutes, he had to admit defeat when Ogilvie got his head to a ball which left the goalkeeper helpless. Then Ogilvie sustained an injury, but fortunately was back on duty within six minutes. Meantime Ross County continued to press. With only Bremner to beat, Cameron shot strongly over the bar. No one could believe it, least of all Cameron himself, who lifted his arms in silent rage, disgust and disappointment. Rothes had several raids and were a constant menace to the County defence, which was not too sound. The Rothes inside men were prone to lie too far back, and thus failed to feed the wing men. T. Urquhart created joy in the home camp, when getting away on his own, he sent in a terrific shot, which glanced into the net off an upright. Bremner had no chance to save. County were now well on top, and Ferguson raised the total to three when he headed a well-placed cross. The second half opened amidst great excitement. Within two minutes the home team increased their lead. Ogilvie ran to stop a ball on the right and sent over a long shot to the goalmouth, T. Urquhart ran in and taking the ball as it landed, crashed it into the net. Within a minute this success was neutralised. Right from the kick-off Rothes attacked. Allan beat Ross on the run, crossed to Parkinson, whose parting shot beat Kennedy. From this point the pace slackened considerably and end to end play followed with some powerful kicking by both defences. Matters livened a little when Jack brought the County's total to five. It was a fine effort. The ball came across from the left. Cameron tried to collect it but failed, and it went to Jack, who instantly drove it with his left foot into the far off corner of the net. Bremner was deceived because he had expected Jack to shoot with his right foot. Ross County now sat pretty, at least the players seemed to think so. But they got a shock when from almost half-field, Meldrum sent in a long dropping shot, which Kennedy failed to time properly, and assisted the ball into the net. Somewhat heartened, Rothes attacked, but the County defence improved and defied the pressure, although Parkinson should have registered when he had only Kennedy to beat. Ross County retaliated and both Ferguson and Cameron missed likely scoring chances, and particularly the latter, who was extremely unlucky all through the game. In the last minutes, Duff brought his team's total to four. The final whistle blew as the ball was about to be centred. Rothes put up a praiseworthy show against a better team. They deserved to lose, but they might almost have drawn. As far as the County is concerned, it was a game of lost chances. The defence was not too sound, but the half-backs were grand and particularly G. Sutherland. In the open all the forwards did their part; close in to goal they were disappointing.