Date	Saturday, 10 September 1938
Competition	Scottish Qualifying Cup
Fixture/Score	Wick Academy 6:2 Ross County
Venue	Harmsworth Park
Referee	Mr. A. Clyne
Ross County
Manager	George Barrie
Starting 11	1: Roy Applegate, 2: Adam Forsyth, 3: Roddie Munro, 4: J MacIntosh, 5: George Barrie, 6: Ackie Urquhart, 7: J.A MacKay, 8: Neil Gillies, 9: Ernest Gowl, 10: A. MacDonald 1, 11: Tommy Urquhart 10
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Wick Academy 6 Ross County 2 On paper Ross County appeared to have a sound team at Wick in the first round of the Scottish Qualifying Cup, but on the field they were not a collective team but uneven units, struggling hopelessly against an opposition which was full of team work, team spirit and the will to win. In the first nine minutes one did see the County showing some idea of understanding and cohesion, which should have culminated in two goals, but unfortunately did not. The story of these vital misses, which might, one can say, have put a different complexion on the game, is embodied in the description of the game. In cup-ties it invariably holds good that the first team to get in the blow usually wins the day. Sometimes such a contention does not prove correct, but in Wick's case it turned out to be the beginning and the end of Ross County. Frank Wilson, a County stalwart last season, began his old club's route. His brilliantly conceived goal, after ten minutes' play, was the prelude to a spate of goals, for within another ten minutes Wick led by four to nil. A grand position to be in, particularly in a cup-tie and against a team which seemed to have lost all its will to fight back. One must sympathise, however, with the County. They seemed to have no lucky breaks. On the other hand everything went well for Wick, goals came easily, partly through County players' faults, but mostly through their own ability to seize the least semblance of a chance. There was not the least doubt the superior team succeeded. From goal outwards Wick were sound. Every department played its part successfully and that was—not to let the County settle nor to let them get into their stride. The home forwards' motive was to strike quickly and hard, and they did it with a vengeance—four goals in ten minutes. But these effective blows were obtained through brilliant football. Frank Wilson was the inspiration and his less-experienced colleagues responded to his prompting. County have the name of being dour cup-tie fighters, but that reputation has been questionable for some time, and certainly not on this occasion, for the Ross-shire men made no fight. They created a very poor impression among the Wick supporters, who must have been amazed how County ever came to have such a name. They did not see anything to justify it in this important tie, with its vital financial rewards. The game opened quietly with both teams showing signs of nervousness. Then on the visiting left, Urquhart, the County's young outside left, made progress. He cutely slipped past English and from the bye-line crossed beautifully into the goalmouth, but no club-mate was there to seize a "gilt-edged" chance. At the other end, Oag severely tested Applegate. Forcing their way goalwards, through the right wing, the County secured a corner. Mackay placed the ball in the goalmouth only for Campbell to punch it clear off a crowd of players' heads. Early in the picture Applegate shone when he saved a certain goal from Frank Wilson. Equally unfortunate was Gow, when he failed to head correctly Mackay's delightful cross, the ball soaring over the cross bar. Ten minutes of play had passed when Wick opened their account. From the edge of the penalty area Frank Wilson found the net with a brilliant shot which completely beat Applegate. With first blood, Wick gained in confidence. Oag quickly secured a second, and Thomson, a back incidentally, had a third from a long kick, which Applegate misjudged. Oag, always a danger spot to County, paved the way for the fourth Wick score, Mulraine, with his head doing the necessary. Here County had a fight back—much to their supporters' delight. Mackay missed a fine chance, when with Campbell only in front of him he gently tapped the ball to him. Macdonald brightened this live period by beating Campbell, when County could claim their first real attack had been initiated. After the cross over, County were expected to find their feet. But it was not to be. Mulraine quickly got away. Out went the ball to Oag, who made Malloy's task of scoring simple. County re-arranged their team, but it was of little use. Wick were beyond a doubt, "cocks-of-the-north." Young Urquhart gave the visiting supporters some crumbs of comfort with his clever football, but the right wing from which so much was expected, never hit it off. Mulraine, always open to a chance, put Wick six up, while young Urquhart drew a well-deserved cheer and a reward for his good play by beating Campbell with a low, fast drive. The game thus ended with Wick, or the day's play, clearly the better side.