Date	Saturday, 07 September 1935
Competition	Scottish Qualifying Cup
Fixture/Score	Ross County 3:1 Thurso Pentland
Venue	Victoria Park
Referee	Mr. A. Watson
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: A Ross, 2: Alexander (Ackie) MacPherson, 3: Tom Anderson, 4: William Fraser, 5: Albert MacRae, 6: Ackie Urquhart, 7: John Alex MacKenzie, 8: J.A MacKay, 9: Ian Aird 3, 10: J.A Ross, 11: J Sutherland
Bench
Attendance	300
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Ross County 3 Thurso Pentland 1 A crowd of about 300 people witnessed this game at Victoria Park, Dingwall. Albert Macrae was lucky with the coin and he compelled his opponents to face a slanting sun, but at the same time gave them the advantage of a slight breeze. The game opened slowly, both teams apparently trying to weigh each other up. The visitors drew first blood—a bye. Arbuthnot passed to Manson, who was running in. His first-time shot sailed over the top of the bar. Immediately afterwards the same player tested Ross, but found him all there. This period of pressure on the part of Thurso terminated when Mackenzie got away on the right, but his cross struck the back of the net. Urquhart followed with a glorious long-distance drive which just scraped the cross-bar. Ross County were now having the better of the exchanges. A shot from Mackay did no damage, but Aird was at fault; when well placed he used his elbow, and unfortunately (for him) the referee saw it. A spurt on the right saw Mackenzie place the ball on Aird’s head. The latter aimed for the side post, but like a cat, Baikie was there. He deserved the applause. Then Aird was tripped just outside the penalty area; Macrae took the kick, but Baikie saved. Urquhart caught the rebound, passed to Fraser, who centered. Mackay sent in a strong shot, which was blocked. In quick succession Aird, Ross and Sutherland tried to put the ball through the goal, but no! Eventually it was cleared. Then, all against the run of play, Thurso Pentland went one up. Macbeath punted the ball up the centre of the field. Arbuthnot followed it up, with Macpherson in close attendance and Anderson in support. Macpherson and Arbuthnot raced the ball goalwards. The back got in front of the centre and left the ball to Ross in goal. Arbuthnot, however, was too smart. He nipped round Macpherson and crashed the ball high into the rigging. Ross had no earthly chance. Ross County were not discouraged. Mackay tested Baikie and from a free kick Urquhart had the ball in the goalmouth, where it bobbed about in a dangerous fashion, but a defending foot always appeared at a critical moment. Encouraged by their lead, Thurso had another spell of attack and the County defence had to be on the alert to keep the ubiquitous Arbuthnot out. Macrae relieved the pressure and Aird had a fine run, but was crowded out. Another header from Aird—from a Fraser pass—was again held by Baikie. Three corners fell to Sutherland. He placed all three perfectly. At the third attempt the ball was scrambled home, Aird getting the credit for being the last man to touch it. Half-time arrived shortly after with the score 1-1. Ross County took the upper hand in the second half, although for a long period the spectators were on tenterhooks as to what would be the actual result. There is a good deal of luck in football; mistakes, sometimes very costly ones, are made. That is the reason that a match is never won till the final whistle blows. James Ross, who was playing a fine constructive game at inside-left, sent over a long pass to Mackenzie, whose final effort was well saved by Baikie. Macrae tried a shot which flashed past the post. Ross County were anxious to score and perhaps it was that anxiety that spoiled their chances. Sutherland threw away an opportunity when he placed the ball behind the goal from a corner kick; Mackenzie mis-kicked when well-placed, and a free kick taken by Macrae went over. Thurso Pentland were not idle all this time. Mackay at centre-half tried hard to let the forwards away and occasionally he succeeded, but they were seldom dangerous. The most to be feared was a solo run, a chance for which Arbuthnot was always on the look out. Manson did get away on his own but his parting shot was feeble. When their second goal did come, the home lot deserved it. Aird was standing midway between Ross and Munro. James Ross had the ball, saw the possibilities, and centred to Aird. There was a rush for the ball, but Aird had been the more alert and got quicker off his mark. Although both backs hampered him, Aird got in his shot and Baikie had no chance. From the kick-off Aird got away again, but this time Baikie saved. At the other end Ross got a fright from Manson, whose shot he was just able to get with his finger tips and put the ball over the bar. The corner proved fruitless. The County persistently pressed after this and corners were common. From one of these Sutherland flashed the ball almost across the goal-line. Baikie caught it but could not hold it. Aird pushed it through. Thurso Pentland were now a beaten and a tired team. They had shot their bolt in the first half. Later, they concentrated on defence and that did not pay. But what a defence; Baikie was excellent and he had two whole-hearted players in front of him in Ross and Munro. Mackay was the best of the half-backs and Arbuthnot the live wire in front. Both wing men did clever things, but as a whole the line did not knit together. Little need be said about the County rear. They did all that was asked of them, but it was only occasionally that they were really tested. The strength lay in the half-line. Macrae was the best man on the field, and he had excellent men on either side of him. Fraser is a coming player. Too much praise cannot be extended to the two wingers. They have craft, they have speed and above all they can cross a ball. Their corner kicking was a delight to see. Aird got the three goals. Mackay and Ross completed a clever line.