Date	Saturday, 10 September 1932
Competition	Scottish Qualifying Cup
Fixture/Score	Nairn County 2:1 Ross County
Venue	Station Park
Referee
Ross County
Manager	The Management Committee
Starting 11	1: Peter Brett, 2: Thomas Anderson, 3: Hector Stewart, 4: Fred MacLeod, 5: Ackie Urquhart, 6: Roddie Garrow, 7: J Black 1, 8: Dave Cowie, 9: Ian Aird, 10: Dick Traill, 11: Robert MacLeod
Bench
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Nairn County 2 Ross County 1 Ross County were ousted from the Qualifying Cup on Saturday by Nairn County on the latter’s pitch, but in their defeat the Ross-shire lads were magnificent and their team managers deserve all credit for getting together eleven men, who, without a player-coach, can put up such a clever, stirring game as they did against Nairn. Any team opposing Nairn County on the Nairn ground is at a decided disadvantage from the start, due to the narrowness of the pitch. It cramps their style and their passes and defensive tactics are all upset, whereas Nairn are in their element and can outwit the cleverest of opposition. None the less, Nairn deserved their win. Their team, a blend of youth and experience, has welded together with the utmost success as their League record shows. There are a few familiar faces in the black and gold jerseys, who have featured in various other Highland League teams in past seasons, notably among whom are Robertson (Clach and Caley), Thompson (Thistle and a previous Nairn player now in the veteran stage), Harvey (Forres) and Miller (Elgin). Nairn had the advantage of a strong breeze to start with and soon bore down on Brett, whose first clearances were confidently executed, one save from Harvey being particularly good. Fred Macleod, at the other end, delivered an excellent shot which rebounded off the bar. The County defence was strongly assailed and Anderson and Stewart, although puzzled by the pitch, were performing with confidence. County raids were always a danger, and the forwards gave evidence of having the ability to score provided they were given the chance, but once again Aird was roped in and well-attended to. A goal for Nairn was always on the cards, but it was a County defender who scored for them off a miskick. County’s reply was vigorous and deserved success, but the wily Thompson was at his best and intervened with skill and confidence, while Mackenzie in the Nairn goal was very safe. Nairn went further ahead. Mackintosh forced a corner and from the kick, Morrison found the net with his head. A two-nil deficit at half-time did not disturb the Ross-shire men. End-to-end play characterised the first part of the second half with Black shooting wildly over when in position. Cowie had another rasping shot sail narrowly past, while Urquhart also had a pop at Mackenzie. Anderson and Urquhart were prominent in defence, while Stewart got away a corner kick just in time. Exchanges were even and excitement kept at fever pitch, but try as they might, the County forwards could not get an opening, while the wing men were too prone to get the ball away, consequently playing into the hands of the Nairn defenders, who made a strong point of watching Aird. Fine football was displayed by both elevens with Nairn the cleverer and more effective in covering up and finding their man with the ball. R. Macleod and Garrow tried hard to force matters and as time wore on, the whole of the County defence went into the attack but luck and a brilliant Nairn defence were against them. They did get a goal but it came in the closing seconds of the match. Had this goal accrued say 20 minutes from the end, it would have been a great urge to Ross County, and it is very probable that once the net was found they would have managed a draw. Ross County as a whole played well. The pitch hampered them, as already stated, but their fight was a noble one. Chief honours go to the defence and Cowie. Cowie at present is playing at the top of his form and his exhibition on Saturday was brilliant. The re-arranged half-line was an improvement on the previous week. Urquhart settled into the centre-half berth, while Garrow goes on improving and displayed more forcing tactics. R. Macleod’s inclusion certainly strengthens the team. More individual work by Black, of which he is certainly capable, would be profitable. With Aird so well watched it is necessary for the wing men to draw some of the defence before centring the ball and consequently give the centre more scope. Trail was not happy as an inside forward; it is a pity that such a strong half-back has to be played out of position. Fred Macleod is more profitable as an inside man. He has the happy knack of getting goals from that position. But there, Ross County never have had any luck in the Qualifying ties. Never yet have they had a home draw. Nairn supporters, one and all, voted them the best side yet seen in Nairn this year, and would not have grudged them a draw, while Ross-shire as a drawing power was amply proved on Saturday when the gate at Nairn was the largest ever collected by the club.