Date	Saturday, 02 September 1989
Competition	Highland League
Fixture/Score	Nairn County 0:1 Ross County
Venue	Station Park
Referee
Ross County
Manager	Robert (Bobby) Wilson
Starting 11	1: Derek Rudkin, 2: Christopher (Chris) Somerville, 3: Gary Campbell, 4: Robert (Robbie) Williamson, 5: Scott Lemmon, 6: Don Cowie (SNR), 7: George Stewart 1, 8: Cameron Robertson, 9: James MacKay, 10: Gordon Connelly, 11: Albert Allan
Bench	0: Barry Wilson, 0: Lee O'Brien
Attendance
Match Report	Report from the Ross-shire Journal. Nairn County 0 Ross County 1 Saturday in September over the past nine years, the writer has been toiling on the slopes of Ben Nevis in the annual hill race, but this year injury prevented his annual “pilgrimage”. What better solace for a “grieving athlete”, away from the hustle and bustle of Fort William, where one might be tempted to take part, than attendance at Station Park, Nairn, where the two Counties were meeting in battle-royale? With periodic glances at the watch throughout this encounter one gauged the stage at which his "particular race” would have reached at half-time (3.45), when possibly the last few faltering steps might have been taken to the summit turning point; and to 4.50, when his race could have been over = Anyway, the Station Park “substitution” for Athletics, proved most satisfying, for with other ardent Ross County fans, the writer shared a glorious victory, and hopefully a start on the way to the top again. It is interesting to note that as a result of collecting three points at Nairn, Ross County have risen from the bottom of the league to half-way up the table. Another thing, it was a case of being three points to the good on the same fixture last year, when victory went to Nairn. From the start Ross County settled quickly, with Don Cowie’s strident voice keeping everyone in touch. Indeed players generally maintained a cacophony of sound throughout the game, and when spectators were silent their voices drowned the most polite of conversation. Somehow, Don’s continual flow of instruction seems to do a power of good in holding the boys together, giving them a rallying spot, as the flag of a regiment did in battles of long ago. Don’s presence has lifted the players in recent games, as they have been putting their act together. With two former Ross County players in the Nairn line-up — David Bellshaw and David Jackson — it was anticipated that little quarter would be given or asked, and it wasn’t, the end result being that the former had his name taken in the later stages of the game. The game was played at a fast pace, and from the outset Ross County imposed their superiority on the scheme of things, showing the more ingenuity and intent, using the ball and players to the best advantage in sweeping moves upfield. In these right back Chris Somerville played no little part. With Chris around in his darting runs up the wing, the loss of Billy Ferries to Elgin City, does not seem so great, and with former Clach player George Stewart showing potential upfront and in midfield, the future could not be as dark as it once threatened to be. And, then again, O’Brien, the young teenager from Aviemore, could be just what the doctor ordered, not that one had to chance to gauge his full ability in his “late-substitute” role. Robbie Williamson plays the quiet effective game, and never was he seen to greater effect than in the 13th minute, when he took a ball from defence and cut strongly down the left wing, opponents trailing in his wake. He flighted a perfectly placed ball to the far post, enough distance out from goal to give the keeper thought — should he move out to intercept or not. Billy Neilson moved, but not quickly and determinedly enough, and there was George Stewart meeting the ball and brilliantly heading it home. Ross County maintained pressure on the Nairn goal, and another attack down the right wing with a cross‘ from Somerville was headed on to the bar by Connolly. Further chances came to Connolly and to Stewart, but keeper Neilson was in brilliant form, and prevented scores. There were claims for penalties at both ends in the second half. For Ross County, when Scott Lemmon was cutting towards the Nairn goal, and was brought down, falling inside the box; and when Nairn claimed that one of the County defenders had handled. As the game closed, Nairn lost the services of Main, who has been selected for the Scottish Railways team. He was stretchered off with a broken ankle. Ross County could not consolidate their score, despite their efforts, which came to naught as a result of good keeping by Neilson, and some off-target shooting. ~ However, the Ross men gained three hard-earned points. This week, Rothes provides the opposition.