First Round – Saturday 17th January 1948 – Grant Street Park, Inverness
Clachnacuddin 0 St Johnstone 2
Before a 8,850 crowd paying £522 exclusive of stand Clach put up a valiant fight against their Scottish ‘B’ Division opponents before eventually going down by two goals to nil. They did not disgrace themselves or Highland League football. A soft surface on a frosted pitch gave a great advantage to the main in possession. St Johnstone adapted better to conditions in first half. This did not suit Clach powerhouse Baxter. Clach had early play but failed to capitalise. Dangerman Pines was well held by St Johnstone pivot Johnstone. St Johnstone scored eighteen minutes from the interval. A shot was blocked by MacDougall but he was unable to hold the ball. Brown the visitor’s centre forward was following up and slammed the ball into the net. At the start of the second half Clach were forcing the pace in a great effort to equalise. However, after fifteen minutes Hazle, attempting to clear, sliced the ball and it fell at the feet of St Johnstone’s Goldie. He curled his first time drive into the top left hand corner of Clach’s goal leaving MacDougall powerless to save. Baxter moved up forward and Clach threw everything at the St Johnstone defence in an attempt to score, but to no avail. The Perth side were still dangerous on the breakaway. The game ended with St Johnstone crowding their goalmouth. Clach had not disgraced themselves and had to be content with a very gallant failure every one of their players a hero.
Clach Team - MacDougall; Hazle; MacKay; Baxter (Captain); MacLean; Kane; MacKenzie; Siegel; Pines; Wemyss; W Jamieson
Referee Mr W Webb, Glasgow
The Golden Season - Scottish Cup
