Highland League Cup sees Rothes and Lossiemouth new managers take heavy defeats while Keith crash to five first half goals
The Highland League’s two newest managerial recruits endured a baptism of fire on League Cup Saturday.
Rothes appointed Ronnie Sharp as their new boss this week and he watched his team be crushed by a second half goal blitz by Formartine United.
Lossiemouth’s new boss Steve Porter saw captain Liam Archibald sent off as they crashed 4-1 at home to Deveronvale in the first round of the Highland League Cup
There’s clearly a big rebuilding job to be done in Speyside for ex-Nairn manager Sharp.
His new club hosted Formartine for the second time this season - the first time saw the Pitmedden club win 10-2 on the second weekend of the league season.
United inflicted similar damage at MacKessack Park in their return visit, although only a goal by on-loan Peterhead attacker Robert Ward separated the sides at the interval.
It all caved in for Rothes in the second 45, as two own goals contributed to an 8-1 thrashing, with Owen Alexander netting the home side’s only goal.
Lossie went down heavily to Vale for the second time in a month.
Ben Hermiston netted first for the Banff side on 26 minutes before James Leslie quickly levelled for the Coasters.
That was as good as it got for Lossie, who conceded a second to Keane Matheson then had skipper Archibals shown a straight red before half time.
The visitors made the extra man count after the break with goals from Olek Dlugosz and Jack Mitchell sealing a 4-1 win.
Buckie Thistle were the only one of Moray’s five clubs to go through with a 2-0 win over Clach.
Marcus Goodall netted early on and Liam Harvey’s first goal for Jags wrapped it up.
Keith endured a nightmare first half at home to Brora Rangers.
Andrew MacLeod’s hat-trick and strikes by Michael Finnis and Shane Sutherland had the Cattachs on easy street after 45 minutes. Fortunately for the Maroons, Brora didn’t add to their tally after the break as it finished 5-0.
Fraserburgh captain Willie West made a remarkable 700th appearance for the Buchan club in their 2-0 success over Forres Mechanics.
Josh Bolton’s 12th minute goal and a late Connor Wood finish made the difference between the teams.
Huntly hosted Wick Academy for the third time this season, and struck late to register their third victory over the Caithness men.
A league win and a Scottish Cup penalty shoot-out success for the Black and Golds’ preceded Saturday’s League Cup clash which certainly didn’t go all Huntly’s way.
Kyle Henderson and Marc MacGregor twice had the Scorries in front but Ryan Sewell and Angus Grant - with his 21st of the season - pegged Wick back.
it was 2-2 going into the final five minutes before player coach Alex Thoirs edged Huntly in front and Michael Clark and Sam Robertson added two more at the death.
Banks o’ Dee stunned hosts Nairn County with a six-goal unanswered salvo at Station Park.
Liam Duell’s penalty started the rout and Lachie MacLeod before half time, then Max Alexander, Iain Vigurs and Chris Antoniazzi (2) netted to rub salt in home wounds.
Brechin City edged out Inverurie Locos 2-1 with second half goals by Ryan Ferguson and Dayle Robertson - who was later sent off - rendering Mark Souter’s 77th minute goal to be a consolation.
