Buchan men too hot for Rothes
PETERHEAD side Panasonic Tavern continued their wrecking spree of Moray clubs in the Highland Welfare Cup by winning Sunday’s replayed tie at Rothes A.
The Buchan men were too strong for the Moray Premier Division leaders and won 8-2 to book their place in the quarter-finals, where they will host Portsoy this weekend.
The original Rothes v Panasonic match on July 3 was abandoned when a visiting player allegedly assaulted referee Richard Riddoch after being shown a red card.
The tie was called to a halt after 42 minutes with Panasonic leading 1-0.
Sunday’s replay lasted the full distance, and the Peterhead men seldom looked in any danger of losing the contest.
Dane Ballard – who played Highland League for Fraserburgh last season – headed them into a seventh minute lead and although Sean Johnstone rifled home an equaliser from the edge of the box, a Danny Booth double gave Panasonic a 3-1 interval lead.
Andrew MacKinnon hit the bar with a 20 yard free kick for Rothes, and two more strikes by Jay Watson and Ballard took the tie beyond the Moray side.
MacKinnon pulled one back on the hour, and the away keeper pulled off a great save from Euan Mellis to prevent Rothes from mounting a comeback.
Watson headed in a sixth for the Peterhead men, Ballard completed his hat-trick and Eddie McKenna wrapped it up on 84 minutes.
Panasonic had thrashed Moray sides Mosstodloch (23-0) and White Eagles (13-1) in previous rounds of the competition.
