Highland League: Strathspey Thistle crush Rothes to send Speysiders to bottom spot while Forres Mechanics strike late to end leaders Brechin City’s unbeaten start
Rothes slipped to the bottom of the Highland League after a demoralising 6-0 defeat at home to Strathspey Thistle.
The Speysiders hosted the team previously in last place, with Jags managing just one win prior to their visit to MacKessack Park.
The Grantown side surged into a 4-0 lead by half time, making up their goal difference on Rothes in the process.
Goals by James McShane, Daniel Whitehorn, Paul Brindle (penalty) and Josh Race put Strathspey in command.
Brindle added his second and even after having Race sent off, Thistle scored a sixth through Kieran Chalmers to seal an emphatic win and a disastrous afternoon for Rothes and manager Richard Hastings.
Forres Mechanics ended Brechin City’s unbeaten start to the league season with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Mosset Park.
After going behind to a Fraser Macleod goal midway through the first half, the Cans took the lead through Calum Frame’s seventh goal of the season and a Jordan Alonge effort.
Brechin sub Dayle Robertson levelled before half time and it stayed 2-2 until the 91st minute of the match when Aidan Cruickshank plundered a winner.
Keith climbed out of the bottom three thanks to on-loan Formartine United teenager Brody Alberts’ 88th minute winner at Wick Academy earning a 1-0 Maroons’ success.
Deveronvale hit form at home to Lossiemouth, winning by four goals to nil.
Adam Reid scored twice in the first half and missed a penalty, while ben Hermiston and Jack Mitchell sealed the win, while Lossie had ex-Vale keeper Stuart Knight sent off for two bookings in quick succession before the break.
His replacement Aaron Anderson saved Reid’s spot kick while Vale keeper Ethan Hopkinson thwarted the Coasters with several fine stops.
Champions Buckie Thistle crashed to their seventh league defeat to drop into the bottom half of the table.
Paul Campbell scored the only goal of the game just after half time to give home team Formartine United a 1-0 success over Jags.
Huntly came from behind to defeat Nairn County 2-1. Gary Kerr’s strike early in the second half had County ahead but Callum Murray levelled and Angus Grant’s 18th goal of the season on 83 minutes gave the Christie Park men full points.
Paul Young’s first half goal earned Fraserburgh a 1-0 success at home to Inverurie Locos.
Three goals in an eight minute spell in the first half landed Banks o’ Dee a 3-0 win at Turriff United with Michael Philipson (2) and Kane Winton on target.
Brora Rangers won the North of Scotland Cup in Nairn after a 6-1 victory over Clachnacuddin.
