Saturday 27 August
Qualifying Cup 1st Round: Huntly 0 Rothes 1

Rothes showed their win over Inverurie Locos was no fluke as they shocked HFL title holders Huntly, knocking them out of the Scottish Cup in the first Qualifying round writes Grant Turner.

The home side were the first to threaten with Gary McGowan's run down the left and curling effort that was heading into the top corner requiring Darren Strong to nimbly tip it over the bar.

At the other end Michael Ewen was about to post a warning that his pace would be a thorn in the side of the Huntly defence as he got in behind Simon Scott to tee up debutant Dod Massie but he fired narrowly wide.

Huntly went back on the attack and Jerry O'Driscoll curled an effort just over the bar on the half hour mark then the striker crossed for Darren Shallicker who, having held off his marker brought out a fine save from Darren Strong, who got down quickly at his near post.

Minutes later, Mark Adam received a throw from Iain MacRae on the left and was left on his own 25 yards out but thankfully for the home side his effort flashed by the post.

The half ended with Richard Bowman diving to save a Chris Henderson shot from the edge of the area after Michael Ewen had rolled the ball along the edge of the area and into the former Huntly man's path.

Half Time: Huntly 0 Rothes 0

Henderson was clearly enjoying being back in familiar surroundings as he headed just over from a Kevin Collins corner then a minute later released Michael Ewen who eventually shot wide posting notice that Rothes had the belief.

Midway through the half, Richard Craig came on in place of the ineffective Shallicker to mark his first competitive appearance in 17 months following a lengthy injury lay-off.

Their confidence paid off in the 70th minute when Michael Ewen got in on the left wing this time and cut back and with Neil Reid in no-man's-land, he was able to cross into the six yard box for Euan Grant to head in unmarked.

Ewen then blotted his copybook in spectacular fashion, getting himself sent off for a needless dissent eight minutes later following a Mark Adams foul on Matt Gairns. Adam was booked for the challenge then was followed into the ref's book by Kevin Collins who said too much to Referee Jason Hasson.

As expected Huntly went searching for a way back into the tie but try as they might it wasn't to come as some staunch defending, with Nathan Sharp in particular looking outstanding at the back, and some poor finishing keeping Rothes ahead.

With 5 minutes remaining, the returning Craig missed a real sitter for the hosts shooting over with the keeper to beat while Ross Campbell headed wide only 4 minutes later after Craig turned provider from a left wing cross.

Then in stoppage time a coat of paint denied Huntly a replay when Russell Guild's cross was met by Jerry O'Driscoll who struck the underside of the bar proving it just wasn't to be.