Highland League Cup drama as Deveronvale win penalty shoot-out after losing three-goal lead to Huntly while Clachnacuddin thump Lossiemouth in Highland League
It was a day of drama in the Highland League Cup with both quarter-final ties going to penalty shoot-outs.
Huntly staged an incredible comeback at home to Deveronvale, trailing 3-1 going into stoppage time before scoring twice to force penalties.
Indeed Vale had a 3-0 lead going into the closing 15 minutes.
Harry Noble and Ben Hermiston had the Banff men two-up at the break and when Jack Mitchell added a third before the hour, Huntly had a mountain to climb.
Angus Grant’s 24th goal of the season gave the home side some hope, and a Ryan Sewell goal on the 90 minutes forced a late push which also triggered a Vale own goal in the second minute of stoppage time.
Vale keeper Ethan Hopkinson was the visiting hero, saving Huntly’s first two kicks from James Connelly and Grant.
Huntly keeper Calum Brodie also saved two from Cammy Angus and Adam Reid after Noble netted the first Vale kick, but Ross Still missed Huntly’s third kick and although Fin Allen netted their fourth, the damage was done as Dem Yunus and Murray Esson scored to send Vale through 3-1 on penalties.
It was the same margin of victory at Dudgeon Park, Brora Rangers beating Formartine United 3-1 on penalties after Jordan MacRae’s last minute strike forced the shoot-out.
Deveronvale and Brora join Banks o’ Dee in the semi-finals, with Buckie Thistle’s clash against Fraserburgh postponed and awaiting a rearranged date.
In the Highland League, Clachnacuddin were too strong for Lossiemouth in the only game to beat the weather.
Doubles by James Anderson and Jack Mackay helped the Inverness men to a 5-1 success with Troy cooper also on target.
Shaun Cameron’s fiorst goal for Lossie briefly had the Coasters back in the game at 2-1 down in the first half.
Keith’s match at Strathspey Thistle passed a morning pitch inspection, but was called off after the Maroons arrived in Grantown as incessant rain made the Seafield Park surface unplayable.
Wick Academy’s match against Turriff United was also called off.
There was some action in the north juniors, with Lossiemouth United closing the gap on leaders Banchory St Ternan to two points with a 2-1 victory at Glentanar.
The Aberdonians scored first before Ben Cullen and Calum Milton replied for Lossie in the first half, and neither side could find the net in the second half.
New Elgin beating Dufftown 6-3 in a Championship derby.
Dufftown led 2-1 at the break through a Kieran Hayllar douible and although the on-loan Forres striker went on to complete his hat-trick, strikes by Kasper Kwolik (2), Aiden Mackay, Kieron Cameron, Rab Forsyth and Aidan Mackenzie won the day for New Elgin.
Burghead Thistle went down 2-1 at home to Longside, conceding twice in the opening seven minutes before Jamie Davidson got one back before half time.
Deveronside beat Cruden Bay 8-0 with Owen Christie netting a hat-trick and further goals by Kieran Anderson, Caden Beaton (2), Kyle Buxton and Ahren Duncan.
