RAF Lossiemouth's winning run ends as FC Fochabers defeat WJ Tewnion Memorial Trophy holders on penalties
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After 11 consecutive wins, RAF Lossiemouth's perfect start to the season has been ended by a cup exit.
The airmen's reign as holders of the WJ Tewnion Memorial Trophy is over following a penalty shoot-out defeat to FC Fochabers on Friday.
Revenge was sweet for league champs Fochabers, who were knocked out of last season's competition by Lossie and narrowly lost the league meeting between the teams at the start of the month.
In a proverbial game of two halves, the servicemen dominated the first 45 minutes and led through a fine Dean Stevenson finish into the top corner.
Fochabers, who had a first half John Leggat penalty saved by Lossie keeper Tristan Fahey, equalised through Declan Clark who got on the end of a free kick with ten minutes to go.
It was the visitors who emerged as winners by a 4-2 scoreline after spot kicks.
Next up for Fochabers in the semis is a trip to Craigellachie, who edged out Rothes in a Speyside derby.
Goals by Jacob Imlach and Cameron Grant earned victory for Craig, with Adam Irvine replying for Rothes.
Another derby saw Banffshire coast rivals Cullen and Portsoy do battle for the second time this season.
'Soy won the league meeting 4-1 but Cullen gained revenge as a late penalty edged them through 3-2.
There was a real competitive edge to this derby, with Cullen being made to pay for a couple of spurned chances when Jack Mitchell fired Portsoy in front after 15 minutes.
A good response from the home side saw Will Ramsay equalising with a decent finish into the top left corner of the net from a tight angle.
Cullen should have been ahead when Kris Murray found himself through on goal, but stumbled as the Portsoy goalkeeper rushed to close him.
A second home goal wasn't far away as Logan Mill took a great first touch to set himself up for a fantastic volley from the edge of the box, rifling the ball into the far corner.
On the stroke of half-time, following a corner kick, a Portsoy shot on goal ricocheted through a number of players and was well saved by Cameron Bruce in the Cullen goal, but Lewis Edward was first to react and slotted the ball into the net.
Portsoy had slightly the better of the second half as Cullen tired, but some good football from Cullen in the final minutes had Tommie Marandola sent through on goal, only to be brought down for a penalty.
Kris Geddes stepped up to convert and send Cullen into the semi-finals, where they will be at home to Hopeman.
Hopeman were given a good test by Elgin hosts Thunderton before their superior firepower landed a 6-3 victory.
Thunderton started the brighter of the two teams and took a deserved early lead three minutes into the game when Raymond Anderson finished from a Stevie Shand corner.
Hopeman equalised on 25 minutes after a flick-on from a corner was headed in by Gary Burr at the back post.
Thunderton restored their lead on 39 minutes after a mix-up between defender and goalkeeper saw Chris Greene capitalise and slot the ball into an empty net after a good run and a long range assist from Thunderton keeper Paul Coull.
It wasn’t long before Hopeman equalised again, three minutes later, when Jamie Lees scored from a through ball, beating the offside trap.
A frantic finish to the first half saw Hopeman score again, as a Coull punch dropped to Iain Lunan to steer into the net.
It was all square once again on 65 minutes, former Hopeman player Fraser Hayter pouncing to score when a Jon Mallinson free kick bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper.
Ten minutes later Stewart McLaren headed home from a free kick to restore Hopeman's advantage at 4-3.
This time the visitors ensured there was no way back for Thunderton as they added two more goals.
Lunan volleyed home his second of the game five minutes later, and top scorer James McLaren raced through in the closing minutes before firing through the keeper's legs to seal victory.
