Huntly ease to opening day win against Rothes
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HUNTLY got off to the perfect start in their opening Highland League fixture on Saturday after demolishing Rothes 4-1.
Michael Dangana gave the Black and Golds an early lead at Mackessack Park when he slammed in the opener following the Speysiders’ failure to clear their lines.
As they did for much of the afternoon, Huntly exposed a stagnant Rothes backline to double their advantage on the counter attack. Dangana once again proved pivotal, getting in behind before laying the ball off to Lewis Crosbie for a tap in.
Huntly should have made it three just after half time from the penalty spot after Dangana was brought down by Gary Kerr. However, Dangana’s effort was saved by Sean McCarthy and Brodie Allen missed the rebound.
Allen atoned for his miss, however, when he headed home his side’s third of the afternoon following James Connolly’s pinpoint cross.
Fraser Robertson pulled one back for the hosts on 70 minutes after powering a header past Fraser Hobday in the Huntly goal.
However, Huntly snuffed out any notion of an unlikely Rothes comeback two minutes later. A goal kick from Hobday caused chaos in the Rothes defence and Robbie Foster took advantage to clip in his side’s fourth of the afternoon.
Huntly manager Alan Hale was pleased with his side's performance.
He said: "I thought we continued from where we left off from last season.
"You're never satisfied in a game but defensively I can't recall too many moments where we were breached and where we were cut open. I don' t think Fraser (Hobday) had too many saves to make during the game.
"On the counter we looked such a threat. I thought we executed the goals really well. I thought they were outstanding team goals. It shows that the work we're putting in on the training pitch is working but it's just a start. It's only three points but great to get off to this kind of start nonetheless."
Rothes manager Ross Jack said his side were "way off the pace" and added that his side were missing a host of first team regulars including last season's top scorer Aidan Wilson.
He said: "I thought we were very poor today, although it certainly doesn’t help when you have seven unfit players sitting in the stand.
“Huntly showed spells of good play but they didn’t have to play brilliantly to score their goals against us.
“We were way off the pace.”
Huntly will host Brechin City in their next game on Saturday while Rothes will host Brora Rangers.
