Pictures: Huntly get first Highland League victory as Gavin Elphinstone's first minute goal sees off Deveronvale
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Huntly celebrated their opening victory of the Highland League campaign at the expense of Deveronvale on Saturday.
The Christie Park side had slipped to second bottom after four defeats and just a solitary league draw against Rothes.
But Gavin Elphinstone's rapid strike was enough to collect Huntly's first three-pointer of the campaign.
Allan Hale's side return to action tonight when they host a young Aberdeen side in the quarter-finals of the Aberdeenshire Cup.
Vale’s trip to Christie Park certainly didn’t get off to a good start, as midfielder Ben Allan broke down in the warm-up and had to be replaced in the starting line-up by Michael Watson, who was promoted from the bench.
Perhaps the change to their line-up unsettled the visitors as they conceded a goal within the opening minute, Elphinstone netting from close range.
Huntly then had a goal disallowed for offside as Deveronvale took time to settle into the contest.
Watson was thwarted by a fine save from home keeper Euan Storrier in Vale’s first chance of note.
Innes McKay was then denied a shooting chance at a corner when his effort was thwarted by a timely challenge in the penalty area.
At the other end, Vale keeper Sean McIntosh was kept busy, making a series of good saves.
Vale were struggling to create many chances in a scrappy encounter, though, captain Harry Noble came close with a header.
The final scoring opportunity fell to Vale’s young substitute striker Antonio Jam with a header just before the end which Storrier gathered.
It was Vale’s second defeat of the week, as they went down 3-0 at home to Inverurie Locos last Wednesday.
McKay scored an own goal and strikes by Lloyd Robertson and Garry Wood earned full points for the Harlaw Park men.
