Rothes 1 Huntly 0: Battling Huntly go down to narrow defeat
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ROTHES started the new Highland League season with three points after a scrappy 1-0 victory against Huntly on Saturday.
The Speysiders, who displayed the Highland League Cup trophy on the park before kick off, sent their fans home happy after the hard-fought success.
A limit of 300 fans was set for the match, with something nearing capacity through the gates before kick off.
Rothes boss Ross Jack was pleased to have the fans back – and was happy his side got this season's shortened campaign off to a winning start.
He said: "I was happy to get the game over with the supporters in, with a 1-0 win and a clean sheet.
"It was great to see the fans in. I thought everybody was quiet and a bit subdued but the game didn't lend itself to people getting too carried away.
"It was not a pretty game by any means. The pitch wasn't conducive to good football and the ball was in the air a lot.
"But we battled away and I'm happy to get off to a good start."
There was a flashpoint within five seconds of kick off – with Ross Still lucky to avoid a booking for a late challenge which angered a few in Rothes colours.
But that didn't set the tone by any means as the game struggled to reach full throttle.
Huntly keeper Euan Storrier did well to keep the scores level on 10 minutes, denying Ali Sutherland and Ross Gunn from close range.
He was powerless on 18 minutes, though, as Rothes midfielder Fraser Robertson headed the hosts in front after a great ball in from the right from Craig Cormack.
Huntly's best chance of the first half came from long range as Glenn Murison's drive was tipped over by Sean McCarthy.
The next clear chance for either side didn't come until 70 minutes were on the clock. A long, looping ball caught out Huntly defender Cammy Bowden but Gary Kerr's well-executed lob hit the outside of the post and rolled wide.
Huntly had a superb chance to level the scores with ten minutes to play when Ross Still's cutback was deflected into the path of Rhys Thomas, but he blasted wide from inside the box.
Rothes could have finished the game off in style when Sutherland squared for Kerr – but the striker pulled up while lunging to make contact with the low ball.
Rothes' next game sees them travel to Strathspey, while Huntly host Deveronvale.
Huntly boss Allan Hale said: "I thought we deserved at least a point.
"I thought our performance was excellent and I'm really pleased with the players.
"We came up here with seven injured players, with numerous new players coming in, against a team who finished third and deservedly won the cup.
"I thought our reaction to going behind was excellent and we asked questions of them defensively. We were unfortunate not to come away with a point."
