Highland League midweek: Josh Peters scored four Buckie Thistle goals in 20 minutes while Rothes concede 100th goal in heavy loss at Fraserburgh
Buckie Thistle striker Josh Peters’ 20-minute, four-goal first half blitz was the big achievement of the Highland League midweek programme.
Peters was back in his old Grantown stomping ground against his first club Strathspey and showed no mercy for his former employers with a finishing masterclass.
It was goalless at Seafield Park for 25 minutes before Peters netted his first goal, adding another ten minutes later.
Two penalty awards for Buckie in the closing five minutes of the half allowed Peters to score two more and complete a fantastic first half for the visitors.
Strathspey actually won the second half as Liam Shewan pulled one back before Buckie went home with a 4-1 win in the bag.
Rothes couldn’t climb above Strathspey and out of bottom spot after going down 6-1 at Fraserburgh - they’ve now conceded 100 league goals this season.
Having already lost 7-0 and 8-0 to the Buchan side this season, Rothes were on the receiving end once again at Bellslea Park.
First half goals by Aidan Sopel and Sean Butcher had Broch in command, before Jake Thomson’s strike for the Speysiders just after half time offering the Moray side some hope.
That soon vanished as two more by Butcher on 57 and 68 minutes completed the night’s second hat-trick.
Youngster Flynn McKay then scored a penalty ten minutes from time, the 99th goal conceded by the MacKessack Park men in the league this season.
The ton wasn’t far away as Stuart Laird scored on 86 minutes to complete a rough night for Rothes.
Lossiemouth gave Formartine United a scare before going down to a solitary second half goal.
It was goalless at North Lodge Park for 63 minutes until Robert Ward broke the deadlock for United on 63 minutes with what proved to be the winner.
Brechin City’s interim manager Ray McKinnon got off to a winning start in Banff.
Following Patrick Cregg’s departure as boss earlier this week, McKinnon was appointed as caretaker in the effort to keep the Angus club’s title hopes alive after a series of recent draws.
Former Celtic, Motherwell, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone veteran Cillian Sheridan scored twice as Brechin led Deveronvale 3-0 at the interval, Ewan Loudon also on target.
There were no more goals in the second half, although Vale player boss Garry Wood was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for dissent.
Brechin were hoping for a slip-up from leaders Brora Rangers and although the high-scoring Cattachs found things tough at home to Nairn County, they scraped through.
After a frustrating 70 minutes, a penalty converted by Connor Bunce broke County’s resistance and nicked the win Brora craved.
For the first time since August, Huntly striker Angus Grant failed to score at Christie Park where he had netted in 12 consecutive matches.
The Black and Golds had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Banks o’ Dee.
Sam Robertson scored early for the home team and former Huntly hitman Andy Hunter levelled on 21 minutes.
