Rothes hit 11 in Highland League opener

ROTHES kicked off their Highland League season in the best possible fashion with perhaps the biggest win in their history.

The Speysiders crushed Fort William 11-1 at Mackessack Park on the opening day of their campaign.

Striker Jaime Wilson scored four times while midfielder Scott Graham grabbed a hat-trick on his debut.

New skipper Jamie Duff also grabbed a debut goal as did winger Iain Maclellan who netted two against his former club, and another ex-Fort man Scott Davidson scored the other goal.

Deveronvale won 7-0 against a young Lossiemouth team who had new boss Joe Russell in charge for the first time.

A Robert Scott double, two for new signing Leszek Nowosielski and one each for fellow new boy Robbie Allan, Dane Ballard and Michael Dunn gave Vale an ideal start.

Keith’s match against Forres Mechanics was postponed as a mark of respect for the Maroons former chairman and ex-league president Sandy Stables, who passed away on Friday.

Buckie Thistle were defeated 2-0 at home to Inverurie Locos in their opening game, and had new signing Scott Adams sent off.

Huntly lost 3-2 at home to Turriff with all five goals coming in the first half.

David Ross put the visitors in front before a debut strike by Huntly striker Kai Ross levelled matters.

Ross Anderson and James Chalmers both netted in a two minute spell for Turriff and although Reece McKeown got one back, Huntly couldn’t pull level in the second half.

Formartine United beat Nairn County 4-1, Brora kicked off with a 2-0 derby success over Wick and Fraserburgh had too much for visitors Strathspey Thistle, winning 5-1.

In the Betfred Cup, Cove Rangers pulled off a superb 2-0 win over Raith Rovers to end their group campaign in style.