(12/02/2022 – BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE – MACKESSACK PARK, ROTHES)

LOSSIEMOUTH were brought back to earth with a bump after recents wins as ROTHES turned in a functional performance to ease past their out-of-sorts guests. An edgy, error-strewn first half from Lossie allowed Rothes to reach the interval three goals up, and while the second half performance was much more composed, Lossie’s failure to take any of their chances meant the result was never in doubt.

Pre-match, Rothes made noise about missing players and come kick-off the hosts had found eleven men to start but were somewhat short-staffed on the bench, naming just three outfield players.

Lossie began proceedings climbing the Mackessack Park slope, into the wind and with an awkward low sun in the eyes of the visitors, and from the off it was clear Lossie were a different beast to the games of the last fortnight. Nervous and showing a lack of composure, Lossie were lucky Rothes were far from at their best and only an unfortuate bobble stopped Ben Johnstone from opening the scoring eight minutes after he’d waltzed through the Lossie defence.

Midway through the first half, with Lossie still to settle down, Rothes opened the scoring. Greg Morrison found space to shoot from the edge of the area and the ball either hit a divot or a leg on the way towards goal, and bounced out of reach of Kelly and into the net. Nine minutes later Johnstone made amends for his earlier miss, after once again easing through the Lossie back line before slotting the ball low into the net. Just ninety seconds later, the game was done. From the restart, Lossie played the ball back the way and into the path of their hosts, and Alan Pollock gleefully added the third goal of the game.

HALF TIME – ROTHES 3-0 LOSSIEMOUTH

Naturally, the wind and sun that had blighted Lossie’s first half and which was hoped would hang around long enough to cause Rothes problems disappeared before the second half began, but Lossie reappeared looking a lot calmer and the opening stages of the half saw the away side on top. Unfortunately, when presented with opportunities Lossie failed to take them. Ryan Stuart drew a save from Mackenzie and the ball bounced towards Ross Archibald, but the rebound shot went up, clipped the bar and over the goal. Another goalmouth scramble ended with Connor Macaulay shooting wide of goal.

Rothes put the game to bed eighteen minutes from the end. A Lossie attack ended with the referee waving play on after a foul on Fergus Edwards, and while Lossie were distracted with their grievance Rothes took off downfield. Aidan Wilson chased through on goal and got to the ball on the edge of the penalty area fractionally ahead of Kelly, won the duel for the ball and stroked it into the empty net.

Both sides made their remaining subs as the clock wound down and the sun finally disappeared from view, and after a booking for James Leslie the referee put everyone out of their misery and blew for time.

With an improved second half performance under their belts, Lossie at least departed the deep south with something to build on, but playing well in both halves next week is a must as table-topping Fraserburgh come to town.

FULL TIME – ROTHES 4-0 LOSSIEMOUTH

TEAMS:

ROTHES – Iain Mackenzie; Ryan McRitchie, Michael Finnis, Ben Johnstone, Bruce Milne, Fraser Robertson, Ross Gunn (Ewan McLauchlan (67)), Alan Pollock , Gary Kerr (Allen Mackenzie (76)), Greg Morrison, Aidan Wilson (Paul Macleod (76)); UNUSED SUBS – Sean McCarthy

LOSSIEMOUTH – Oliver Kelly; Fergus Edwards, Dean Stewart, Lewis McAndrew, Michael Weir, Liam Archibald, Connor Macaulay, Ross Morrison (Niall Kennedy (84)), Ryan Stuart (James Leslie (76)), Ryan Farquhar, Ross Archibald (Max Taylor (67)); (UNUSED SUBS – Fraser Forbes, Ally Bellingham, Callum Carr, Danny Hall

GOALS:

Rothes – Greg Morrison (22), Ben Johnstone (32), Alan Pollock (33), Aidan Wilson (72)

REFEREE:

Gordon Seago