Clachnacuddin

Clachnacuddin leapt above their hosts Rothes with victory at MacKessack Park. Although the Lilywhites built up a commanding lead with two first-half goals, it wasn't all plain-sailing for Clach as a couple of late goals ensure Rothes ran it right to the wire.

Rothes were taken by surprise early on as Clach grabbed an opener after just five minutes. The move started when striker Mark Kennedy recieved the ball from the right inside channel, and knocked it back to Brian MacLeod to slot it by the helpless Ricky Horne from just outside the box.

Rothes carved out a half-chance after Michael Fletcher's free-kick just short of the halfway line was hit into a dangerous area, with the visiting defence having to react rapidly to prevent the superb curling ball finding a Rothes shirt.

However, the home pressure was dispelled when Clach went 2-0 up. A cross by Paul Brindle from the left wing evaded the worried Rothes defence, before the ball eventually found the tall figure of Mark Kennedy. The forward slotted the ball over Ricky Horne's arm from just outside the six yard box.

After a quiet fifteen minute period following the two early goals, Kennedy found himself with a wonderful chance to grab a decisive third. Kennedy made a run through the inside right channel and got inside the eighteen yard box, before drilling a low, powerful shot towards the far corner. However, superb reactions from Horne gave him enough time to get down palm it out for a corner.

Half-time: Rothes 0-2 Clachnacuddin

The second-half began as the first had ended with Clach on top, coming closest when a mis-hit shot trickled by the post. Rothes created a chance of their own not long after, but goalkeeper David Harrison came out on top during a 50/50 ball in the air with Stuart Massie - who put in a hard day's graft for the hosts.

Sean McKinstry then came on for the tired looking Michael Fletcher, and gave Rothes a bit of spark. The substitution paid off as Rothes grabbed themselves a goal on the 76th minute whenMichael McKinnon got his foot to an Ashley Grant cross which came from the right inside channel. The goal reduced the visitors lead to the one goal with ten minutes remaining.

However, just four minutes later Clach got a crucial goal to kill off Rothes' comeback. It came after substitute Chris Ross popped up to slot another goal beyond Horne at his back

Right on the 90 minute mark Rothes grabbed another goal, as the lively substitute Sean McKinstry appeared at the back post before drilling a fine volley past the Clach custodian. However, the goal was to come too late for the Speysiders, and the visitors took all three points home to Inverness.

Full-time: Rothes 2-3 Clachnacuddin
Reporter: Craig Brian