Buckie Thistle crashed out  in the first round of the Fosters Highland League Cup losing 3-2 at home to Rothes.

The Jags kicked off in a change of  strip with white top, green shorts and white socks, Buckie were playing against the wind, facing the high school end of the pitch.  Rothes, with the wind advantage forced several corners in the opening twenty minutes.  Neil "Zico" Davidson then had a strong driving run but blazed over.

The Jags were playing the better football and went ahead in 25 minutes when TONY LOW cut in from the right and hit a powerfull shot which bounced in front of Rothes keeper Dunn and into the net, definately one which the keeper will not be happy with.

The Jags lead was doubled in 42 minutes when a good move between Low and Neill ended with Neill delivering a great cross which GRAEME STEWART headed home.

                                                                  Half time 2 - 0

Most people in the ground, including the away support obviously thought the game was over as a contest, as they were still inside the Function Hall when the second half started.

In 62 minutes a bad pass out of defence by Mackinnon was intercepted in midfield and Rothes drove forward where ROSS DUNCAN wasted no time in smashing home a great goal from the edge of the box.

Brian Neill was then caught in posession in midfield and Rothes equalised when KENNY HENDRY despatched the ball into the corner of the net in 69 minutes.

Buckie made several changes but in was Rothes who won the match when another mistake, this time by Bob Duncan resulted in a cross, where Main was in "no-mans land" and KENNY HENDRY headed into the net, much to the delight of the colourfull and noisy away support.

Buckie's day of misery was complete when Bob Duncan was sent off for what was a "last man" challenge, although Small was clearly behind the full back.

SUMMARY --- Most people wrongly thought that the game was over as a contest, including the Buckie side which came out for the second half.  Rothes deserve all the credit for never giving up and for some exellent finishing.

For the Jags it is all over in the cups for another season, full concentration must now be on the remaining 8 league matches and everyone will need to produce their  best  form in these matches, including competing for the ninety plus minutes of every match, something which has been missing in the last two matches, both which have resulted in defeats.

This Jags side has the ability to win the title but must also show the hunger and desire to do so. 

Buckie's team was ... MAIN, NEILL, DUNCAN, MACKINNON, N DAVIDSON (MATHESON 78 ), SMALL, T LOW, MACRAE, BRUCE, MACMILLAN (A LOW 68), STEWART (MACDONALD 71). UNUSED SUBS.. STRONG and R DAVIDSON.