Tonight’s game at Grant Park was played in monsoon conditions, but the teams managed to serve up a little football in weather fit for ducks and duck all else. Lossie ran out 2-1 winners, with both goals coming from Craig Morrison, who also found time to miss a penalty. Rothes scored late on with a penalty, but had two men sent off as they resorted to a more physical attitude as the game drew to a close. 

The games first real chance came when Craig Morrison swung an excellent high ball to the far post, deceiving the Rothes defence until it reached Lee Moir racing in at the back post. His header back across the face of goal had the keeper beaten, but the ball drifted wide of the upright.

Rothes had their first strikes on goal on the quarter hour mark, as they managed to hit the post from 25 yards, before slamming the ball back at Dunn. The ball again hit the post, but flew wide and to safety.

The ball was spending a lot of time in the air, as any attempt to play it the ground saw it skid all over the place, usually faster than the now soaked players could run after it. There was little to separate the sides, as Lossie again looked nervous on the ball but competent off it, while Rothes were struggling to find a way through the home sides defence.

McMullan had the best chance of the half for Lossie on the half hour. His run across the edge of the box allowed him space to shoot, but the ball sailed just wide into the darkness. Shortly after, the Rothes 11 chased after the ball into the box and, with Dunn diving at his feet, flung himself to the deck. Whether looking for a penalty or not, the referee wasn’t feeling that generous just yet, and a goal kick was given.

Half time – Lossiemouth 0 Rothes 0

Despite the hopes of all concerned, the rain poured on as the second half kicked off. Rothes started the better side in the opening ten minutes, but failed to make their possession count. Lossie sent on David Hendry for Adams to shore up things at the back, and the change had the desired effect. Lossie started to make use of Lee Moir down the wing, and he began to terrorise the Rothes defence.

Moir had a big hand in the first goal. Given the ball on the half way line by McMullan, the following run took him to the edge of the box where he squared to a wide-open Craig MORRISON, who rolled the ball in for the opener. It was reminiscent of the Coasters second at Mackessack Park earlier this season; fast, fluid football, which had Rothes all over the place.

Lossie were handed a numerical advantage minutes later when the MacRae was given his marching orders for a last man foul on Lee Moir. The youngster was clean through with only Strong to beat, but was hauled down on the edge of the box, leaving the referee no option but to flash a red card.

The home side extended their lead shortly after, when amid some shoddy defending, MORRISON grabbed his second, slotting the ball home at the near post after a cool pass from Jordan Main. Lossie were tearing Rothes a new one at this point, and Strong kept the visitors in the game by palming away a blistering McMullan shot for a corner. From the resulting set piece however, Rothes conspired to concede a penalty, and Morrison stepped up to attempt to complete his hat trick. Strong was equal to the challenge, however, and saved well to his right.

Rothes were running out of steam, but their number 11 found time to ask questions of Dunn, firing a shot to his far post which the keeper did well to get down to.

A soft penalty awarded to Rothes after a Dixon challenge on Mike Smith allowed the visitors a lifeline, and Chris Henderson stepped up to pull them back into the game. Smiths next venture into the box was less than successful, as his attempt at conning the referee into awarding a second penalty saw him rightly booked for diving.

Another win for Lossie, and a win next midweek against Elgin City will see them into the semi finals of the North of Scotland Cup, a trophy they consider their own after many recent successes. A stronger performance will be needed when they face Rothes again on the 17th of September for a place in the Scottish Cup, but games against Fort William this weekend, Elgin and Nairn next Saturday will keep the players busy until then.

Full time – Lossiemouth 2 Rothes 1