GOALS
Rothes: Defence got caught out with the 1st, but for me the 2nd one should've never stood. As the ball was played forward Michael Ord was standing a good bit offside but the farside linesman kept his flag down as Hamilton took his goal well.
Huntly:
Great play by Ritchie for the 1st to cross for Guildy. was going to credit Guildy with the goal but he said himself that he couldn't claim it - own goal.
Stainer again outdone Esson out wide followed by a great finish from Guildy.
And of course I was very relieved to see Craigie's header make it into the back of the net in stoppage time.

OPPOSITION: Esson & his defenders shouts for offside at every Huntly attack seemed to influence the officials on more than on occasions. Ord's a nippy wee player who will threaten given space around the box.

OFFICIALS: Lacked consistency & tended to go with the shouts of the home dugout/defence too many times in that game. not the best officiating I've seen in recent months from both ref & assistants!

TEAM ANALYSIS
Keeper: Some good stops against Ord.
Back Four: A bit unlucky at the two goals. I felt Alan Stephen stood out again and the fans have really taken to him. buy of the season??
Midfield: Farmer was impressive as ever and if Russell Guild can keep up that form he could be the best midfielder in the league this season.
Attack: Lacked service early on. Impressed with the attitude and play of Jerry O'Driscoll in 2nd half. Ritchie Stainer did well also with the two assists after replacing Green.

Grant 'Neep' Turner

Never before have I got carried away so much in both terms of the term. Certainly my most passionate performance yet (cue Grant to confirm), Huntly really deserved to go top of the League after this win. Making my way out to Rothes I was wondering if this was yet again going to be the same old story from Rothes – the negative offside tactics that are so bad sportly they’ve made them their own – but minutes into the game their Marshal Neil Esson, sporting a right arm bandage (wonder why) had that arm up and the “whey” in hope for offside came out – I can still hear it now {no wonder they never get a good crowd!]. Then they scored, terrible defending from our own point of view – but in terms of their tactics the kiss of death. The next 35 minutes or so were, scripted by Rothes, - offside, offside, offside. It was difficult to work out if Baxter or Esson was the referee. Then just before half-time Number 9 on the penalty spot, Huntly 4 man defence on the box line, and another Rothes player as offside you could drive a bus between him & the Huntly defence yet when the through ball came the nearside linesman failed to put his flag up and the goal was scored. I lost the plot and went running up to the linesman letting rip (unexpectedly fellow howler Alan G came running with me) it was a shocking decision [thank goodness it wasn’t a winner]. Into the second half and it was more of the same from the Rothes defence, then an own-goal went in which lifted Huntly, I reckon because the opposition couldn’t claim offside for a change. Colin Smith was throwing in the fouls yet no bookings seemed likely. Then I started joking with Mark Hamilton trying to find out if he really enjoyed playing with THAT defence, only for seconds later him to have his hand up Esson-esque claiming offside! Glancing towards the stand – at times I saw the likes of Andy Troup, and even board members showing their frustration at what was happening on-field. A brilliant equaliser, and we started believing mission impossible was going to happen. Then if it wasn’t hard enough working out whether Esson or the ref was the referee, the nearside linesman joined the equation when he gave Rothes a free-kick for shirt pulling when Baxter awarded a throw. With the linesman insistent to the Rothes player that it was a free-kick, I (for a second time) started shouting at the linesman only for then the referee to blow his whistle (thus changing his mind!) and awarded the free kick. I’ve never seen a linesman give a foul before. A booking occurred late in the game – no, not for Colin Smith, but for Andy Matheson for deserved dissent towards the linesman. Ninety minutes up & Huntly score a winner, again no question of offside – I couldn’t hide my delight. I was jumping up and down all over the Rothes grass embankment going mental and, once I noticed, it seems like the players were over celebrating as much as me. On the plus side – at least Rothes have got the problems of having to walk over the river sorted.
a.h’s man of the match: Richard Strainer (name read out by the Rothes announcer – that guy was awful!, Trouper v him – no contest)