Scottish Cup: Seven of 18 Highland League clubs make it through to round two
Seven of the Highland League’s 18 sides have made it through to round two of the Scottish Cup - with 11 falling at the first hurdle.
Four of Moray’s five representatives are out - with only Keith making it through after a 2-1 win at Kynoch Park over North of Scotland Premiership champions Stonehaven.
Buckie Thistle suffered heartbreak after taking former Highland League foes Brechin City - now playing in Lowland League East - all the way before losing 4-2 on penalty kicks. The game itself had ended 2-2, with the Jags twice equalising.
Forres Mechanics suffered a particularly poor defeat at home to University of Stirling, who are rock bottom of Lowland League East with one league win all season, while Lossiemouth lost 2-1 on the road at Musselburgh Athletic, who are 12th in the same league.
In the first round’s only all-Highland League tie, Rothes were 1-0 down at half-time before being thrashed 9-0 at Mackessack Park by Brora Rangers, who also beat them 8-0 in the Highland League just two weeks ago.
Five of the remaining 12 Highland League sides won out - with one of the most impressive wins coming from Graeme Stewart’s Huntly. The man who took Buckie Thistle to Parkhead got his new club’s Scottish Cup adventure of to a brilliant start with a 3-0 win at Beith, who are 13th in Lowland League West.
Formartine United were also victorious away from home, winning 2-0 against Civil Service Strollers - eighth in Lowland League East.
Clachnacuddin also defeated Lowland League East opposition - sixth place Bonnyrigg Rose - 2-0 in Inverness.
Banks o’ Dee edged through to the next round after a marathon penalty shootout against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy of the West of Scotland Premiership. The Dee led before being pegged back to draw 1-1 - but won 9-8 on spot kicks.
The final Highland League winners were Strathspey Thistle, who squeezed past Dalbeattie Star, the side bottom of Lowland League West, 3-2 at home.
Turriff United put up a brave fight against Tranent Juniors, who are the undefeated leaders of Lowland League East, losing 3-1 after extra-time.
Invergordon and Inverurie Loco Works both threw away a two-goal leads to lose 3-2. Invergordon had led at West of Scotland First Division outfit Threave Rovers, while Locos were 2-0 up at Lochee United of Lowland League East with five minutes to go dramatically collapsing to lose.
Wick Academy were beaten 3-0 by Tayport of the Midlands Premier League, while Deveronvale, Fraserburgh and Nairn County were all knocked out by Lowland League West sides.
Caledonian Braves, sixth in that league, beat Fraserburgh 4-0, Troon (10th) beat Deveronvale 3-2 in Banff and Gretna 2008 (12th) beat Nairn County 1-0 in the Highlands.
Nine of the 16 sides from Lowland League East made it to round two, while 10 of the 16 eligible teams in Lowland League West qualified.
The second round draw will take place on Sunday at 5pm. Elgin City, who thumped Clyde 6-2 in league action this afternoon, will be in the draw. Ties will take place across the weekend of October 24.