The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Assistant Skinner hails best yet from Black and Golds
HUNTLY ROTHES 3 0
Huntly recorded their first home win since December 2 with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Rothes.
The Black and Golds took the lead after three minutes when Gary McGowan curled a free kick into the top corner after Glenn Murison had been bundled over outside the box.
Huntly doubled their lead after 31 minutes when a Neale Davidson corner was sent into the front post for Cammy Booth to convert from close range.
Davidson produced another assist after the hour mark when a great delivery from a free kick found Ryan McRitchie at the back post to apply the finishing touch.
Assistant manager Martin Skinner felt it was the best display Huntly had produced since he joined the club two months ago. He said: “The players did exactly what we asked and exploited the opposition’s weaknesses.
“It’s the best we’ve been since I came to the club and we fully deserved the three points.
“We were due a home win for the fans.
“Gary McGowan is capable of some big goals for the club and showed it from the free kick, while Neale Davidson showed why he’s a danger from set pieces. It was a great delivery for the second, just waiting for someone to attack it and Ryan McRitchie got on the end to score.”
Skinner was full of praise defender McRitchie, who has impressed since signing on loan from Caley Thistle.
He added: “The back four looked solid and we didn’t look like conceding.
“Ryan is a proper central defender. He shows a bit of leadership for a young lad of 18 and he’s really steadied the ship for us. He’s going to be a really good player.”
It was a fourth consecutive away defeat for Rothes and manager Steven Macdonald was disappointed with the way his side started the game.
He said: “We gave away a stupid foul inside the first few minutes and Gary McGowan found the top corner from the free kick.
“We lost all three goals from set pieces. Huntly were the better team in the first half and I’ve no complaints – our attitude was terrible and we contributed to our own downfall.
“We could’ve jumped Huntly had we won that game but I didn’t see any fight or commitment to that which was extremely disappointing.”
Brora Rangers travel to Huntly on Saturday, while Rothes take on Wick Academy at Mackessack Park on Wednesday.