Deveronvale hit the goal trail against Strathspey as they hit seven goals without reply.
The home side could have won by a greater margin had they not passed up several other opportunities to add to their tally.
Strathspey had good spells of possession in the first half but it was Vale who showed the way to goal as Matt Jamieson scored with a lovely curling effort from the edge of the box after 12 minutes to break the deadlock.
Joe Cuthbert was inches away from equalising before Vale scored again after 24 minutes as Charlie Hay set Horace Ormsby free with the striker scoring from 18 yards although Oliver Kelly may have felt he should have done better with his effort to keep the ball out of the net.
Innes McKay turned provider for Jamieson to increase Vale’s lead to three just on half time and two minutes after the turnaround Dane Ballard grabbed his tenth of the season when he fired an effort low beyond Kelly for number four.
Today’s “Man of the Match” is double scorer Horace Ormsby who is presented with a “MOTM Medal” by Phil Stewart from @macduffshipyards… Congratulations 👏👏👏 🔴⚪️🔴 @ Deveronvale Football Club https://t.co/dTtZosXzIU
— Deveronvale Football Club (@DeveronvaleFC) November 26, 2022
Jamieson completed his hat trick six minutes later scoring another fine effort from the edge of the box before Ormsby grabbed his second from close range after a dreadful misunderstanding in the visitors’ defence.
Substitute Antonio Jam scored the goal of the game when after a fine run he found the top corner from 25 yards for his first Highland League goal.
Vale manager Craig Stewart was delighted to follow up their 3-2 win at Lossie with another victory.
He said “The target for the players was six points from the two games and it is a very good six points for us in an important part of the season.
“It’s now a case of how far up the table we can go. People are saying other teams are having a very good season and we are now drawing level with them when some of the so-called experts are saying we are having a poor season. Now we look forward to moving up the table.
“It was seven on the day and to be honest we could have had quite a few more as we were camped in their half in the second period.”
Thistle manager Charlie Brown said: “It was one of those days when nothing went right with Deveronvale capitalising on every chance they got and fair play to them as they were the better team.
“People in the dressing room were blaming each other for the goals we lost but collectively it is a squad thing.
“We made errors all over the park with decision making, passing and clearing the ball.
“To only have two substitutes due to late call offs is something we have to look at in the next couple of days as we have a big squad.
“It is not good enough for a Highland League team to turn up with 13 players so some have to take responsibility and look at their actions.”
Inverurie Locos 1-1 Rothes
Inverurie Locos manager Richard Hastings was disappointed after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Rothes at Harlaw Park.
He said: “It became a frustrating day, it all comes back to what happens in the boxes at either end.
“We lost a poor one off a set piece and couldn’t get the ball in their net more than once.
“We are creating chances but it’s all about taking them.
“You need to have calm heads, we certainly executed the one we did score well and were on the front foot.
“If you look at stepping stones we are certainly making progress, there is clear intent to win games but at least we are creating chances and we will certainly be up for our cup match at Turriff on Saturday.”
Inverurie 1-1 Rothes
A point each at Harlaw Park. Ryan McRitchie with our goal before getting sent off for two bookings. pic.twitter.com/CF2UhiwelT— Rothes FC (@RothesFC) November 26, 2022
Locos striker Garry Wood curved a shot narrowly past before Greg Morrison hit the top of the crossbar at the other end.
Morrison then headed narrowly over after Jamie Michie came inches from putting the Red and Blacks in front.
Rothes struck first in 52 minutes when Bruce Milne met a corner from the right with his head and although Andy Reid saved he was powerless as fellow defender Ryan McRitchie forced home the rebound.
The hosts levelled 11 minutes later when the visiting defence allowed captain Greg Mitchell space to fire high into the net from a Wood assist.
Sponsors Man of the Match yesterday was Locos No.16 Jamie Michie! 👏
Elaine Morison of Matchday sponsor Fugro presented Jamie with his award.
🚂 🔴⚽️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/O6UpfVjCVI
— InverurieLocoWorksFC (@InverurieLocos) November 27, 2022
A four-man move almost ended in Locos taking the lead but Robert Ward saw his strike come off the crossbar.
Rothes goalscorer McRitchie after 71 minutes for receiving two quick-fire yellow cards.
Locos almost took advantage of the extra man man but substitute Fergus Alberts headed onto the crossbar in the dying embers.
Rothes boss Ross Jack said: “I thought it was two points dropped by us as we played extremely well.
“Against the wind we controlled the game, hit the bar and deserved to win.
“It was not a sending off for me. The tackle was won fair and square, their player came in and challenged and that’s when it became silly.
“It’s my centre-half’s job to win the ball, we couldn’t understand why there were two yellows.
“The ref said one for the tackle the other for the reaction, I feel sorry for Ryan who had scored our goal.”
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