Buckie Thistle defeated Formartine United 3-1 to reach the semi-final of the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup.
Three goals in the space of 15 first half minutes did the damage for the Jags in this quarter-final tie at North Lodge Park.
Josh Peters netted the first and third as well setting up the second for Scott Adams. Graeme Rodger pulled one back for United just before half-time, but their efforts to come back in the second half were hampered by a red card for Ryan Spink.
The draw for the last four of the Highland League Cup is set to take place in January with the fixtures scheduled to be played in March.
The sides had met twice before this season with the Pitmedden side winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup, while Buckie prevailed 2-1 in the Breedon Highland League a month ago.
Like those fixtures this encounter was keenly contested from the off.
Peters makes breakthrough
The early exchanges were mainly in Buckie’s half with Formartine starting the contest well.
Julian Wade from Rodger looked particularly threatening, but the only time Jags goalkeeper Lee Herbert was worked was from Mark Gallagher’s 25-yard free-kick, but it was a routine save.
In the 20th minute Aaron Norris found some space on the right flank and delivered a cross which Wade glanced wide.
But seconds later it was the visitors who found the net. Tom MacLennan’s ball into the box was sliced by Johnny Crawford attempting to clear and Peters nipped in to round goalkeeper Ewen Macdonald and net.
It took only three minutes for Buckie to add to their lead with Peters the creator on this occasion.
The striker beat Kieran Adams to the ball on the right wing and after jinking into space Peters delivered the perfect cutback for Adams to rifle into the left corner.
It was Thistle who were now doing most of the attacking and Sam Pugh headed over from Andrew MacAskill’s corner on 27 minutes.
Peters then tugged a shot wide from the right side of the area, but in the 35th minute he notched his second and Buckie’s third.
Scott Adams played a 60-yard diagonal from left to right and Peters raced in behind Matthew McLean sending a superb lob beyond keeper Macdonald who was caught off his line.
Formartine to their credit improved as the interval approached. Mark Gallagher tested Herbert with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Then in the 43rd minute United did find the net. McLean’s long throw-in was glanced on by Kieran Adams and Rodger was on hand at the back post to head home.
Hosts lose a man
At the start of the second period the next goal was always likely to be crucial and Formartine’s hopes of getting it were dealt a blow when Spink was sent off.
He went into a challenge with Joe McCabe and referee Joel Kennedy was quick to brandish the red card.
In the 64th minute Peters came close to completing his hat-trick. He combined with MacAskill and McCabe on the right before weaving inside, but Macdonald saved at his near post.
Formartine manager Stuart Anderson introduced Jonny Smith and Cole Anderson from the bench in a bid to mount a comeback.
To their credit the Pitmedden side continued to battle well and when they got into the final third McLean’s long throw continued to be a threat.
But the goal United were looking for to set up a grandstand finish continued to elude them.
In thee 81st minute it almost became 4-1 with Macdonald making a fingertip save to turn away Jack Murray’s header from a MacAskill free-kick.
But despite the best efforts of both sides in the dying embers it finished 3-1.
