Deveronvale returned to the top of the Scot Ads Highland league after a convincing display against a plucky Rothes side at MacKessack Park. Vale took advantage of rivals Huntly and Clach having no league matches.
Flu victim Scott Anderson was rested. Mark Chisholm slotted in to the defence, with Robbie Brown taking Anderson's armband for the day. Strikers Murray, McKenzie and Barrie Stephen all scored with Murray's second strike definitely candidate for "Goal of The Season"

Rothes kicked off in near perfect conditions with the only the playing surface looking to spoil the afternoons entertainment. Vale were soon on the attack and Steve Dolan had the first shot of the day after Brown fed in the full back. The home sides first attempt came from Michael Ord, who tried a snapshot from the edge of the box, but Bremner easily deal with the strikers' effort.
Vale almost had the lead inside 10 minutes when good work by McKenzie, set up striking partner Murray, who had to head over the rapidly advancing Rothes keeper. Murray's header struck the junction of the cross bar. Gray tried to fire home the rebound, but his shot was wide off the mark.
Chisholm, in his centre defensive role did well, when Graeme Bain tried to break through the Vale rearguard and managed to clear safely.
Vale took the lead on the quarter hour when Ian MURRAY managed to get his head to a Barrie Stephen cross, the striker getting in ahead of the Rothes defence to knock the ball in the top corner.
Vales confidence was growing, and Stuart Gray pushed forward and tried to round keeper Strong. Gray went down, referee McDonald blew his whistle, but indicated that it was for a dive by the Vale number three, and not the penalty that the Valley Crew were screaming for.

Vale thought that the second had arrived after Barrie Stephen shot came through the mêlée of players for Brown to slam the ball in from 20 yards, however the stand side assistant had his flag up for offside.
Rothes suffered the same face minutes later with assistant Cruickshank flagging Ord as he closed in on goal. Ord was again in the thick of the action, as he set up McFail, with Chisholm coming to the rescue once again.
The stand side assistance was having a busy day as again the Rothes offside trap prevented McKenzie. Vale had a penalty claim on 31 minutes with Urquhart going down from a Bain challenge, but referee McDonald waved play on.

Minutes later Vale had their second. MURRAY controlled a long clearance from Bremner. With one touch, he looked up and coolly chipped keeper Strong from 35 yards with the Rothes number one back peddling to no avail.

Vale were completely in the ascendancy at this point and Chisholm struck the woodwork from a Barrie Stephen free kick

Rothes emerged for the second half looking to get back into the game, and forced an early corner that Vale took three attempts to clear after a Sim shot threatened the Vale goal.
A free kick from McFail went wide of Bremner's upright, as Rothes, who had clearly started the better of the two sides were pressurising the visitors. McFail again was the danger man in 50 minutes, but his shot failed to threaten.
Vale controversially increased their lead minutes later. Assistant Cruikshank had flagged McKenzie for offside, but the striker had turned back allowing Barrie STEPHEN to make his darting run into the box, Referee McDonald, ignored the assistants flag and the winger stroked home the third goal of the game.
The third goal seemed to sap the strength from Rothes, and some good interplay between Gray and McAllister opened up Barrie Stephen, who cut back to McKenzie, and the strikers shot curled wide.
Slack play by Gray allowed Sim in for the home side, but the offside flag prevented any further play.
Goal number four Vale came from the spot after Barrie Stephen was felled inside the box, McKENZIE duly despatched. Vale made their first substitution with Kidd replacing stand in skipped Brown on 70 minutes.

Ian Forbes found himself in the refs' book after he lost the ball to McAllister, and chopped down the winger on the edge of the box. The travelling support were up in arms after claims of "last man" as the card was yellow.
Murray was keen to get his hat trick, and his free kick had to be pushed round the post by Strong. Levi Stephen replaced Barrie Stephen on 77 minutes. Indecision from Dlugonski, allowed Hamilton to cross from the right, but Ord controlled the ball with his arm, and the ref's whistle had already blown before the ball hit the back of the net. Gray had to look smart with a tackle on substitute D'Arcy. Martin Bain smashed a shot that Bremner was equal to, as the home side went looking for a consolation.
Vale finished off the game in style with Levi Stephen's long ball finding McKenzie, his cross was fired home by McALLISTER. Gregg Carroll made his final substitution with Ian Campbell replacing Paul Urquhart.
Minutes later referee McDonald blew for full time and sent the travelling fans home happy as their team went top of the league

Gregg Carroll was justifiably happy with the performance, in what was comfortable win. He picked out Barrie Stephen, Brown and Urquhart for special praise. "I though their work rate today was excellent"."I did feel that we maybe over played the ball a bit to day, but winning 5-0 away from home is an excellent result, and I'm happy with the clean sheet". "All in all a solid performance and we kept our concentration throughout the match which is important"

Rothes
Strong, #Forbes, McFail,Esson (D'Arcy), Grant, G.Bain, Hamilton (Cree), M.Bain, Ord, #Cameron, Sim (Keith)
Subs not used: Smith, Miller

Vale:
Bremner, Dolan, Gray, Chisholm, Dlugonski, Urquhart (Campbell 88), B. Stephen (L.Stephen 77), #Brown ( Kidd 70), McKenzie,Murray, McAllister
Subs not used: Sharp, Anderson

Referee:: S.MacDonald