Formartine United edged out Huntly 2-1 at Christie Park to setup an Aberdeenshire Cup semi-final meeting with Aberdeen.

Neale Davidson, Craig Reid, Glenn Murison, Ross Still and Euan Storrier were all out injured as Huntly gave debuts to new loan signings Nathan Meres and Ashley Ballam while John Farquhar returned in goal with two goalkeepers out. Formartine had Jonathan Crawford suspended while Michael Clark returned to Christie for the first time since his transfer in the summer.

With only three minutes gone, Huntly were given a chance to go ahead when Referee Liam Duncan penalised Stuart Anderson for a foul on David Booth inside the box. Booth fired low only for goalkeeper Errol Watson to smother low from the penalty kick.

Three minutes later, the woodwork denied United when Jordan Leyden struck the post from a free kick. Goalkeeping Coach John Farquhar was keeping Huntly in the game with a string of good stops denying Garry Wood in the space of a few minutes.

With 35 minutes gone, quick break upfield saw Scott Lisle get into the box and fire in off the bar to break the deadlock.

Three second into first half stoppage time, Graeme Rodger got forward on the counter attack and when his cross was not cleared, Jordan Leyden powered in a shot to double the lead.

Half-Time: Huntly 0 Formartine United 2

In the 62nd minute, United keeper Errol Watson was penalised for catching Huntly debutant Nathan Meres in the face with a punch. Kai Ross stepped up to take the home side’s second penalty of the night to reduce the deficit.

Ross came close to equalising with four minutes remaining when he was denied by a point-blank stop from Watson.

Huntly (4-2-3-1)	Formartine United (4-3-3)
1 John Farquhar 4 Christopher Herd (Esslemont 74:56) 17 Ashley Ballam 5 Logan Johnstone 23 Craig Dorrat (Ross 39:55) 2 Alexander Jack 14 Liam MacDonald 19 Alexander Thoirs (captain) 10 David Booth 11 Nathan Meres 15 Matthew McDonald (Matthew 63:01)	1 Errol Watson 2 Wayne MacKintosh 5 Michael Clark 4 Stuart Anderson (captain) 3 Stuart Smith 7 Graeme Rodger 10 Liam Strachan 6 Kieran Lawrence (Whyte 88:07) 8 Scott Lisle 9 Garry Wood 11 Jordan Leyden (Greig 69:52)
Substitutes 8 Kai Ross (Dorrat 39:55) 9 Nicholas Gray 12 Reece McKeown 13 Keith Robertshaw 16 Paul Esslemont (Herd 74:56) 18 Bradley Manson 20 Cai Matthew (McDonald 63:01)	Substitutes 12 Murray Esson 14 Gregor Whyte (Lawrence 88:07) 15 Cole Anderson 16 Paul Lawson 17 Andrew Greig (Leyden 69:52) 21 Kevin Main
Management Team Martin Skinner (Manager, pictured) Richard Cheyne (Assistant Manager) Rachel Dexter (Physio) William Beaton (Kitman)	Management Team Russell Anderson (Coach, pictured) Paul Swanston (Goalkeeping Coach) Eric Whyte (Assistant Coach) Duncan Allen (First Aider)
Referee: Liam Duncan Assistant Referee 1: Dave McLaren Assistant Referee 2: Duncan Anderson

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