Two penalties helped Deveronside to a convincing win over Dufftown at Westburn Park in the opening match of the season.

Dufftown manager Paul Lamberton made five changes to the side that was defeated by RAF Lossiemouth a week ago.  Out went Davie Ness, Gordon Stepien, Blair McDonald, Andrew Ross and Kris Geddes to be replaced by Scott Riddoch, Mark McManus, Gary Simpson, Lee McGregor and Rab Coll.

Deveronside started in the ascendancy and almost took the lead as early as the third minute.  Striker John Harrold did well down the Dufftown right before unleashing a tremendous left footed effort which flew just over the junction of Dufftown 'keeper Scott Riddoch's bar and crossbar.

Deveronside took the lead after 12 minutes.  There seemed little danger as Deveronside forward Adam Innes advanced on the Dufftown penalty area but home defender Gary Lamberton inexplicably tripped the striker inside the penalty area leaving referee Craig Sim with no option but to point to the penalty spot. Up stepped Ross Thompson to send 'keeper Riddoch the wrong way and give his side the ideal start.

Dufftown almost grabbed the equaliser just a minute later.  A superbly worked free-kick, straight from the training ground, saw Paul Lamberton slip the ball beyond the Deveronside defensive wall to the feet of Alan Shearer, the midfielder drove into the penalty area before squaring a delightful ball across the 6 yard box that was begging to be stroked into the net but alas there was to be no Dufftown player in the right place and the ball rolled behind for a goal kick.

Deveronside should have doubled their advantage after 23 minutes.  A corner kick was swung in from the left by Ross Thompson where it eventually found its way to Ernie Milne in space inside the Dufftown penalty area but Milne's effort lacked composure as he wildly blazed it over the bar.

Dufftown almost conjured up an equaliser just a minute from half time and again it was to be from a set-piece situation.  This time it was Stuart Lamberton swinging over an excellent corner kick which was met by the head of his brother Gary Lamberton, his diving header flashing just over visiting 'keeper Jamie Clow's crossbar.

The equaliser was to be delayed just a minute however and again it was the Lamberton brothers who combined well.  This time Gary Lamberton swung over a high cross into the Deveronside penalty area and with the visiting defence failing to deal with it the ball broke to Stuart Lamberton some 12 yards out and the Dufftown skipper spun before expertly striking the ball into 'keeper Clow's bottom left hand corner.

Into the second half and Deveronside were to gain the upper hand and ensure that Dufftown rarely threatened the Deveronside goal.

With just five minutes of the second half gone Deveronside almost regained the lead.  Striker Adam Innes showed great acceleration to get away from the Dufftown defence before rounding 'keeper Riddoch and shooting for goal.  Innes reckoned without the determination of Paul Lamberton however, the Dufftown player-manager doing exceptionally well to hook the ball off of the line and away to safety.

A Ross Thompson corner was met by the head of Deveronside's Wayne Murdo after 64 minutes but his looping header was cleared off of the Dufftown goal-line by Alan Shearer as the home side rode their luck once again.

It seemed inevitable that Deveronside would score and the goal arrived after 66 minutes.  A long ball was played over from the Deveronside left by the impressive Ross Thompson straight to the feet of Scott Davidson who found himself in space inside the Dufftown penalty are and he volleyed the ball back across Dufftown 'keeper Riddoch and into the bottom right hand corner of the net to give the visitors a deserved lead.

The match was to be played almost exclusively in the Dufftown half for most of the second half with the Dufftown players failing to keep possession and therefore struggling to create any clear cut chances.

Deveronside were to wrap up the three points in the first minute of second half stoppage time.  Once again it was to be a penalty kick that the goal came from, Dufftown's Lee McGregor being the guilty party in referee Sim's eyes for a foul inside the penalty area.  Once again up stepped Ross Thompson to send 'keeper Riddoch the wrong way and seal a comfortable victory for Deveronside.