After last week's success in Ayrshire, Hermes had to make dramatic changes to the back four for today's Domino Pizza North Region Cup first round tie. The game started in almost perfect conditions with the visitors setting the pace in the early minutes against a surprisingly sluggish home team.

The first chance came in the 9th minute when a miscued shot by Stevenson landed at Jack's feet and his powerful drive was well saved by McIntosh in the Dufftown goal. Hermes were now more in the game and were retaining possession well.

As the first half continued Hermes' domination increased and it was requiring some determined defending from the Speysiders to keep the city side at bay. Chances, which had been few in the early stages were now being created and first Jack cleverly made space in the Dufftown box but sliced his shot wide. This was followed by the best chance to date when, after a flowing move, Dufftown's Grant headed over with only Sweeney to beat. The big keeper again came to Hermes' rescue when he saved well after some bizarre home defending.

Hermes were well on top at this stage but the visitors were dangerous on the break and the half finished with a free kick on the edge of the home box but Watt wasted the chance.

Hermes 0 - Dufftown

The first half had been a dour affair with most of the play in midfield with few clear cut chances. Hermes slick football, which had been prevalent this season, had been disappointingly lacking so far and had often been replaced by speculative and badly directed 'long balls.'

Chances started to be created early in the second half when first Macklin shot wide and Jack shot across the face of the goal. Hermes' pressure was rewarded in the 57th minute when a Craig Macklin corner was headed powerfully into the net off the underside of the bar by the prolific LEE SMITH for his 17th goal of the season.

In rapid succession Michael Dawson and David Stevenson had chances but failed to finish well. Manager Dawson made changes at this point, replacing Murray and Jack with McRae and Thomson . Dufftown also made a change with Ogg replacing the hard working Pirie and the replacement almost made himself an instant hero but his speculative shot sailed over the bar. The game had opened up now and McRae came close but a deflection took his 20 yard shot narrowly by. Next it was Donald who brought out a good save from Sweeney as Dufftown continued to battle. Smith came close to making the game safe, in the last minute, but his header, from another Macklin corner, crashed back off the bar.

Hermes 1 - 0 Dufftown

This certainly was not one of the home sides best performances of the season but they did enough to maintain their 100% record. Dufftown worked hard and caused Hermes a number of problems but in the end it was a deserved result for the Superleague side.