Injuries mount up for Rothes with manager Ross Jack limited for player selection for Saturday's Highland League derby against Forres Mechanics
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ROTHES manager Ross Jack is facing a player availability crisis for Saturday’s derby clash with Forres Mechanics.
The Speysiders had just three outfield subs available for Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Turriff but picked up some fresh injuries and a suspension on their way to the three points.
First half goals by Ryan McRitchie, Ally MacKenzie and Craig Cormack overturned an early Turriff lead given to them by a twice-taken Rory Brown penalty kick.
But all three Rothes scorers could miss the home clash with Forres on top of other injury concerns.
MacKenzie sustained a back injury, Cormack strained his hamstring and McRitchie was sent off for retaliation and is now banned for this weekend's clash.
“Right now I don’t know what we are going to do for Saturday’s game,” said Jack after the midweek win. “Our backs are against the wall with Ryan’s red card.
“We had three outfield on the bench, that is all we have at the moment. It is very tough and the number of games being played and the state of the pitches is taking its toll.
“It speaks volumes that the boys are showing their resolve - that has been amazing. They are digging so deep for the cause.
“There’s games where the boys are looking jaded which is to be expected but on the other side of the coin they are battling to the end. At Turriff, two minutes from the end of the game with just ten men they were still attacking and looking for more goals.”
Jack felt frustrated for goalkeeper Sean McCarthy when he saved Brown's early spot kick at The Haughs and also pulled off a stunning stop with the rebound - only to be penalised for coming off his line and a retake awarded, which Turriff scored.
"I thought it was a fantastic save from Sean, not only that but the follow up was spectacular," he said. "It was an amazing save.
"Sean insists that he was not off his line and from where we were standing we couldn’t believe the decision.
"It was a dubious penalty in the first place in my opinion, Ryan McRitchie put his foot forward to make a block and the boy went down too easily. It was harsh.
"But the boys were galvanised from that and we certainly recovered well.
"It was an excellent response. The boys knew it was a sloppy start but then they started creating chance after chance and we took three of them and it could have been more by half time.
Recent signing Ewan McLauchlan also went off with a groin strain, a similar injury to that being carried by Alan Pollock, who also scored along with Ross Gunn in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Clach.
Fraser Robertson, Wayne Mackintosh and Gary Kerr are also out injured though Kerr has resumed light training and could be used in the squad.
After Saturday's Forres match, the Speysiders return to derby action next Wednesday when they travel to face the form team of the moment - Buckie Thistle.
"Forres will be fresher than us having not played so they will be able to recover and regenerate," Jack said.
"We will send out a team and we will be ready and we will battle, but it won’t be the strongest 11 and it will be a real challenge."
Assessing the remainder of his club's campaign, Jack added: "There are still 27 points to play for and we have a massive say in what happens in the title race.
"We will just do what we need to do for our chances of getting near the top.
"The top two are absolutely flying and Buckie are just on an amazing run and that is some win for them against Brora."
Ross Jack
We didn’t start well at all but we got there.
I thought it was a fantastic save from Sean, not only that but the follow up was spectacular. It was an amazing save. Sean insists that he was not off his line and from where we were standing we couldn’t believe the decision. It was a dubious penalty in the first place in my opinion, Ryan McRitchie put his foot forward to make a block and the boy went down too easily. It was harsh.
But the boys were galvanised from that and we certainly recovered well.
It was an excellent response. The boys knew it was a sloppy start but then they started creating chance after chance and we took three of them and it could have been more by half time.
We were severely handicapped with injuries.
Ally MacKenzie got a back injury, Craig Cormack strained a hamstring, Ewan Maclauchlan groin injury. Alan Pollock managed to soldier on, he has been incredible in the last two games with a sore groin. We lost Fraser Robertson before the game.
Right now I don’t know what we are going to do for Saturday's game. Our backs are against the wall with Ryan’s red card as well. I am not defending him for his actions but he was severely provoked in the first place and retaliated, which I can’t condone.
We had three outfield on the bench, that is all we have at the moment. It is very tough.
The number of games being played and the state of the pitches is taking its toll.
It speaks volumes that the boys are showing their resolve that has been amazing. They are digging so deep for the cause. There’s games where the boys are looking jaded which is to be expected but on the other side of the coin they are battling to the end. Two minutes from the end of the game with just ten men they were still attacking and looking for more goals.
Wayne is out for the season and Gary Kerr did a little bit on Monday so he may be available for Saturday as an emergency on the bench but I don't want to rush him back.
In an emergency, Gary might have to be on the bench but we will see. We will need a couple of youth guys to help us out.
Forres will be fresher than us having not played so they will be able to regenerate.
We will send out a team and we will be ready and we will battle, but it won’t be the strongest 11 and it will be a real challenge.
There are still 27 points to play for and we have a massive say in what happens in the title race. We will just do what we need to do for our chances of getting near the top.
The top two are absolutely flying and Buckie are just on an amazing run and that is some win for them against Brora.
