Rothes manager Ross Jack delighted to see Speysiders pick up first Highland League win with 2-0 success at Nairn County
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Rothes' Highland League season has come to life after Wednesday's 2-0 win at Nairn County.
The Speysiders notched up their first point on Saturday with a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with banks O' Dee, a result manager Ross Jack called on his men to build upon.
They duly did that with a solid success over a Nairn side who had manager Steven Mackay sent off for his protests to referee Gordon Seago.
A first half goal by captain Michael Finnis and a late Alan Pollock counter took the Moray men to victory.
Manager Jack said: "I thought we played some good stuff apart from the first 10 minutes when both teams were very cagey. Once we got into the game I thought we played very well.
"(Nairn keeper) Dylan Maclean made some outstanding saves to make sure it was only 2-0. But we got two great goals at good times.
Rothes started the season with injuries, contributing to their defeats to Huntly and Brora in their opening two fixtures.
The casualty list is gradually easing while the addition of new signings Callum Haspell and Duncan Proudfoot brings more competition for places.
"We knew once we got our players back - as we had loads out in the first couple of weeks - that we can do well. We have a decent squad and the energy we showed was fantastic.
"We had to build on a good point against Banks O’Dee otherwise that would have been a waste of time."
This weekend Rothes play Wick Academy, who picked up their opening victory of the campaign with a 3-0 success over Clach.
"Wick had a great win against Clach who are no duff team. We have a few boys on the treatment table but they will be raring to go," Jack added.
"If we can steer clear of injuries we are aiming for the top half of the league and perhaps challenging for a few things."
Nairn manager Mackay's sending off was a result of an incident when Nairn felt Andrew Macleod was fouled in the penalty box on the hour mark, but the referee felt no foul had been committed.
Mackay voiced his frustration at the decision which at first earned him a yellow card before further remonstration saw him receive a red card.
Rothes took the lead after 28 minutes when Finnis was unchallenged at the back post to nod a corner into the net from close range.
Nairn had a great chance to level the match with 15 minutes remaining when Tyler Eadie only had the goalkeeper to beat, but he shot straight at goalkeeper Sean McCarthy.
But Rothes killed the game off five minutes from time when Gary Kerr pounced on a defensive mistake and crossed to find Pollock to fire home from close range.
Nairn have lost all three of their opening matches in the Highland League and head to Brechin City on Saturday.
Nairn: D.Maclean, Macleod (Gordon 80), C.Maclean (Carnihan 27), Tokely, Dingwall, Mackintosh (Dey 75), Kelly (Davidson 45), Gillies, Gethins, Nicolson (Eadie 45), Mckenzie.
Substitutes: Dey, Macdonald, Rennie, Munro.
Rothes: McCarthy, Haspell, McDade, Finnis, Milne, Robertson, Johnstone, Pollock, Kerr (Thomson 85), Morrison, MacKenzie.
Substitutes:Williamson, Cruickshank, Trialist, Shepherd, McConachie, Proudfoot, Trialist.
Referee: Gordon Seago.
