PICTURES: Jack Brown double earns Rothes victory over Elgin City to reach North of Scotland Cup semi-finals
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BEATING a strong Elgin City in the North Cup was perfect Rothes preparation for Saturday’s big Highland League match against leaders Buckie Thistle.
Ross Jack led his Speysiders to a 2-0 win over his former club on Wednesday night, booking a last four trip to Strathspey Thistle.
"The boys played extremely well and we are delighted to be in the semi-finals," said Jack. "It was a good performance from start to finish.
"We hadn’t started the last couple of games quickly enough in my opinion but we got out of the traps quite well last night and two early goals sealed it."
The win has Rothes fans dreaming of a second trophy triumph on the back of last year’s Highland League Cup final win over this weekend’s opponents Buckie.
But Jack quickly turned his focus from the derby success to the challenge of trying to stop a Jags side currently on the crest of a wave.
“It’s a huge game to come into after the exertions of Wednesday.
"Buckie are a team in form and burning up the league in terms of goals and clean sheets so they are doing extremely well,” he said.
“But it’s a game we are relishing. This is why the boys play football, to play against the better teams and go out and prove themselves.
“Buckie are getting goals from all over the park, and we know it’s a mammoth task. But we are at home and we will be ready, so it has all the makings of a right good Highland League game.”
Rothes’ star performer of the season so far is midfielder Jack Brown, who has scored in all five competitive matches so far with six goals to his name.
He netted both goals against Elgin inside the opening quarter, though Jack revealed he is playing with an injury which forced him to go off early.
“He’s come off in the last three games with a slight thigh knock or strain, so we are only getting an hour and a bit out of him.
"But he’s a hell of a player on one leg so I can’t wait to see him 100 per cent again.”
Brown, Ally MacKenzie and Michael Finnis all aggravated injuries for a Rothes side already missing Wayne MacKintosh, Aidan Wilson, Gary Kerr, Paul MacLeod and Sean Linden.
“We had a few bodies missing and there’s some walking wounded after the Elgin game but I know the determination to be a part of it and they don’t want to miss out,” Jack added.
“There’s a lot of work to be done by the physio ahead of Saturday.”
There will be little rest for Rothes after their second consecutive Moray derby, as they travel to face Inverurie Locos on Wednesday.
Looking ahead to the North Cup semis, Jack said: “Many of the boys enjoyed that cup final feeling last year and want to be part of it again.
"But I’ve got tons of respect for Charlie (Brown) and the job he’s doing at Strathspey so we know this is no easy job, that’s for sure.”
