Rothes 2 Forres Mechanics 1: Speysiders edge out Can-Cans to win Moray derby
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TWO fine first half strikes gave Rothes a 2-1 victory over a battling Forres Mechanics at Mackessack Park this afternoon.
Elgin City loanee Aidan Sopel's first strike in the tangerine of Rothes was added to by Ally Mackenzie's wonderful free-kick as Rothes led 2-0 at the break.
Forres battled back in the second half, but couldn't find a leveller after Connall Ewan halved the deficit.
Rothes manager Ross Jack said: "Three points was the plus point but the performance in the second half was very poor.
"Forres put us under a lot of pressure and we couldn't get out. Having scored early and got the second not so long after, I thought we'd go on and dominate but we didn't.
"We didn't create half as many chances as we have in the last few games, but anyway it was a win."
Rothes took the lead inside eight minutes when Aidan Sopel touched and finished well from 16 yards.
The Speysiders doubled their advantage 10 minutes from half-time when a stunning Ally Mackenzie free-kick from 25 yards flew into the bottom left-hand corner.
Forres' best chance of the opening period came when Martin Groat's powerful goal-bound effort was blocked away.
The visitors had the majority of play in the second half, and passed up a big chance five minutes after the break when Jack Grant hammered against the crossbar from eight yards.
Three minutes later and the game was right back in the balance when Connall Ewan scrambled home at the back post after Lee Fraser had nodded Craig Mackenzie's free-kick against the post.
But, despite having the territory, Forres struggled to create many chances – with Rothes goalkeeper Iain Mackenzie only tasked with gathering trundling efforts from Connall Ewan and Dale Wood in the last quarter.
Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald said: "I didn't think there was much in it but we lost a really soft goal for the first one.
"The rest of the half they have put men behind the ball and they are quite happy to play like that.
"The game was played to their strengths. They don't play much football, they are strong and they are good at it – and that's credit to them, that's not with any bitterness I say that.
"We were in the game at half-time, scored, and then had the look of a team that was going to get something from the game.
"But we didn't ask enough questions after scoring."
Both teams are at home on Wednesday night, Rothes welcome local rivals Strathspey Thistle, while Forres host Clachnacuddin.
