Rothes 2 Huntly 1: Friendly run out pleases Speysiders manager Ross Jack
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ROTHES manager Ross Jack was pleased to get a competitive run out against Highland League rivals Huntly at the weekend.
The Speysiders started pre-season early and had a training camp in Aviemore, where they beat Spey Valley 9-0.
Their first match after returning from that camp was against Huntly at The Gleaner Arena in Elgin on Saturday, where they ran out 2-1 winners.
A goal in the first 90 seconds from trialist Steven Mackay, who is training with Rothes after leaving his role as Elgin City assistant manager, gave the Speysiders the lead before Kyle Dalling’s own goal made it 2-0 on 15 minutes.
Reece McKeown’s 20-yard strike on 72 minutes saw the game end 2-1.
Ross Jack said: “It got very competitive. We controlled it for long spells and should have scored a couple more but it was a great workout.
“We were both supposed to be playing junior sides but they couldn’t play until July 1 so we were delighted Allan Hale agreed to take the game on. It’s early days in pre-season, we don’t want the players peaking in the first few weeks, but it augers well.
“It’s a great wee venue as well. The pitch is slightly tighter but at this time of year that’s not too bad.”
Rothes had nine players out for a mixture of reasons – with some on holiday, and Covid-19 and Chickenpox on the go.
Wayne Mackintosh and Garry Kerr are waiting for operations, while Bruce Milne might need one.
Rothes’ pre-season continues against Dufftown on Saturday, before a match with Elgin City on Tuesday.
