Home   Sport   Article

ROTHES fans are all set to return to MacKessack Park and acclaim the new Highland League Cup winners this weekend.


By Craig Christie

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

The Speysiders are hopeful that 200 supporters can be admitted to Saturday’s home match against Huntly if approval is given by the league in line with Covid-19 protocol.

Ross Jack with the Highland League Cup. Photo: Daniel Forsyth
Ross Jack with the Highland League Cup. Photo: Daniel Forsyth

It will be the start of the Highland League campaign for the Moray outfit, who will still have that taste of success following their cup final triumph over Buckie Thistle at the end of last month.

Manager Ross Jack hopes there will be fans back at MacKessack to see his players open their league programme.

“We are very hopeful of getting up to 200 fans at the game,” he said.

“It will be a fantastic opportunity for people to come back and support the boys again. The players have missed them, just as I’m sure the fans have missed seeing their team play.

“If it’s all done properly, which I’m sure it will be, it’s all been regulated and scrutinised to get a crowd of 200 in which would be absolutely fantastic.

Hopefully we will give them plenty to cheer and if we get the same loyal support as Jim (assistant manager Walker) and myself have had in our time at the club, it will be outstanding . We are looking forward to it.”

Rothes returned to competitive action on October 17 to play least season’s League Cup semi-final, winning in extra time at Formartine.

Alan Pollock is a doubt for Saturday's game against Huntly.
Alan Pollock is a doubt for Saturday's game against Huntly.

Two weeks later, the ten-man Speysiders scored a last minute winner against Buckie to lift the trophy.

Jack’s squad was depleted for both matches and again this weekend they will be missing several key players.

Striker Steven Anderson is still suspended and Aiden Wilson is out injured, while Alan Pollock and Ally MacKenzie have picked up fresh injuries and are struggling to make Saturday.

New signing Sean KLinden is another doubt and although centre back Ryan McRitchie featured in recent friendlies, he may not be fully fit to start against Huntly.

“Whoever comes into our team has proved they are capable of putting on a good show and the standard has been set now,” Jack said.

“They’ve set a hell of a precedent now to go and do well because I won’t let that standard drop. The bar has been set in those two cup games and we must maintain those standards.

“It hasn’t been easy for us in the games we’ve played. It would be nice to have a full squad available but every time we get over one hurdle, we encounter more.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More