Ever-improving Rothes up for Huntly clash after seven-goal win over Speyside rivals Strathspey Thistle
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EVER-IMPROVING Rothes will be looking to make it four wins out of five when they welcome Huntly to Mackessack Park.
Weather permitting, the Speysiders, who have been challenged by manager Ross Jack to push for a top five finish, will be aiming to continue the good form that saw them thrash Strathspey Thistle 7-0 on Saturday.
An Aidan Wilson hat-trick was added to by a Gary Kerr double as well as goals from Fraser Robertson and Bruce Milne as Rothes hammered their Speyside rivals.
“We played very well,” manager Jack said. “If there was one wee grumble I had at half-time it’s that we weren’t more up and need to be more ruthless.
“But the attitude was great and we played some good football along the way. We could have punished them more, it’s not nice to say that, but we were so far on top and it was an opportunity to get the goals tally up.
“We scored four or five from crosses and I was delighted for Aidan and Gary for their goals and have been delighted with their form – although they'd both tell you they had chances to score more."
Jack is still hopeful of pushing further up the league.
MORE: Top five place 'not beyond' Rothes.
“We’ve got some important players back and that’s making a difference,” he said. “We are still nowhere near the team we were but we are getting there.
“We can still get fifth. It’s a huge ask, it’s a target I’ve set the boys and they’re up for the battle ahead.
"Hopefully they can push on because I've got confidence in them. We've played a couple of games more but we have points in the bag and are looking to get a lot more."
On Saturday's visit of Huntly, Jack added: "They had a great win at the weekend, and had a good win at Inverurie Locos recently so they're on a good run.
"They're a strong, physical team with big players so we'll be need to be on our mettle to get something.
"But I'm confident that we can win if we play how we can."
Matheus Machado and Sean McCarthy are back this weekend after missing the Strathspey match.
Shane Harkness (knee) and Kyle Whyte (groin) remain out, while Gregg Main is away. There is some concern over Gary Kerr, who came off with 20 minutes to play in Grantown.
