Rothes manager Ross Jack is delighted that Speysiders supporters will get their cup final day out in the North Cup next month, unlike last year's League Cup triumph at an empty Christie Park
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ROTHES are in the North of Scotland Cup final and manager Ross Jack is thrilled that the club’s supporters will get the day out that Covid robbed them of last year.
A 4-1 win at Strathspey Thistle on Wednesday earned the Speysiders their second final in less than a year, having won the League Cup against Buckie last November at an empty Christie Park in Huntly.
Rothes will play either Brora Rangers or Lossiemouth in their bid for a second trophy triumph on the weekend of October 2-3.
“It’s nice for the club and it will be great to have the supporters at a final this time,” Jack said.
“For us to go and win the League Cup without any crowd, it wasn’t the same so hopefully we can get a good turnout and put on a strong performance for them all.
“There was a great loyal support in Grantown, very loud and vocal and it was great backing for the team. A big thank you to them, because they played their part in getting to the final.”
Goals by Michael Finnis, Craig Cormack, Alan Pollock (pen) and Kane Davies swept Jags aside.
Jack was particularly pleased for Aviemore 18-year-old Davies getting his first senior goal in only his second sub appearance.
“I saw him develop when he was at Caley Thistle and invited him in for training, he earned him self a contract and did extremely well.
“He’s had to bide his time but he’s kept progressing and got his first taste against Huntly (2-0 league win on Saturday with Pollock and Greg Morrison scoring).
"He came on to link up with Shane Harkness at Strathspey for his goal, a very composed finish. I’m delighted for him.
"Performances like that have moved him right up the pecking order."
Davies only got his chance after on-form striker Morrison sustained ankle ligament damage at Huntly, and will be out long term.
"It's a huge blow," Jack added. "Greg’s been in great form and was just about to come off on Saturday for a well-earned rest and a tackle put him out for what looks like being a number of weeks.
"He’s damaged his ankle, fortunately the x-ray didn’t reveal a break but there’s damage to the ligaments in his left ankle so he’s out for a while."
Top scorer Jack Brown has also missed the last two games and Jack explained: "He was playing through an injury that turned out to be a thigh strain and he had to stop or it could have been several weeks out if he played on and made it worse.
"He’s been told to rest and get treatment and hopefully he will be back in a couple of weeks."
Paul MacLeod was recalled from a loan spell at Nairn St Ninain to play as a sub against Strathspey Thistle.
Wayne Mackintosh is out with a knee problem but Aidan Wilson, who had been self-isolating, is expected to return to the squad for Saturday's league match at home to Wick Academy.
"All these injuries have taken their toll a bit with the number of games we've had, but it’s that bit easier to go again when you’re winning and that’s what we’re seeing here in this squad.
"We just seem to keep driving each other on.
"From reports we are getting, Wick have been far better than their results suggest and they have some quality players.
"So this will be another tough game for us and we will have to dig deep yet again."
