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Rothes 0 Inverurie Locos 5: Speysiders smashed by lethal Locos


By Ewan Malcolm

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AN injury-hit Rothes fell to a heavy 5-0 defeat to Inverurie Locos at Mackessack Park this afternoon.

The Speysiders, who were without a clutch of first team players including Alan Pollock, Fraser Robertson and Greg Morrison, were blitzed early on after starting the brighter of the two sides.

The home side's miserable afternoon was set in motion when Garry Wood ghosted in unchallenged to head in Callum Dingwall's corner just seven minutes in.

Just five minutes later, the visitors' lead was doubled when some slack Rothes defending allowed Locos wide man Robert Ward to cut inside before rifling an effort into the top corner.

It got worse for the shell-shocked hosts just three minutes later when some calamitous defending saw Lloyd Robertson break in behind the Rothes defence before squaring to Matthew Peterman who tucked his effort beyond a helpless Sean McCarthy in the Rothes goal.

The beleaguered hosts were almost handed a lifeline just before half time when skipper Bruce Milne directed an effort towards goal from just a few yards out. However, the effort hit off the top of the crossbar to the Speysiders' dismay.

Ross Jack's side showed signs of restoring some pride at the start of the second half when a ball into the box found Steven Mackay unmarked six yards from goal. However, the veteran striker could only nod a tame effort safely into the hands of Locos keeper Andy Reid.

Feint hopes of a Rothes comeback were ended moments later, however, when a long ball over the top forced McCarthy to handle outside his area forcing referee Darren Munro to send him off.

Locos, knowing that the game was won, went in search of more goals and got a fourth through Dingwall who had the simple task of side footing home after the Rothes defence was caught napping at a throw in.

Garry Wood should have added a fifth moments later via the penalty spot when Ward was adjudged to have been brought down by Ryan McRitchie in the box. However, the Locos target man blasted his effort off the bar.

Logan Johnston ensured that the visitors did get their fifth moments from full time when he powered a fine header beyond substitute keeper Ian Mackenzie.

Rothes manager Ross Jack conceded that his side weren't good enough despite having to contend with a number of injuries.

"You can see with the squad today that we had a lot missing," he said.

"Having said that I thought we weren't strong enough.

"I though that we came out of the blocks really well. Passed it well before the first goal.

"They were warned about it, didn't take any heed. They were warned about Ward cutting inside, again, didn't take any heed and from then on it just got from bad to worse.

"We've got loads out. Greg up top. Gary Kerr is missing, Mackintosh is missing but they were better on the day after they got ahead.

"It doesn't help when your goalkeeper gets sent off and unfortunately there wasn't any positives to come out of today.

"They were strong. We were weak and we needed to stand up and be counted.

"We're still trying to bring the right players in but there is no point just trying to get the numbers up. They need to fit in with our ethos.

"We're just going to have to make do with what we've got at the moment because it's too early to tell how these guys are going to be out for.

"We can't dwell on this though. We'll learn from it. It's a harsh lesson but we need to improve."

Rothes will travel to Christie Park to take on Huntly who have lost all three of their opening games next weekend.


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