Rothes expect stiffer test from resurgent Locos

Rothes manager Steven MacDonald knows this week’s tricky trip to Inverurie Locos will prove to be a much tougher test than the Speysiders’ last two games.

Last Saturday free-scoring Rothes thumped Fort William 9-1 at Mackessack Park – a week after they ran out 5-0 winners at Strathspey Thistle.

Rothes came out on top when the sides met in August but MacDonald knows Locos have gone from strength to strength during the course of the season.

Neil Cooper’s side moved joint top of the Highland League at the weekend after extending its unbeaten sequence to 10 matches with a 3-0 win at Keith.

MacDonald said: “It is incredible when you think that in recent times Locos have been a mid-table side. They stuttered a bit at the start of the season and we beat them 2-0 at Mackessack Park. Having said that, the game was one of the biggest robberies I’ve seen. Locos were excellent that day but everything that could have gone right for us did and everything that could have gone wrong for Locos did as well.”

MacDonald, meanwhile, reckons the achievements of Rothes-based boxer Megan Gordon helped inspire his side’s superb second-half showing against Fort William.

The 17-year-old was a special half-time guest at Saturday’s match.

He said: “Megan has just returned from the Commonwealth junior games in the Bahamas with a bronze medal, which is an amazing achievement.

“We were up 3-1 at halftime but in the second half we scored six goals without reply.

“We might have to invite her to every game now and make her our mascot.”

Megan Gordon: Lucky mascot for Rothes