The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Jack hails performance as Rothes battle to final
Rothes manager Ross Jack insists they won’t be there to make up the numbers against Buckie in the Highland League Cup final.
The Speysiders reached Saturday’s showpiece by coming from behind to beat Formartine United after extra- time at North Lodge Park and now stand just 90 minutes away from winning their first trophy in over 40 years.
The last silverware won by Rothes was the North of Scotland Cup in season 1978-79, while this is their first final since 2010.
Mackessack Park boss Jack said: “It’s a huge achievement and we know it means so much to the club. But we don’t want to ge t there and just be making up the numbers.
“But we’re in the final on merit and we can’t wait for the final.
“The players, chairman, committee and supporters have been outstanding, they were again last season and the boys did fantastic to finish third in the league.
“It would be a reward for everyone’s hard work if we could take home a bit of silverware next weekend.”
Daniel Park put Formartine in front but Ali Sutherland’s late strike forced extra-time.
Craig Cormack netted the winner two minutes into the additional period.
Jack added: “The main objective was to get through, irrespective of how we played; people don’ t remember semifinalists. But I thought we played extremely well to get there. It wasn’t just a case of scraping over the line, I felt we played some really good stuff.
“We had to battle away after going one down, but I’m delighted with the way we reacted and we scored two excellent goals to get over the line.” These sides faced each other in their last game before lockdown, which was a 2- 0 win for Rothes at Mackessack Park and it was the Moray outfit that started better.
United goalkeeper Kevin Main made good saves to keep out Sutherland and Gary Kerr shots from inside the area, with Fraser Robertson scooping the rebound narrowly over following Kerr’s effort.
At the other end Conor Gethins stabbed wide at the near post from Stuart Smith’s low cross.
Energy, endeavour and commitment were never in short supply with so much at stake, but chances were at a premium until For mar tine made the breakthrough in the 70th minute.
Garry Wood’s neat lay-off was perfect for Daniel Park to drill a low, right- foot shot into the bottom left corner from 20 yards.
Soon after Scott Lisle took too long to pull the trigger when clean through, and with five minutes left Rothes goalkeeper Sean McCarthy made a great save to claw away Jonny Crawford’s header from a Park free-kick.
A minute later its importance was magnified as the visitors equalised with Cormack teeing up Sutherland to guide a low shot beyond Main from 16 yards.
Both sides could have won it in a frantic finale with Sutherland twice testing Main and McCarthy denied Andrew Greig.
But Rothes would not be denied two minutes into extra-time when sub Ross Gunn slipped in Cormack, who coolly finished beyond Main from the right side of box.
Formartine struggled to carve out a clear chance to force penalties.
Manager Paul Lawson said: “I felt we controlled much of the second half and got ourselves in front with a great goal.
“We were playing well and on top in the game and then we lost a goal close to the end.
“It’s not losing the goal that’s disappointing, it’s the way we reacted to it. We didn’t get going after that and unless it had gone to penalties I think there was only going to be one winner.”
FORMARTINE UNITED – Main 7, Crawford 6, McKeown 6, Kelly 6, S Smith 6; Park 6, Rodger 6, S Anderson 6 (J Smith 63 5), Norris 6; Gethins 6 (Greig 63 5), Wood 6 (Lisle 75 5). Subs not used – Strachan, Lawrence, C Anderson, Ellis.
ROTHES – S McCarthy 7, Stark 7, Milne 8, Johnstone 7; Cormack 8, Pollock 7, Brown 7 (Gunn 79 6), Robertson 6, MacKenzie 6; Sutherland 7, Kerr 6 (Maley 79 6). Subs not used – Neil, Anderson, D McCarthy. Referee – Greg Soutar.
Man of the match – Bruce Milne.