Rothes quest for safe pair of hands ahead of Academymatch

Rothes manager Stephen MacDonald is faced with a goalkeeper crisis ahead of this afternoon’s match at Wick Academy.

The Mackessack Park club’s regular number one Sean McIntosh is unavailable and, without a backup goalkeeper in the squad, MacDonald is likely to be forced to field a trialist this afternoon.

He said: “Sean is unavailable through work, so I have been searching for a goalkeeper. On the positive side, we have signed midfielder Scott Maclean from Clach on a 12-month deal and defender Cameron Lisle from Brora Rangers on loan until the end of the season. They will both go straight into the squad.

“This is a dress rehearsal for our North Cup tie against Wick Academy at Mackessack Park on April 19, so we are looking forward to it.”

The Wick squad is also stretched for the Harmsworth Park encounter, with midfielder Sam Mackay still suspended, teenager Brandon Sinclair on holiday and forward trio Davie Allan, Gary Weir and Ross MacIver as well as reserve goalkeeper Danny McCarthy all out.

The destination of the Highland League title is now out of their hands but Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart is not ready to concede defeat yet.

Last week’s unexpected 1- 0 defeat at Huntly means Cove Rangers are in the driving seat while the Jags, who host Keith today, need other clubs to do them a favour.

Stewart said: “We just need to keep winning. We spoke to the players this week and I still believe there will be twists and turns in the next few weeks.”

Maroons manager Allan Hale said: “We have a host of players out injured. Eight of them will miss the trip to Buckieandouron loan goalkeeper Ross Salmon is ineligible to play against his parent club but CourtneyCooper has returned from offshore and new Ross Anderson will also come into the squad.”

ForresMechanics will be without first-choice goalkeeper Stuart Knight for the Mosset Park derby against much-improved Lossiemouth. He is working in Sweden so youngster Euan Storrier is set to start.

Nairn County andHuntly both report full-strength squads ahead of their meeting at Station Park.