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Locos recorded another impressive victory with a fine performance at Mackesack Park. The Railwaymen had scored 11 goals in their previous 2 games but were up against a Rothes team who themselves netted 8 in midweek.
After a positive start, Myles Gaffney put Locos ahead in the thirteenth minute. Jay Halliday’s pass found Nathan Meres on the edge of the box and he teed up Gaffney to drive home from the dge of the box. Locos continued to have the better of the play but were unable to test Sean McCarthy further as the hosts gradually got into the game. Duncan Proudfoot put an effort narrowly off target before Zack Ellis saved Jake Thomson’s free kick.
Rothes came out for the second half determined to level but Locos kept them at bay and took a grip on the game once more with Meres and Gaffney stretching the home defence regularly.
A second goal was looking increasingly likely and arrived with 30 minutes left to play. After good work on the left, Meres cut the ball back to Halliday who struck first time across McCarthy.
Locos continued to dictate play but the Speysiders gave themselves a lifeline out of nowhere when Liam McDade hit a screamer past Zack Ellis from 25 yards. In the early part of the season that goal may have destroyed Locos confidence but the team is more resilient now and had the confidence to go on and put the game to bed.
Meres was denied by McCarthy but turned provider once again shortly afterwards, playing a perfectly weighted pass for Gaffney who finished with aplomb to restore the two goal lead with 10 minutes remaining. In the final minute, Callum Duncan completed the scoring after being fed by fellow substitute Blair Smith’s back heel.
This was a well deserved result for Locos and the performance provided more evidence of the progress being made under Dean Donaldson. That progress will be tested with two tough fixtures at Harlaw Park this week. Formartine United visit on Wednesday in the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup before we host Highland League champions Brechin City on Saturday.
