Rothes manager Steven MacDonald is champing at the bit ahead of this weekend’s home North of Scotland Cup first round tie against Wick Academy.
Rothes managed only one competitive game last month – a 2-1 League Cup home defeat by Formartine United – and MacDonald said: “I don’t like the idea of putting the North of Scotland Cup competition to the end of the season.
“I wonder what the logic for that decision was.
“If you are fortunate enough to get to the final of the competition, it would be practically during the pre-season build-up.
“I totally understand you just can’t keep everyone happy with the fixtures, and generally they do a great job, but I find it baffling that a club like Formartine United have played 24 league games, the least of any club in the league.
“Ourselves and Wick Academy are next, with 25 games.
“Yet we have been asked to bring a cup tie forward by a month and a half, when we haven’t played each other in the league this term.
“It is bizarre and hard to get your head round and I’m not totally happy with it as you have to wait another six weeks before everyone else plays their first-round tie.”
Looking ahead to this weekend’s cup tie, the former Caley Thistle, Clachnacuddin, Elgin City and Forres Mechanics central defender added: “It’s a home draw for a start.
“We know how good a team Wick Academy are and they will be well prepared for the trip to Speyside.”
