Rothes manager Ross Jack believes their 2-0 win over Banks o’ Dee shows they’re returning to the levels of last season.
The Speysiders triumphed at Mackessack Park thanks to fine strikes from Aidan Wilson and Fraser Robertson.
Rothes finished fifth in the Breedon Highland League last term and this victory moves them up to eighth after a challenging start to the season.
Boss Jack said: “It’s one of the best results we’ve had this season, we haven’t had too many positive results.
“But if we keep doing the right things and doing what we’ve been doing the last few games we won’t be far away from where we were last season.
“There’s a bit to go yet and more belief to come, but I was delighted with the possession we had and the chances we created.
“We’ve had a tough spell this season and have been short on numbers but the boys are getting on with it, doing well and gaining experience.
“We’ve got a long way to go to reach the standards of last season but we’re working hard to get there.”
Reflecting on the game and in particular the stunning opener from Wilson, Jack added: “Aidan’s been on fire and he caught it so sweetly it was like an Exocet missile but with swerve on it as well.
“It went in like a bullet and was a great finish.”
Lack of hunger from Dee
This was Banks o’ Dee’s first outing since October 14 and also their first since being deducted 24 points last week for fielding an unregistered player.
Manager Jamie Watt was left bemoaning a poor first half display and a failure to take chances after the break.
He said: “After being idle for two weeks I thought we’d be champing at the bit and ready to take the game to Rothes but it didn’t work out like that.
“The first half wasn’t what we expect and Rothes deserved their lead at half-time.
“There was a lack of hunger and intensity and I questioned them at half-time.
“In the second half we had a lot more hunger and showed the team we can be.
“But you can’t play for 45 minutes and give teams like Rothes a lead.
“I thought we probably deserved a goal in the second half for our effort and the amount of times we were in their box, we had a couple of good chances.
“Whether that (points deduction) has had an impact I wouldn’t have thought so, it’s maybe just being idle.”
Scorcher sets Speysiders on their way
After Greg Morrison and Wilson had tested goalkeeper Ross Salmon early on Wilson fired Rothes ahead on 26 minutes.
His scorching right-foot shot from 25 yards flashed past the custodian before he could react.
Dee posed more problems for the hosts in the second period and had a strong wind behind them.
The closest they came to an equaliser was Neil Gauld’s glancing header off the crossbar from a Lewis Crosbie corner just before the hour mark.
Midway through the second half Mark Gilmour headed Magnus Watson’s right-wing cross wide at the back post with the goal gaping.
Having withstood the visitors’ pressure Rothes secured victory in the second minute of injury time.
Shane Harkness dispossessed Salmon and found Robertson who fired home from 20 yards.
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