New Jags boss calls on players to toughen up after nine-goal defeat at Rothes
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Strathspey Thistle manager Rob MacCormack is calling on his players to be 'more physical' after he watched his side crumble to a 9–0 defeat at MacKessack Park.
It was far from the managerial debut the new Jags boss would have wanted last night as Rothes ran rampant against a Thistle side who simply could not match up to their hosts.
MacCormack is now looking for a quick response as they prepare to meet Brora Rangers at Dudgeon Park in just three days.
He said: "It wasn't a great start but we know what work needs to be done. Any improvement was never going to happen overnight.
"We will have to be much better than we were last night if we are to compete with Brora on Saturday and the players know that.
"We were far too lightweight. We have to be a lot more physical in games.
"We gifted Rothes three goals before half time and gave ourselves no chance. That needs to change.
"We need to be harder to break down and stop silly mistakes at the back. The players know that and know what is expected of them.
"We need to learn from games like last night – especially if we are going up against Highland League sides who are still in the title hunt, like we are this weekend.
"Brora will be a huge task for us."
The Grantown side barely had a chance to get started before Rothes broke the deadlock on five minutes.
Aidan Wilson, who went on to net five on the night, scored the opener when he tucked away a rebound after the ball had cannoned off the crossbar.
They doubled their advantage on 26 minutes through Liam Shewan and trebled ten minutes later through Wilson with a wicked strike from 20 yards.
A minute before half time the same player had notched his hat-trick and a well taken goal at the far post.
Wilson was unrelenting in the second half and beat Oliver Kelly in the Jags goal twice more, on 50 and 63 minutes.
Thistle made changes midway through the second half in an effort to stem the tide but Rothes could not be prevented from bagging a further two goals through substitute Ewan Neil and Alan Pollock.
Two minutes from time, Shewan added his second to round off the scoring at 9–0.
Strathspey Thistle: Kelly, Gilliland (Lockett), McDade, Kerr, McShane, Austin (Whitehorn), Grimes, Davison, Paterson, Ross (Loveland), Logan. Not used: Williamson, Cuthbert, McConaghy, Flett
MacCormack named two trialists in his squad for the game, Michael Grimes (Alness United) and Jake Lockett (St Duthus), both from the North Caledonian League.
The manager confirmed that agreements have been made to bring both players in, at least until the end of the season.
He added: "The two new boys came in and while it's hard to judge anything on what we saw last night, I am delighted to add them in to the squad. I am looking forward to them both settling in and seeing what they can bring."
The Jags could be without James McShane for Saturday's trip to Dudgeon Park, however, the manager is hopeful to have Cairn Giles available for selection.
The club also confirmed that recent signings Cameron and Robbie Breen have now been released.
