Spot-on signing - Cans boss sizes up Rothes ahead of league opener

Forres Mechanics manager Charlie Rowley arrived home from holiday on Sunday, with thoughts now fully on Saturday’s Highland League opener at home to Rothes.

The Can-Cans rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win against Aberdonian junior side Hermes on Saturday, with Scott Lawrie’s 22 minute penalty enough to separate the sides.

Lawrie joined Duncan Jones in extending his contract, meaning all players are now fully signed up for next season. Rowley is now looking beyond that, and aims to tie up three players whose deals run out next summer.

Rowley said: “We are hoping to get three tied up beyond next summer. Ross McPherson has already agreed a two-year extension to his contract.

“I aim to speak to Simon Allan and Graeme Grant, as well as Kyle Scott when he gets back from his holiday, about extending their contracts too. It’s something I would rather sort out now rather than leave to the last minute, for obvious reasons.”

Although Rowley missed Saturday’s game, the feedback he received from assistant manager Russell McFee was positive.

Rowley added: “We played really well, and had a good shape about us. Hermes were a step up in quality from the junior teams we had played before. They made us work hard, although it sounded like it was relatively comfortable for a 1-0.”

Forres last week clinched the signings of Inverness City duo Paul Smith and Andrew Fraser, and Rowley was pleased to add depth to crucial areas of his squad.

He said: “Paul started training with us having been recommended by Duncan Jones who had known him from before. We invited him to training, putting no pressure on him or on us.

“He fitted in really well so we offered Paul a contract, which he accepted. I’m really pleased with our strength in depth, Paul is a left-sided defender, and if we played him as a left-back we could push Craig McGovern forward into the left-side of midfield which is his favoured position.

“We have been keeping in contact with Andrew for about a year and a half now. We first came across him when he played against us for City in a friendly at Mosset Park. We have kept a close eye on him since and spoken to certain individuals.

“Circumstances dictated that he couldn’t commit to playing Highland League football before, but we have signed him on a two-year deal now and he adds to our attacking options.”

With the start of the league campaign now just a matter of days away, Forres’ bye in the AJG Parcels North of Scotland Cup means they will profit from an extended break compared to some of their rivals.

Rowley plans to take in Wednesday’s match at MacKessack Park which sees Lossiemouth travel to face Saturday’s opponents Rothes, with the winner of the tie also facing Mechanics in the second round of the competition.

With the Speysiders boss Frani More having made multiple changes to his squad in his first pre-season in the job, Rowley expects the side who finished 16 in last season’s Highland League to be fired up for the encounter.

He added: “It’s a very important game. It’s important for us to get off to a positive start. We are aiming to be as fit, focused and up for it as we can be. For the first game of the season Rothes will be up for it as well, and it will be a difficult task for us.

“The first month or so of the season can be a level playing field in terms of fitness. So we will need to be focused against a new Rothes side. Their players will be looking to impress in the Highland League.

“If we are up for it and we play to our best, our quality should hopefully show through. I will go to see Rothes play Lossiemouth in the North of Scotland Cup on Wednesday.”