Following an impressive victory at Formartine last weekend, it's back to league action for City tomorrow afternoon as we travel to face Rothes at Mackessack Park.

The Speysiders started their league campaign with 2 defeats against Huntly and Brora Rangers, but recovered with a draw against Banks O' Dee and back to back wins against Nairn County and Wick Academy. They did, however, crash out of the Highland League Cup last weekend following a 3-2 defeat at home to Inverurie Locos, who City will face in the next round.

After resting a number of key players last weekend, it will likely be a more familiar City side that will take to the field tomorrow afternoon.

TEAM NEWS
City's only definite absentees will be long-term injury victim Anthony McDonald and Ewan White who serves the first of his 2-match suspension following his red card last week. Skipper Euan Spark will be assessed after returning to light training earlier in the week whilst Michael McArthur could return to the side after struggling with illness last weekend.

MANAGERS COMMENTS
Reflecting on the Highland League Cup victory over Formartine United last weekend, Manager Andy Kirk commented, "It turned out to be a good day for us. There a lot of players that have played a lot of games for us and it's been a tough schedule so we thought we would rotate things a bit. It gave those who haven't played a lot of minutes the chance to show what they can do. They played well and ultimately deserved the win.

Young strikers Liam Duell and Stuart Heenan both got on the scoresheet for City with Andy adding, "Liam hadn't trained the week leading up to the game so he was maybe a bit rusty in the first 15-20 minutes. We moved him up through the middle and he started to get into the game a bit more and his goal obviously gave him a bit of confidence and he pushed on from there. It was a great finish and I think all 3 goals were quality in terms of the finishing.

"Stuart is a young player and this is his first taste of senior football. He hasn't had a lot of minutes before last Saturday so it was a chance for him to show what he can do. The goal will do him the world of good but there is a lot of development still there for him and playing week in week out with the squad we have is going to be a challenge for him. I was pleased with a number of things that he done and his finish was different class and that's what he's capable of. He's a goalscorer and in that scenario you'd back him 9 times out of 10."

Looking ahead to a tough trip to face Rothes tomorrow, he said, "Rothes are always well organised and have a good structure to them. They work hard and are physically capable too. In the last game it took a late winner from Botti (Biabi) late in the game.

We need to be ruthless at both ends of the pitch - we need to defend well and when we get the chances at the other end we need to take them. I think the league this year is going to be more competitive - there are a number of teams that have improved from last season and tomorrow will be a tough game."

ADMISSION INFORMATION
Tomorrow's match kicks off at 3pm. Admission prices at Mackessack Park are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

SUPPORTERS' TRAVEL
Brechin City Supporters' Club are running a coach to the game which will leave St Ninians Square at 10:30am. There are very limited seats remaining - to book yourself on please text 07740 856565 or e-mail dwalker@brechincity.com

MATCH OFFICIALS
Tomorrow's match referee is Owen Lawrence, assisted by Caryl Potten and Kevin Whyte.

PREVIOUS MEETING
Rothes 0-1 Brechin City - 7th January 2023
City had to dig deep as a late winner from Botti Biabi proved to be enough to earn a vital 3 points over Rothes shortly after the turn of the year.