Stay at home - that's the message to Buckie Thistle and Rothes fans who were planning to make the trip to Keith for Saturday's Highland League Cup final which is being played behind closed door due to the coronavirus pandemic

ROTHES and Buckie Thistle football clubs urging their supporters not to head to Keith for tomorrow's Utilita Highland League Cup final.

The Speysiders could write a new chapter in their club history if they lift the trophy for the first time by defeating their Moray rivals.

Watch highlights of Rothes' semi-final win at Formartine United

But with the match being played behind closed doors at Kynoch Park due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is the first Highland League final without any fans inside the ground.

Fears have grown that some Rothes or Buckie fans might make the journey to Keith and congregate outside the final venue to cheer their team on.

Both clubs have appealed for all supporters to stay away for safety reasons, and instead subscribe to the live video stream and watch from home.

Watch all the action from Buckie's shoot-out victory at Brora in the semis

"It has come to our attention that some fans intend travelling to Keith with the intention of gaining access or a viewpoint for the cup final on Saturday," said a Jags spokesperson.

"No such access is available and both clubs would urge our supporters to stay at home and if possible purchase the streaming facility to view the game online. This will also provide income for the clubs.

"We are all disappointed that fans cannot attend but we must obey the rules. Thank you for understanding."

Rothes joined their cup final opponents in spreading the 'stay at home' message.

"It seems bizarre that on this occasion like never before we are asking for your immense support to make a difference by not attending the final but that is exactly where we are," said the Rothes statement.

"Although many of you will feel that you have been robbed of a special day out to watch your club compete for honours in person, others will for the first time have the opportunity to engage with the match live from the comfort of their own home.

"Perhaps not the atmosphere most committed supporters would choose but our first priority is to the safety of our communities and both clubs would respectfully ask you not to compromise your own health and others by travelling to Keith on Saturday.

"The infection rates are already rising in Moray and neither club would wish a legacy of our special day to be the root cause of further spread of the virus."

Saturday's final is available to watch on pay-per-view access, see here for more details.

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