We just weren’t at the races, says Academy boss after opening day derby defeat

DEJECTED Wick Academy manager Tom McKenna watched his side succumb to a 2-0 derby defeat to Brora Rangers and admitted: “We just weren’t at the races.”

Goals by Kyle Macleod on the stroke of half-time and Craig Campbell just before the hour mark gave Brora a 2-0 win at Dudgeon Park on Saturday in Steven Mackay’s first competitive match as player/manager.

Rarely will you see a more one-sided game with a mere two-goal margin of victory, and after the final whistle McKenna admitted his team had been second best throughout.

“We were lethargic, we were disjointed, there was no fluency in our game,” he said.

“I’m not going to take anything away from Brora – they were by far the better team. I thought they outfought us, they outplayed us – we just weren’t at the races.”

Mackay – who drafted in vastly experienced keeper Ryan Esson on the eve of the match – said he couldn’t have asked for more from his team.

“It was important that we won the game first and foremost but I think the manner in which we won it was most pleasing,” he said.

“I thought we controlled it more or less from the start of the game. We feel that we’ve got the ability in the changing room to do that to teams. It’s a case of going out there and actually doing it.”

See the Caithness Courier on Wednesday for full report and pictures.