Academy manager wades in against defence
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‘I LEFT that dressing room leaving the players in no doubt that wasn’t good enough.”
Davie Kirkwood lost his patience with his squad as Wick Academy failed to hold on to a second-half lead to lose Saturday’s match against Deveronvale in the dying minutes.
Failing to take numerous chances to put daylight between the two sides, together with panic in the back, led to the Wick manager losing his rag with his players.
Speaking to the Caithness Courier, Kirkwood seemed fed up with his side being known as one which can attack but struggles to defend.
“We are magnificent going forward,” he said. “But our defence at times is shambolic. We just seem to be getting the basics wrong in the back. Players are failing to take responsibility.”
He continued: “It’s not just the defenders which are to blame as the midfield and forward line have to be held to account.
“We’re a team when we go forward and we have to be a team when we are defending too. The only way we can sort that is by freshening up. If they are not going to do what they are told, they are not going to be here.”
Kirkwood added: “The winner was scored by our team backing off. Deveronvale were playing one striker through the middle which only needs one person to mark.
“But the player was allowed to strike from 35 metres which always will be a danger.
“To be fair we had the bulk of the play, but it’s not enough.”
Deveronvale manager Scott Anderson said picking up three points with depleted manpower was a huge achievement.
“Under the difficult circumstances of having so many players out, this a big win for us,” he said. “Coming up here is never an easy task.
“We were in a battle and I think that we both squandered a number of opportunities throughout the game.
“But in the end we managed to take more of our chances and we deserve the three points.
“It hasn’t been an easy start, but reaching the Aberdeenshire Cup Final together with winning at Harmsworth Park will kick-start our season.”
He added: “We should have players coming back in the next few weeks.
“We are looking to be up there at the end of the season with the likes of Buckie and Cove challenging for the title.”
