Allan knew results would start gong Wick's way after slow start to season
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Davie Allan knew there was no need to panic after Wick Academy made a slow start to the Highland League campaign.
The 32-year-old forward was confident that results would start going their way, and so it has proved. Allan's well-taken hat-trick against Keith at Harmsworth Park at the weekend earned the Scorries a fifth consecutive victory as they consolidated their place in the top eight.
He got his first inside two minutes – continuing where he had left off in the previous home game, when he netted in stoppage time to seal a 2-0 win against Lossiemouth. Keith turned things around after the break to establish a 2-1 lead, but Allan struck twice more to complete a 3-2 victory for the home side – their seventh win in eight games.
“We played quite well in the first half," he said. "We never got started in the second half but we're always confident that we can score. You've just got to keep going and luckily it worked out.”
The Scorries had to wait until the beginning of October for their first league win this term, a 3-1 success against Fort William, after a series of six score draws and three defeats in their opening nine fixtures. But they have now collected 21 points from a possible 24 since losing to Inverurie Locos at the start of November.
Allan is in his 14th season at Harmsworth Park, having signed in December 2008. He is third on the list of the club's top scorers, behind Richard Macadie and Gary Weir, with Saturday's treble taking his total to 157 goals in 396 competitive appearances.
Despite the long wait for a first win in 2021/22, Allan was sure the Scorries were going in the right direction under player/manager Gary Manson, assistant manager Michael Gray and first-team coach Gordon McDonald.
“I know we were on a bad run but I wasn't really panicking,” Allan said. “I've played in this league a long time and I know we're not a bad team.
“I knew we were going to get wins. It was a wee bit of bad luck and a wee bit our own fault that we weren't winning, but there was no panic from us.
“We know that Gary and Michael and Gordie are doing the right things. We knew it was going to turn.
“There have been all these games where we've been hanging on a wee bit at the end when we probably shouldn't have been – we should have been further ahead. But there are no easy games in the Highland League. You still have to battle for it.
“Ideally you get another goal ahead and it maybe settles the game. But we've shown good character this season when we have gone behind.”
Allan has recovered well from a knee ligament injury several years ago that kept him out for 14 months. “Apart from that I've been quite lucky,” he said.
Allan is hoping his team-mate Sean Campbell makes a quick recovery from the ankle injury he sustained against Keith. “It's a shame for Sean. He hasn't had much luck this season with injuries but he showed on the park what he gives you – non-stop running,” Allan said.
On a brighter note, Allan is pleased to see the club's record scorer Richard Macadie returning to fitness after the knee injury he picked up in pre-season. He said: “It's good to see him coming back and if we can get some other players back it'll help us.”
Allan is as motivated as ever and is keen to add to his tally of eight goals so far this term.
He said: “I still enjoy it – I still look forward to my football on a Saturday and I feel fit enough.”
Related stories:
- Academy continue to pile up points as Allan hat-trick sinks Keith
- Allan hat-trick earns another win as Manson praises team's character
