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Comeback at Keith masks poor Academy show


By Matt Leslie

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Wick Academy had Jack Henry to thank as the midfielder's injury-time strike snatched a 2-2 at Keith. Picture: Mel Roger
Wick Academy had Jack Henry to thank as the midfielder's injury-time strike snatched a 2-2 at Keith. Picture: Mel Roger

Wick Academy boss Tom McKenna admitted his men got out of jail as they salvaged a point against Keith.

The Scorries looked to be facing certain defeat with six minutes left of Saturday's Highland League encounter at Kynoch Park.

Goals from Michael Selfridge and Craig MacAskill seemed set to secure the three points for the Maroons.

However, Academy were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty which was calmly converted by Gary Manson.

Ross Allan was sent off for a last-man foul and any hope for a comeback looked to have been extinguished by that.

However, a short back-pass by Keith's Andy Smith allowed Jack Henry to steal in and slot home from a tricky angle to tie it up at 2-2.

"I have to say our performance was below par and did not reach the standards that we set ourselves," McKenna said.

"When you come away from another team's ground with a win or a comeback to salvage a draw, the team bus is usually very lively.

At the end of the day we have got a satisfactory point but we were not at the races.

"However, the atmosphere on the bus back home was more sombre and that's because our performance was not the best.

"It was a bad day at the office for us, but all credit to Keith. They are a hard-working side and we didn't ask enough questions of them.

"I suppose at the end of the day we have got a satisfactory point but we were not at the races. The boys in the changing room agreed with that as well. Going into the game, we were looking to take another three points following the win at Locos.

"The equaliser was the only chance that we created – and even then we needed a defensive mix-up to let Jack score.

"That was the only time – apart from the penalty – that their goalie had anything to do. Whereas at the other end, Sean McCarthy had to make a number of very good saves.

"However, I suppose it's a good sign that you can come back from 2-0 down to a very good side like Keith.

"Unfortunately, we came down with the intention of getting all three points but we did not play well enough."

McKenna's counterpart in the Keith dugout, Dean Donaldson, said: “We had all the possession, played all the football and created all the chances and were unlucky to be just two up.

“We were quite comfortable throughout the game and it was just a lazy tackle for the penalty and a slack back-pass in the last action of the game for the equaliser.

“It was just a long ball forward and Andy Smith laid it back to the goalkeeper which he didn’t need to do.

“He just needed to put it as far out of the park as possible, then the referee would have blown for full-time. He has tried to pass it back to the keeper and not put enough on it.

“Apart from that, Wick didn’t create a thing. We restricted them to long-rangers or very little.

“If I was their coach I’d be delighted getting out of there with a draw.”


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