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Cutting out cheap goals 'won't be an overnight fix' for Wick Academy





Ryan Sargent lashes in Fraserburgh's opening goal after six minutes. Picture: Mel Roger
Ryan Sargent lashes in Fraserburgh's opening goal after six minutes. Picture: Mel Roger

Improving Wick Academy's defensive record "won't be an overnight fix", manager Gary Manson has warned.

Their 3-0 home defeat to Fraserburgh in the Highland League means the Scorries have conceded 19 goals in their last four games in all competitions.

However, Manson was not too downhearted about the overall performance on Saturday.

The damage was done in the first half as strikes from Ryan Sargent, Logan Watt and Paul Young gave the visitors a commanding lead before Wick forward Gordon MacNab missed a penalty.

"At the moment, where we're at, the way we competed with them in the second half was decent," Manson said.

"We're not wanting to sit here and say that getting beaten 3-0 by Fraserburgh at home is a positive, but you have to look to take some positives out of every game.

"We gave away cheap goals again, which is something that we're trying to cut out. It won't be an overnight fix.

"At half-time I reiterated again where we were going wrong. Fraserburgh are a very direct team. They get the ball into their attacking third as quickly as they can, and it's about our back four not reacting to it but getting into position before it happens.

"I thought they did that a lot better in the second half.

"Whether Fraserburgh took their foot off the pedal a wee bit maybe, I don't know, but I thought we competed a lot better and created two or three half-chances – on another day we might have taken one of them.

"It was a shame the penalty didn't go in as well. That would have made it a wee bit tighter in the second half, but these things happen."

Ross Gunn shields the ball under pressure from Fraserburgh's Paul Young. Picture: Mel Roger
Ross Gunn shields the ball under pressure from Fraserburgh's Paul Young. Picture: Mel Roger

Fraserburgh manager Mark Cowie was satisfied with the outcome at Harmsworth Park, although he found fault with some aspects of his team's display.

"I think we got ourselves into a position that it was going to be difficult for Wick to get back into it," Cowie said after first-half goals by Ryan Sargent, Logan Watt and Paul Young secured a 3-0 win for the Broch.

"I don't think we were overly troubled in the second half.

"Our keeper didn't have much to do, other than face a penalty. We had a lot of the ball.

"I had a go at the guys at half-time. At times we were unplayable but at times we were too slow.

"We got our goals when we moved the ball about quickly. When we move quickly we manage to create chances, and we've got players on the pitch that'll take chances.

"Thankfully we got the three points. That was the main objective."

Wick Academy's Marc Coghill and Fraserburgh's Ryan Sargent. Picture: Mel Roger
Wick Academy's Marc Coghill and Fraserburgh's Ryan Sargent. Picture: Mel Roger

Fraserburgh opened the scoring on six minutes when Sargent lashed the ball in from close range following a corner on the right.

They doubled their lead after 22 minutes when Watt's well-placed shot from the edge of the box flew in off a post.

The Broch struck again on 40 minutes when Young found himself in space in front of goal and hooked a shot beyond Graeme Williamson.

Academy were handed a potential lifeline two minutes before half-time when MacNab was adjudged to have been brought down by Fraserburgh keeper Joe Barbour. MacNab took the resultant penalty himself but sent it high and wide.

With eight minutes to go, Wick's Alan Hughes was red-carded by referee Joel Kennedy for a last-man foul on Sargent as the Fraserburgh man broke through the middle.

Wick Academy defender Rob McLean tangles with Fraserburgh's Scott Barbour. Picture: Mel Roger
Wick Academy defender Rob McLean tangles with Fraserburgh's Scott Barbour. Picture: Mel Roger

Formartine United are three points clear at the top of the Highland League after a 5-0 victory over Clachnacuddin in Inverness.

Graeme Rodger and Julian Wade each scored twice and Adam Emslie was also on target for the Pitmedden outfit.

Champions Brechin City won by the same scoreline at home to Strathspey. Andy Kirk's men are three points off top spot with two games in hand.

Huntly’s strong early-season form continued with a 6-0 win away to Deveronvale, while previous leaders Buckie Thistle were beaten 2-0 by Banks O’Dee in Aberdeen.

Inverurie's troubles continued as they lost 4-0 at Nairn.

Kyle Henderson takes on Fraserburgh's Kieran Simpson. Picture: Mel Roger
Kyle Henderson takes on Fraserburgh's Kieran Simpson. Picture: Mel Roger

Highland League results: Banks O' Dee 2, Buckie Thistle 0; Brechin City 5, Strathspey Thistle 0; Clachnacuddin 0, Formartine United 5; Deveronvale 0, Huntly 6; Keith 0, Brora Rangers 1; Nairn County 4, Inverurie Locos 0; Rothes 1, Lossiemouth 0; Turriff United 2, Forres Mechanics 0; Wick Academy 0, Fraserburgh 3.

Fixtures for Saturday – Scottish Cup, first round (ties involving Highland League clubs): Banks O'Dee v Dalbeattie Star; Brechin City v Rothes; Brora Rangers v Berwick Rangers; Broxburn Athletic v Nairn County; Caledonian Braves v Fraserburgh; Clachnacuddin v Inverurie Locos; Culter v Deveronvale; East Stirlingshire v Huntly; Formartine United v Threave Rovers; Gala Fairydean Rovers v Strathspey Thistle; Golspie Sutherland v Forres Mechanics; Lossiemouth v Beith Juniors; Tayport v Buckie Thistle; Turriff United v Sauchie Juniors; Wick Academy v Jeanfield Swifts (3pm).


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