‘Exceptional’ young Scorries crowned as SHFL Under 18 North champions
Wick Academy’s under-18s were hailed as an “exceptional group” after securing the SHFL Under 18 North championship.
The young Scorries rounded off their 2024/25 campaign with a 4-1 victory over Lossiemouth at Harmsworth Park on Sunday and were presented with the trophy afterwards.
However, they had already been confirmed as champions after their closest challengers, Balloan Thistle, were beaten 4-3 by Dingwall on Friday.
It means Academy will face the winners of SHFL Under 18 East in a play-off to determine the overall Highland League winners at that age group.
The play-off will be at a neutral venue on a date still to be confirmed.
The newly crowned North champions took a while to get going on Sunday but took the lead on the half-hour mark when Louis Hancock smashed the ball home from close range.
The young Scorries weren’t quite reaching their usual high standards and Lossiemouth equalised early in the second half with a fine goal by Cairn Lasley.
Academy started to click and George Ewing pounced on 65 minutes to put the home side 2-1 up. Robbie Boyd added a third from close range on 70 minutes and Boyd rounded off the scoring with his second and Wick’s fourth on 82 minutes.
Coach Derek Shearer said: “I have huge pride in this exceptional group of boys. I can’t praise them highly enough.
“They train with intensity every week and have developed into great footballers. The standard in this league is very high, and to win the league by six points is an incredible achievement.”
Balloan went on to beat Rothes 4-0 on Sunday.
Banks O’ Dee are top of SHFL Under 18 East, having completed their fixtures, but they could still be overtaken by Formartine United if the Pitmedden side gather enough points from their games in hand.
