Fit-again Sinclair will be 'another option' for Wick Academy
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Wick Academy manager Gary Manson is hoping defender Brandon Sinclair can put his injury problems behind him and re-establish himself as a key member of the Scorries' squad.
Sinclair, who will be 24 this month, has had a long spell on the sidelines but he impressed when he came off the bench in Saturday's 3-1 away defeat to Turriff United in the Highland League, having made a brief appearance in the goalless draw with Rothes the previous week.
"He's another option for us," Manson said. "Brandon has had a tough time with injuries over the last two or three years, so hopefully he can keep himself fit and have a steady run in the squad now.
"He's a good player and he's a handy player to have."
Academy dropped to 15th in the table after their 10th league defeat of the campaign. Deveronvale moved above them after picking up three points at Forres.
"We competed well in the dirty side of the game – it was just when we had possession of the football we let ourselves down a bit," Manson said.
"We gave the ball away far too easily. When we had possession it wasn't good enough."
Turriff's ground, The Haughs, had recovered from flooding between Christmas and New Year but the teams had to contend with wet and windy conditions on Saturday.
Wick keeper Graeme Williamson pulled off a great save to keep out a Murray Cormack header from a corner.
The home side took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Callan Gray picked out Ewan Clark, who fired the ball in off a post with his second attempt.
Marc Coghill and Jack Halliday had efforts at the other end before the break.
Turriff doubled their lead a minute into the second half when Reece McKeown nodded the ball over Williamson from Andy Watt's deep cross.
McKeown struck again on 66 minutes when he got on the end of a through ball from Clark and produced a superb finish.
Liam Strachan had a chance to add a fourth but his shot was saved by Williamson.
Academy grabbed a consolation goal in the 90th minute when Turriff keeper David Dey failed to deal with Matthew Aitkenhead's delivery and Ross Gunn was on hand to head the ball in.
The result lifted Turriff up to seventh.
Three rearranged fixtures involving Wick Academy have been announced by the Highland League.
The Scorries will meet Brora Rangers at Harmsworth Park on Wednesday, January 31, and will travel to Grantown-on-Spey on February 14 for another Wednesday night fixture, against Strathspey Thistle.
The other rearranged fixture is away to champions Brechin City on Saturday, February 24.
Turriff United manager Warren Cummings praised his players for the "professional" way they approached Saturday's match against Wick Academy, writes Kyle Ritchie.
"We were disappointed not to keep a clean sheet but overall it was a good day," he said after Turriff's 3-1 victory at The Haughs.
"I thought we were professional in the main and at half-time we spoke about the need for concentration.
"We dominated possession but when you do that there could be the problem that the counter-attack is on for the other team if you are not exact with your passing, and at times in the first half that was not great.
"In the second half we were professional, dominated the ball and created a lot of chances."
He added: "The conditions were very difficult and the pitch got really muddy. We are thankful to our groundsman for putting in the work to get it playable after the deluge of rain we have had in the past few weeks.
"The weather made it harder but generally we managed it pretty well."
Fraserburgh and Brora Rangers dropped vital league points at the weekend while Brechin City, Banks O' Dee, Formartine United and Buckie Thistle strengthened their respective title bids.
Two goals by Ewan Loudon helped Brechin stay top with a 3-1 victory over Rothes, who had Bobby Beckwith in charge as caretaker manager following the departure of Ross Jack.
The league's top scorer, Grady McGrath, had a penalty saved by Rothes keeper Sean McCarthy before substitute Murray Mackintosh made the points safe. Greg Morrison reduced the deficit for the Speysiders.
Deveronvale pulled off a 2-0 victory away to Forres Mechanics, teenager Ryan Park scoring both goals in the first half.
Banks O' Dee moved back to second place with a 6-1 success over Lossiemouth at Grant Park.
Hamish Macleod opened the scoring for the visitors within 30 seconds of kick-off. Kane Winton and Garry Wood (penalty) put Dee 3-0 up before Niall Kennedy reduced the deficit with a spot-kick before the break.
Two quick-fire goals by Lachie Macleod at the start of the second half increased Dee's lead and an own goal rounded off the scoring.
Keith scored the first and last goals at Formartine United but in between they conceded six, including a hat-trick for debut striker Aaron Reid.
Nathan McKeown got the Maroons off to a flying start before Adam Emslie levelled midway through the first half.
Reid notched a 16-minute treble after the break and an Aidan Combe strike in between meant the game was over as a contest by the midway point in the second half.
Brody Alberts got a sixth for the home side on 90 minutes before Connor Killoh forced in a consolation in stoppage time.
Fraserburgh were twice pegged back by Clach and were left to rue a missed penalty and a red card.
Willie West handed Broch a half-time advantage but Lewis Mackenzie levelled just after the break, then Fraserburgh's top scorer Sean Butcher was sent off.
Broch were awarded a penalty eight minutes from the end but Ryan Sargent hit the bar. A minute from time Logan Watt netted what looked like being a winner for Broch, only for substitute Dylan Mackenzie to score with his first touch to grab a point for the Inverness men.
Brora were held to a 2-2 draw at Inverurie Locos, where they also missed a penalty.
Cole Anderson and Nathan Meres had Dean Donaldson's side two up inside 32 minutes, and Jordan MacRae blazed a penalty over for the Cattachs before half-time.
Max Ewan pulled one back on 56 minutes and MacRae made amends with an equaliser 20 minutes from time.
Strathspey Thistle's home fixture with Nairn County was postponed due to a frozen pitch at Seafield Park.
Highland League results: Brechin City 3, Rothes 1; Fraserburgh 2, Clachnacuddin 2; Formartine United 6, Keith 2; Forres Mechanics 0, Deveronvale 2; Huntly 2, Buckie Thistle 3; Inverurie Locos 2, Brora Rangers 2; Lossiemouth 1, Banks O' Dee 6; Turriff United 3, Wick Academy 1.
Highland League fixtures for Saturday, January 20: Banks O' Dee v Inverurie Locos; Clachnacuddin v Forres Mechanics; Deveronvale v Formartine United; Keith v Huntly; Nairn County v Lossiemouth; Rothes v Strathspey Thistle; Turriff United v Fraserburgh; Wick Academy v Brechin City (3pm).
Scottish Cup – Saturday: Brora Rangers v Cove Rangers. Sunday: Celtic v Buckie Thistle.
