Game strategy 'went to pot' says Kirkwood
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A FAILURE to follow instructions is what led to three points being plucked from Wick Academy’s grasp at the weekend.
That is according to Scorries manager Davie Kirkwood who said he is disappointed not to have taken at least a point from Cove Rangers on their home turf.
Kirkwood said he knew beforehand that Allan Park was a tight pitch and had given his players tips to try and combat the opposition.
“We sent out instructions before the game and a couple of them just went to pot and it costs us two goals,” he said.
“It’s not as if we are giving these instructions for my or Tichie’s [Richard Hughes, assistant manager] sake. It’s for the team’s sake and we’re using the conditions, the players they have and our knowledge of them to play against them.”
He added: “Once our players learn that, I think we’ll be back on the right road again.”
After a disappointing initial 45 minutes of play with Cove moving two goals ahead, Kirkwood said the team was looking for redemption in the second half. However, despite a few good attempts, hesitations and an inability to put the finishing touches on shots cost them the three points.
“If you are giving good teams like Cove a 2-0 lead it’s very difficult to get back,” said the Academy manager.
“We put them under a bit of pressure in the second half but we just didn’t take the chances that we created and never closed the gap. By rights they deserved the 2-0 lead.”
Following on from the loss the Scorries boss is now in the frame of mind to start turning things round.
“We now need to take care of business and we need to start targeting three points,” he said. “What we’ve now got to do is target the teams from the start of the season – the ones that disappointed us, ones that we should have taken something from.”
Meanwhile, Cove Rangers manager Kevin Tindal is delighted to get his eighth win of the season.
“Both teams played well, there wasn’t a bad tackle in the game and the officials didn’t really make a contentious decision,” he said.
“Overall it was a good advert for the Highland Football League and I’m just happy to get the three points.”
Tindal said he knew Wick would have a bounce in their step from the previous week’s win over Nairn County.
But his squad did everything in its power to combat that, and it paid off.
“We knew Wick were coming down with a bit of confidence – with the two good wins they’ve had – and we knew that they are a good footballing side,” said the Cove boss.
“It was a case of trying to impose our strengths on them and trying to dictate the game. I think we did that reasonably well and took our chances when they were presented.”
He added that Wick put up a good fight over 90 minutes, especially towards the end of the game.
“Our goalkeeper had a couple of really good saves at important times near the end,” said Tindal.
“I think one of the guys got through one-on-one and our keeper pulled off a really good stop there.
“It wasn’t all one-way traffic by any manner or means; it was a difficult win which is just what we expected.”
The Scorries have no match next weekend as Inverurie Locos are playing in the third round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
