Kirkwood: ‘You can’t lunge in the 18-yard box’
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THERE were no complaints from Wick Academy manager Davie Kirkwood about Saturday’s result as he said the better team progressed to the third round of the Scottish Cup.
So far this season his side has impressed with its attacking mentality but the manager blamed hesitancy up front for the defeat.
The windy conditions meant attractive passing football was always going to be kept to a minimum. But Kirkwood said failing to adapt to the conditions was always going to leave Academy vulnerable.
“Against Forres, when they produced their best performance of the season, I asked them to continue in the same way,” he said. “But they did the exact opposite when they allowed Keith to take the initiative.
“They weren’t in their face, didn’t make the right passes and made the wrong choices. When you do that in the Scottish Cup, you don’t deserve to be in the next round.
“When you play in windy conditions you have to learn to adapt to it and it has been a harsh lesson for some of the younger players.”
He said the team was lacking some self-belief in its ability and stressed he would make it his priority to help the players reach their potential.
“We have a lot of talented young players in the squad and Wick Academy has a very bright future. I know that they are good enough to take the next step and it’s about making them know that they are good enough.
“Alan Farquhar was once again outstanding as he read the game, showed great athleticism and was aggressive.
“He’s got everything you want in a player, but even he doubts himself sometimes.”
Kirkwood said the referee was right to award Keith the penalty which won the match, saying his players should have known better.
“The one thing I have told these players is that you can’t lunge in the 18-yard box.
“You can’t wait on the ball in that area and have to go and meet it every time, the other team aren’t going to stand still and neither can they.
“But our player stood still and the other player got there first which resulted in the penalty being rightfully given.”
Keith manager Darren Still expected a tough game and was pleased with how his team coped with the conditions.
“In the first half we played some good, smart football by keeping possession and passing along the deck.
“We haven’t been noted for our clean sheets so far, but this is a very welcome one. In the first round we were about as south as you can go and in the second round we’ve been to the most northern side in the competition.
“We would like to get a draw which is nearer to home, but would rather avoid another Highland League team.
“The Scottish Cup means a lot to us as it gives us a chance to test ourselves at a higher level and also brings financial rewards.”
