Manson hails Wick Academy progression after Macadie's stoppage-time winner at Strathspey
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Saturday's comeback win against Strathspey Thistle underlined the "marked improvement" Wick Academy have made over the past year, according to player/manager Gary Manson.
The Scorries fell behind to a Liam Taylor header five minutes into the second half at sunny Seafield Park. But composed finishes by Gordon MacNab after 79 minutes and Mark Macadie in stoppage time secured a 2-1 victory.
It was Academy's first away win of the season in the Highland League and their fourth in all, lifting them to eighth in the table on 12 points. Last season it took them until the third weekend of November to reach and surpass that points tally.
The result in Grantown-on-Spey ended a run of three away defeats to Buckie Thistle, Fraserburgh and Lossiemouth. The Scorries have taken maximum points from their three home fixtures so far, against Keith, Turriff United and Clachnacuddin, keeping clean sheets in each of those.
"I'm still not over the defeat against Lossiemouth but apart from that it has been quite a good start for us," Manson said.
"We're sitting on 12 points after seven games now and last year it took us 15 games to get to the 12-point mark with all the draws that we had at the start of the season. It's a marked improvement.
"That game on Saturday, I'm quite certain last year we wouldn't have come away with the three points.
"It was a scrappy game with no real quality football played by either team until maybe the last 20 minutes when we turned the screw and had them camped in their own half. We were the only team that really looked like winning near the end of the game, I thought.
"But last year we might not have won that game. It's good to see the progression we're making.
"I don't know what the temperature was but it was probably mid-20s, glorious sunshine, not a breath of wind either, so it was quite taxing. I don't know if they tired, but towards the end of the game there was only one team going to win it.
"It's good to get that first away win of the season."
Meanwhile, Academy have been drawn at home to Dundee-based Lochee United of the Scottish Junior FA Midlands League in round one of the Scottish Cup on Saturday, September 17. The tie will be played to a finish that day as the Scottish FA confirmed recently that no replays will take place in this season’s tournament beyond the preliminary round.
Wick Academy's next opponents are Highland League newcomers Banks O' Dee, who scored two goals in a minute just before the interval in a 2-1 home victory over Clachnacuddin on Saturday.
Neil Gauld and Mark Gilmour delivered the double blow to the Lilywhites before Connor Bunce pulled one back.
The biggest scorers of the day were rejuvenated Rothes with a 6-1 success against Turriff United. Ewan Clark headed the visitors into an early lead at Mackessack Park but Rothes responded with goals from Ryan McRitchie, Matheus Machado, Steven Mackay (2), Greg Morrison and Shane Harkness.
Brora Rangers' 100 per cent record was ended by a 2-1 defeat away to Formartine United. Brora's Andy Macrae scored on the rebound following a penalty but the Pitmedden side hit back with goals from Matthew McLean and Scott Lisle.
Formartine are now second in the table behind new leaders Brechin City, who eased to a 3-0 win against Lossiemouth at Glebe Park. Grady McGrath, Anthony McDonald and Fraser Macleod scored within the opening half-hour for on-form City.
Champions Fraserburgh were 4-0 winners at Nairn County. Scott Barbour and Paul Campbell both converted penalties, with the other goals coming from Kieran Simpson and Logan Watt.
Buckie Thistle thumped Inverurie Locos 4-0 at Harlaw Park. Kyle MacLeod's early strike got the Jags on their way, with further goals from Josh Peters, Cohen Ramsay and Sam Urquhart.
Keith came from behind to beat Forres Mechanics 2-1 at Mosset Park.
Huntly grabbed their first league win of the season as Gavin Elphinstone's early goal was enough to see off Deveronvale at Christie Park.
Fixtures – Wednesday – North of Scotland Cup semi-finals: Lossiemouth v Brora Rangers; Rothes v Clachnacuddin.
Saturday – Highland League: Brora Rangers v Deveronvale; Buckie Thistle v Huntly; Clachnacuddin v Rothes; Fraserburgh v Inverurie Locos; Keith v Formartine United; Lossiemouth v Nairn County; Strathspey Thistle v Brechin City; Turriff United v Forres Mechanics; Wick Academy v Banks O' Dee.
