Manson praises energy and commitment of Wick players but 'sloppy goals' prove costly
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Gary Manson praised the commitment and work rate shown by his Wick Academy players after they lost out to Buckie Thistle in Saturday's Highland League opener.
The manager felt his side deserved at least a draw but admitted that lapses in concentration proved costly in the 3-2 home defeat and said Kyle Macleod's two headed goals looked avoidable.
While acknowledging there were aspects to work on, Manson felt there were plenty of positives to take from the game – Academy's first competitive outing since football came to a halt in March because of the coronavirus crisis.
Tight protocols were in place at Harmsworth Park as the club welcomed a maximum of 300 supporters who had to purchase tickets in advance and comply with social distancing and other guidelines.
Having waited 315 days for a home fixture, the fans witnessed a gripping encounter with all the goals coming in the second half.
“Neither team could have argued had it finished as a draw – and to be fair I don’t think they could have argued if we’d nicked it," Manson said.
“It was a tight game between two evenly matched teams.”
Macleod's opener was cancelled out when Ryan Campbell finished off a brilliantly worked move. Macleod restored the Jags' lead and Andy MacAskill added a third from the penalty spot before Craig Gunn reduced the deficit and set up a thrilling finale.
Gunn had the ball in the net again in the dying stages but it was ruled out for offside.
Manson reckoned Buckie could have had no complaints if a goal had been given.
“If any team was going to score the next goal it was certainly going to be us. We were pushing for it," Manson said.
“Nobody could question us for not giving it our all and pushing everything towards getting that equaliser. We couldn’t have done much more.
“It was quite noticeable, the intensity and the aggression and the work rate that the players put it. I said to them after the game that absolutely no-one could criticise their effort and their commitment to the cause.
"But losing sloppy goals cost us in the end. They looked avoidable.
“It was a shame because the boys defended their box well throughout the match and it was just those couple of lapses in concentration that ended up costing us the game, I’m afraid.”
On Buckie’s penalty, after MacAskill was adjudged to have been brought down in the box, Manson said. “If he was fouled then fair enough – but he certainly wasn’t fouled the amount of times that he fell over during the game.
“It’s disappointing. The referee certainly bought it, but what can you do?”
He added: “I said to the players at the end there are negatives to work on. We know what they are. Buckie’s first two goals came from cross balls so at least we know where to work on.
“There were numerous positives – the intensity we were playing at, the energy we had. We were definitely the fitter team out there. It was quite noticeable.
“We were aggressive, we wanted to go and attack, and we scored two good goals, so there were numerous positives to take from that – but unfortunately no points.”
Academy's first goal came from a corner taken short by Gunn to Davie Allan. The latter's perfectly executed back-heel set Gunn free to lay on a simple chance for Campbell.
It looked like a clever training-ground move and Manson confirmed that was the case.
“It’s something I am quite big on, working on set-pieces," he said. "It’s something we have done in training for the last wee while in preparation for this game.
“That goal is exactly what we worked on, so it was quite pleasing for it to come off."
Alan Hughes put in a good shift at right-back and Manson said this could become a regular position for him.
“It’s something I have spoken to Alan about and it’s something he is on board with," the manager said.
“I think he’s got all the attributes to be a very good right-back going forward. You shouldn’t be surprised to see him playing there more often this season.”
Brora Rangers began their Highland League title defence with a 5-0 victory against Deveronvale.
Mark Nicolson, Andy MacRae, Paul Brindle (2) and Ally Macdonald were on target at Princess Royal Park as the Cattachs underlined why many see them as clear favourites to lift the championship again.
Fraser Robertson's header was enough to give Rothes a 1-0 win against Huntly in front of the first Mackessack Park crowd since March.
Lossiemouth were also given the green light to welcome fans for the visit of Fraserburgh to Grant Park. Broch won 2-0 with second-half goals by Scott Barbour and Gary Harris.
Formartine United matched Brora's goal tally in a 5-1 win at Turriff United.
Jonny Smith, Dan Park, Garry Wood, Jonny Crawford and Graeme Rodger all netted for the Pitmedden club, with Robert Ward replying for Turriff.
Andy Roddie and Tommy Wilson's first game in charge of Keith resulted in a 2-0 loss at Inverurie Locos, with Neil Gauld netting a double.
A positive Covid-19 test in the Nairn County camp led to their home game with Clach being called off.
Fort William's match with Strathspey Thistle was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Highland League fixtures for Saturday, December 5: Brora Rangers v Wick Academy; Buckie Thistle v Inverurie Locos; Clachnacuddin v Turriff United; Formartine United v Lossiemouth; Fraserburgh v Fort William; Huntly v Deveronvale; Keith v Nairn County; Strathspey Thistle v Rothes.
Musselburgh Athletic will be Wick Academy's opponents in the second preliminary round of the Scottish Cup.
The tie is scheduled for Harmsworth Park on Saturday, December 12.
Musselburgh went through after a 3-2 extra-time win at the weekend against fellow East of Scotland League side Penicuik Athletic, with Darren Downie getting the winner.
