Manson 'really proud' of under-strength Wick Academy as Locos hold on
Wick Academy manager Gary Manson told his players they could hold their heads high after Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Inverurie Locos in the Highland League.
Two down at the break, the depleted Scorries produced a spirited second-half performance. They reduced the deficit through a penalty from Richard Macadie – taking his goal tally for the club to 202 – and pushed hard for an equaliser, but Locos held on.
Manson said: “It was a terrible refereeing decision that led to their first goal, then Harry Hennem should have scored to make it one each before they scored their second.
“At half-time it wasn't all doom and gloom – it was quite clear what we had to do to improve in the second half, so we went over that at half-time. To be fair, the boys took on the instructions to a T and the second half was brilliant.
“There's not many teams that will batter Inverurie for 45 minutes as much as we just did there, but on the flip side of that we've come away with nothing.
“I said to the boys at the end, 'you can hold your heads up high when you walk out of this changing room'. We absolutely dominated a team for 45 minutes, we haven't got what we deserved from that game.
“We had nine guys missing today, including the long-term boys. That group inside that changing room, I'm really proud of them.
“Yes, we've got nothing to show for it at the end of the game. But the way they conducted themselves in that second half, and carried out exactly what I was after at half-time, it's a real credit to them and it gives me decisions to make going forward.
“Overall I'm really proud of the guys and their effort in the second half.”
It was Academy's second defeat in four days, following the 4-2 loss at Forres in midweek, and they have dropped to 14th in the table.
Inverurie manager Richard Hastings said: “At half-time we knew that the third goal would be a crucial one, whichever way it went. We just seemed to get pinned back and then obviously they get a penalty and before you know it you are holding on to a degree and trying to manage the game a bit better.
“We didn't maximise the opportunities that we got at the other end.
“I think this season you'll see a lot of dog-eat-dog and there are no easy places to go.
"We knew it would be a tough game and we hadn't won in a while. We made hard work of it, but credit to Wick as well for making it hard.
“The most important thing today for the players, management and staff was to get a win."
Wick Academy players were adamant they should have been awarded a penalty as they chased an equaliser in the closing stages of Saturday's game against Inverurie Locos at Harmsworth Park.
The Scorries had got themselves back into the match with a spot-kick by Richard Macadie midway through the second half and there were claims for a second penalty when the ball struck the outstretched left arm of Inverurie defender Mark Souter after Mark Macadie rose to meet a cross.
Referee Billy Baxter saw nothing amiss, though.
Wick player/manager Gary Manson, who was on the field, said: “I didn't see it, but by all accounts he moved his arm towards the ball.”
Inverurie manager Richard Hastings saw it differently.
He said: “The boy has either flicked it on or he's missed it and our defender is there – he's not moved his arm towards the ball. I think it would have been harsh if it was given.”
The visitors went ahead on 21 minutes. After a quickly taken free kick, Robert Ward played the ball across the face of goal to give Garry Wood a simple finish.
Harry Hennem had an opportunity to get Academy back on level terms when he latched onto a through ball on the edge of the box but he lifted his shot over the bar.
Locos doubled their lead after 26 minutes when Jay Halliday created a yard of space for himself in the middle of the penalty area and slammed a low drive beyond Graeme Williamson.
Sean Campbell came close at the other end with a curling shot that was beaten away by Inverurie keeper Andy Reid.
Cameron Montgomery had been handed his first start for Wick but the winger had to go off late in the first half after pulling up with a hamstring injury.
Inverurie came close to extending their lead early in the second half when a powerful effort by Nathan Meres clattered off the underside of the bar.
The Scorries were starting to dictate the play, however, and were posing an increasing threat. They were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute when substitute Mark Munro was pushed over as he raced through on the left, and Richard Macadie sent Reid the wrong way from the spot.
Reid got down to keep out a long-range drive from Ryan Campbell, and the midfielder had another half-chance when he got on the end of a cross in the centre of the box only to knock the ball over the top.
Academy kept pressing until the end and Hennem had a shot saved at close range.
Wick Academy: Williamson, Hughes, Manson, R Allan, Anderson (Mackay 86), R Campbell, Montgomery (M Munro 39), S Campbell, Hennem, R Macadie, M Macadie. Subs not used: Aitkenhead, More.
Inverurie Locos: A Reid, T Reid, Mitchell (Gill 32), Dingwall, Souter, Johnstone, Ward, Wood (Alberts 71), Halliday, Meres, Robertson (Thain 46). Subs not used: Michie, Petermann, Farquhar.
Referee: Billy Baxter.
Leaders Brechin City moved three points clear at the top of the Highland League after their 3-0 win at Brora. Fraser MacLeod, Marc Scott and Grady McGrath got the goals.
Highland League results from Saturday: Brora Rangers 0, Brechin City 3; Buckie Thistle 2, Banks O' Dee 2; Deveronvale 0, Rothes 1; Formartine United 2, Forres Mechanics 0; Fraserburgh 5, Clachnacuddin 0; Huntly 3, Nairn County 1; Keith 6, Strathspey Thistle 1; Turriff United 1, Lossiemouth 2; Wick Academy 1, Inverurie Locos 2.
Fixtures – Friday: Banks O' Dee v Fraserburgh. Saturday: Brechin City v Keith; Clachnacuddin v Lossiemouth; Forres Mechanics v Deveronvale; Inverurie Locos v Huntly; Nairn County v Brora Rangers; Rothes v Buckie Thistle; Strathspey Thistle v Turriff United; Wick Academy v Formartine United.