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Missed opportunities prove costly as Wick Academy remain in bottom three





Gordon MacNab cuts out the ball before it can reach Turriff United's Reece McKeown. Picture: Mel Roger
Gordon MacNab cuts out the ball before it can reach Turriff United's Reece McKeown. Picture: Mel Roger

Wick Academy were left to reflect on missed opportunities after they lost out 3-0 to Turriff United at The Haughs on Saturday.

The Scorries came close on several occasions before the home side struck twice in the last 10 minutes of the first period. Turriff added a third in the closing stages to make it six wins and a draw from their last seven Highland League outings.

Gary Manson’s men had been hoping to build on their encouraging 4-0 home victory over second-bottom Rothes the previous week. However, the defeat means they remain 16th in the table, level on points with Lossiemouth, who also lost at the weekend.

“We could have, and probably should have, been at least 2-0 up in the early stages,” the Wick manager said.

“Kyle Henderson had a really good chance that nine times out of 10 he would have scored. Euan Kennedy had a couple of efforts on goal in the first 10 minutes, and on another day one of them goes in.

Turriff United keeper Lee Herbert saves a shot from Wick Academy midfielder Jack Henry at The Haughs. Picture: Mel Roger
Turriff United keeper Lee Herbert saves a shot from Wick Academy midfielder Jack Henry at The Haughs. Picture: Mel Roger

“Gordon MacNab had a good shot from distance that the goalkeeper did really well to save. We could easily have been at least two up before they scored their first goal.

“Yes, we didn’t score, and we’ve come away with a defeat, but we’re still creating chances.

“I said to the boys after the game, we just need to ensure we’re on the right side of those fine margins in the games to come.

“If one of our chances went in it could have been a different outcome, but ultimately they took their chances and we didn’t.”

Turriff’s Murray Cormack latched onto a loose ball in the penalty box to slam home the opener on 35 minutes.

Reece McKeown doubled the lead six minutes later when he finished off a move down the Turriff right.

The third arrived with two minutes of the 90 remaining when Glen Donald headed the ball in from a corner on the right.

Kick-off was delayed by about 15 minutes because of a travel issue that held back the Academy bus.

On-loan Kennedy was wearing a protective face covering after hurting his nose while playing for Ross County’s under-18s.

Wick Academy's Euan Kennedy tries to get past Liam Strachan of Turriff United. Picture: Mel Roger
Wick Academy's Euan Kennedy tries to get past Liam Strachan of Turriff United. Picture: Mel Roger

Brora Rangers, Wick Academy’s next opponents, were knocked off top spot in the Highland League by title rivals Brechin City.

The Cattachs’ scheduled fixture at Huntly was called off because of a frozen pitch and City took full advantage by picking up a 4-2 win away to Clachnacuddin.

James Anderson hit a double for the Lilywhites, his first goal cancelling out Brad McKay’s opener for Brechin to make it 1-1 at the break.

Brechin’s Dayle Robertson struck the post with a penalty late in the first half but the visitors came good with Lewis Milne and Robertson netting in quick succession early in the second period.

McKay made it 4-1 before Anderson got a consolation.

The result lifted Brechin back to the top of the league, two points ahead of Brora with a game in hand.

Buckie Thistle suffered the 10th defeat of their title defence when they went down 2-0 at Banks O’ Dee. Iain Vigurs and Liam Duell netted for Dee, while Buckie’s Darryl McHardy was red-carded in stoppage time.

Lossiemouth’s Shaun Morrison scored for the third game in a row but the Coasters couldn’t make it three successive wins as they went down 3-1 at Nairn County.

All the goals came in the second half, with Scott Lisle putting Nairn ahead only for Cameron to level 10 minutes later. Andrew Greig won it for County with a double.

Fraserburgh were 3-1 winners at home to Forres Mechanics. Fraser Mackie, Jamie Beagrie and Scott Barbour scored for the Broch, with Shaun Sutherland replying for the Can-Cans.

Jay Halliday’s first-half strike earned Inverurie Locos a 1-0 win against Formartine United at Harlaw Park.

Two other games – Rothes v Deveronvale and Keith v Strathspey Thistle – were postponed because of frozen pitches.

Wick Academy's George Ewing beats Ellis Clark in the air. Picture: Mel Roger
Wick Academy's George Ewing beats Ellis Clark in the air. Picture: Mel Roger

Highland League results: Banks O’ Dee 2, Buckie Thistle 0; Clachnacuddin 2, Brechin City 4; Fraserburgh 3, Forres Mechanics 1; Inverurie Locos 1, Formartine United 0; Nairn County 3, Lossiemouth 1; Turriff United 3, Wick Academy 0.

Highland League fixtures for Saturday, February 8: Brechin City v Banks O’ Dee; Buckie Thistle v Rothes; Deveronvale v Turriff United; Formartine United v Fraserburgh; Forres Mechanics v Huntly; Keith v Nairn County; Lossiemouth v Inverurie Locos; Strathspey Thistle v Clachnacuddin; Wick Academy v Brora Rangers (3pm).

Highland League bottom four: 15 Lossiemouth (played 23, points 16, goal difference -31); 16 Wick Academy (23, 16, goal difference -36); 17 Rothes (21, 10, goal difference -59); 18 Strathspey Thistle (19, 9, goal difference -45).


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