Orkney teenager Ewing happy to be playing his part at Wick Academy
George Ewing is thrilled to see so many of Wick Academy’s young players being given the chance to shine at Highland League level.
The 17-year-old from Orkney has been a prolific scorer for the Scorries’ table-topping under-18 side and he got his first goal for the senior team at Harmsworth Park on Saturday.
His strike, a curling shot from outside the penalty box, broke the deadlock against Rothes and Academy went on to secure a much-needed 4-0 victory.
Ewing was able to play after staying one step ahead of Storm Éowyn. With ferry cancellations imminent for Saturday morning, he travelled over on Friday.
He also played – and scored – for the under-18s on Sunday as the young Scorries maintained their 100 per cent record in SHFL Under 18 North by beating their Nairn counterparts 5-2 in Thurso.
Academy remain 16th in the Highland League but Saturday’s result allowed them to open up a six-point gap over second-bottom Rothes. It ended a run of eight defeats in all competitions.
“We know we’ve had a tough run of games so it’s really good to get a good win against one of the teams in and around us,” Ewing said.
“It was a big result for us. As for the goal, it has been a long time coming – I saw the keeper off his line.
“I’m happy to have played my part in it but it was a team result.”
Ewing, who signed a two-year deal in the summer, was one of seven teenagers who featured for Academy on Saturday.
He and Matthew Robertson were in the starting line-up, Matthew Aitkenhead and Euan Kennedy came on with about 20 minutes to go and a triple substitution in the closing stages brought debuts for Arran Bain, Owen Bain and Jayden Bremner.
“It’s brilliant to see that,” Ewing said. “We’re obviously doing really well in the under-18s, and that is shown by having maximum points, but it’s good to get that recognition in the first team.
“It’s not just the boys who played today, there are several good boys in the squad.”
Kennedy, who is on loan from Ross County, also scored his first Highland League goal on Saturday. He added the fourth, in stoppage time.
Ewing lives at Holm and is in his sixth year at Kirkwall Grammar School. He says he is 100 per cent committed to playing for Academy despite all the road journeys and ferry crossings.
“It’s all worth it, for games like this,” he said.
He is one of three Orkney-based players in the Wick squad, along with Owen Rendall and Callan Jessiman.
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