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‘Our guys never had a second on the ball’: Manson admits Scorries were well beaten





Davie Allan wriggles his way past Brechin City pair Seth Patrick and Euan Spark. Picture: Mel Roger
Davie Allan wriggles his way past Brechin City pair Seth Patrick and Euan Spark. Picture: Mel Roger

Manager Gary Manson admitted Wick Academy had come up against a superior team after Brechin City won 4-1 at Harmsworth Park on Saturday to go top of the Highland League.

Most of the damage was done in the first half, with the Angus side having a three-goal lead at the break. Gordon MacNab reduced the deficit midway through the second period but Brechin striker Dayle Robertson had the final say as he completed his hat-trick.

Manson acknowledged the visitors had been dominant.

“Yes, they are all good players, they’re all technical, they can handle the ball, there is an abundance of quality in their team,” he said.

“But it was the will and the desire and the hunger to go and hunt the ball down, and not give our guys an easy ride, that’s what stood out to me.

“They showed how hungry they were to put our guys under pressure – our guys never had a second on the ball.

“Near the end, maybe, they had a bit more time on it, but in the first half Brechin were all over us like a rash and it was difficult for our players. You hold your hands up when you’re well beaten and we were well beaten by a superior team, so we’ll take it on the chin.

“The second half was how I wanted the whole game to pan out. It was about sitting in, soaking up pressure, not conceding too many chances, and then trying to hit them on the counter.

“The second half finished one-all. Maybe they took their foot off the gas, which is quite possible, but I thought we defended reasonably well and we limited them to very few chances.

“They had all the possession, don’t get me wrong, but that’s how I wanted the game to look – soak up pressure, hit them on the counter and then take our chances when they arrive.

“Gordy’s goal was good but we just didn’t create enough chances.”

Goalkeeper Jayden Reid was brought in on loan from Ross County as Graeme Williamson, James More and Lewis Gallacher were all unavailable.

Brechin opened the scoring after nine minutes when Robertson headed in from close range after a deflected cross from Ewan Loudon.

They doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Kevin McHattie swept home an unstoppable shot from outside the box.

Three minutes later the visitors added a third after Reid was adjudged to have brought down Euan Spark. Robertson scored from the spot.

Academy rarely threatened but they pulled one back after 68 minutes when Gordon MacNab burst through the middle, held off a challenge and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Lenny Wilson.

Ten minutes later Robertson completed his treble when he sneaked in to get on the end of a deep cross from Brad McKay and knocked the ball over the line.

Manson felt the Brechin striker had elbowed it in.

A push in the back for Wick Academy's Ross Gunn from Brechin City's John Moreland. Picture: Mel Roger
A push in the back for Wick Academy's Ross Gunn from Brechin City's John Moreland. Picture: Mel Roger

Brechin City manager Patrick Cregg said: “All credit to the players. They played at a high tempo and they were a joy to watch at times.

“You could see from their swagger that they were enjoying themselves, which is what it’s all about.

“The players were extremely annoyed to lose a goal when they were so much on top but all credit to them to come right back with Dayle Robertson getting his hat-trick.

“Dayle is such an important player for us. He scores goals and leads the line really well so I’m delighted for him.”

Keith produced a stunning 3-2 win away to Brora Rangers, who had won every fixture so far this season. The Maroons’ hero was striker Ryan Park, signed on loan from Inverurie Locos and a double scorer on his debut.

Highland League results: Brora Rangers 2, Keith 3; Deveronvale 1, Buckie Thistle 7; Forres Mechanics 3, Lossiemouth 2; Fraserburgh 1, Banks O’ Dee 0; Huntly 1, Clachnacuddin 2; Rothes 0, Inverurie Locos 4; Strathspey Thistle 0, Formartine United 4; Turriff United 0, Nairn County 2; Wick Academy 1, Brechin City 4.

Highland League fixtures – Wednesday, August 28: Banks O’ Dee v Huntly; Brechin City v Deveronvale; Buckie Thistle v Strathspey Thistle; Clachnacuddin v Wick Academy; Inverurie Locos v Turriff United; Keith v Forres Mechanics; Lossiemouth v Formartine United (all 8pm).

Saturday, August 31: Brora Rangers v Inverurie Locos; Buckie Thistle v Brechin City; Deveronvale v Clachnacuddin; Formartine United v Keith; Forres Mechanics v Nairn County; Huntly v Rothes; v Strathspey Thistle v Lossiemouth; Turriff United v Fraserburgh; Wick Academy v Banks O’ Dee (all 3pm).


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