Our young players are quick learners, says Wick assistant boss Hughes
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Assistant manager Richard Hughes has praised Wick Academy’s young guns and tipped them to adapt quickly to life in the Highland League.
He was speaking after the Scorries recovered from the loss of an early goal to thump Lossiemouth 5-1 at Harmsworth Park on Saturday, with five different names on the scoresheet for the home side.
It’s the first time since March that Academy have put together a run of three unbeaten league games, following on from the 2-0 home win against Turriff last weekend and the 2-2 draw at Forres in midweek.
After a difficult start to the campaign, Academy are beginning to reap the benefits of having a bigger squad and greater competition for places – with several key men still working their way back from injury.
New recruits were prominent on Saturday, with Ben Sinclair and Ryan Campbell earning places in the starting XI and with Mark Macadie coming on as a substitute. Grant Aitkenhead and Ross Mackay were also on the bench.
The task is to keep everybody happy and try to get them game time, but I’m sure we’ll manage that.
“All credit to the young boys that came in, as well as the senior players who pulled them through and kept an eye on them,” Hughes said.
“They’ve come through the under-17 ranks over the years and they’ve had their wee spell in the North Caledonian League. It’s new to them, the Highland League – you could see that in bits of the game – but they’re fast learners and they’re quality players and it’s nice to have them on board now.
“It makes the squad much stronger. Once we get the two Jacks back [Henry and Halliday], and Alan Farquhar and Marc Macgregor and Grant Steven, it’s looking good for the future.
“Okay, at the start of the season it didn’t look very positive because the squad was low with all the injuries, but now we’ve got to where we are. Obviously the task is to keep everybody happy and try to get them game time, but I’m sure we’ll manage that.”
Hughes admitted it took a while for Academy to get going after Ryan Stuart put the visitors in front inside five minutes.
Gary Manson’s twice-taken penalty levelled the scores shortly after the midway point of the first half, then Davie Allan put the Scorries in front before turning provider for Craig Gunn to extend the lead just before the break.
The outcome was never in doubt after that, and Gordon MacNab and Richard Macadie added further goals in the second period. Academy also struck the woodwork three times.
“That’s a run of three unbeaten, but to be honest for the first 20 minutes or so we weren’t ourselves and you could see that,” Hughes said. “That was all credit to Lossie – they just came out of the blocks and they came at us. We were a wee bit nervous and they scored.
“We got out of jail with the penalty and we got a break of the ball for the second goal. With the third goal, it changes your talk at half-time.
“I think we were comfortable in the second half and were in control. You’ve always got to be aware that they could get a breakaway and then it’s 3-2 and it’s a different game."
Hughes also paid tribute to the impact Davie Allan has had since returning to the side following the injury he sustained in the North of Scotland Cup tie against Invergordon at the end of July.
“Davie looks like he’s got the bit between his teeth again,” the assistant manager said. “He has been tremendous in the last two games and it’s nice to see him back.”
Jonah Martens and Kuba Koziol have also made good progress after coming into the squad this season. Martens impressed at Forres in midweek, although he sat out the Lossie game, while Koziol was named as sponsors’ man of the match on Saturday.
Scorries storm to victory after early setback
