Performance levels 'miles better now' as Wick Academy see off Buckie Thistle
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Manager Gary Manson hailed Wick Academy's "formidable" home form after they produced another spirited display to put a serious dent in Buckie Thistle's Highland League title hopes.
The Scorries' 3-1 success in blustery conditions on Saturday extended their unbeaten run at Harmsworth Park to six games.
Marc Macgregor opened the scoring on 13 minutes when he took possession on the edge of the penalty area, turned a defender and dispatched a perfectly placed shot beyond the diving Tom Ritchie.
Kyle Henderson doubled the lead after 23 minutes when he took advantage of the wind blowing up the park by swinging in a corner from the right which flew into the net at the far post without anyone getting a touch.
Macgregor made the points safe on 86 minutes with another clinical finish after an effort by Ryan Campbell had been blocked by the keeper. Macgregor seized on the loose ball, twisted and fired it into the far corner.
Buckie pulled one back a minute later when Jack Murray swept in a low shot from the edge of the box, with Graeme Williamson possibly unsighted because of the number of players in front of him.
Manson said: "I thought the second half was just going to be one-way traffic, camped in our own 18-yard box. The wind obviously played a big part in the game but we managed it better than they did, I thought.
"I said to the players at half-time, we've got boys that can hit them on the counter with pace and power to run with the ball, and it worked perfectly.
"If you could write a script for a game against Buckie at home, that would probably be it. We're more than happy."
Academy defended doggedly and looked dangerous when they broke forward. Supporters could not fail to be impressed by the team's work ethic and fitness levels.
"We've had that all season in spades,"Manson said. "It's just that the new boys that came into the squad weren't used to the level, they didn't know what it took to win games, basically, but they've found it and at home we're formidable.
"At the moment we're a match for anyone and we have a big game again next week [at home to Brechin City] so we'll see what that brings.
"Since the turn of the year we've been looking really good. Even in the games that we've been beaten, we've competed a lot, lot better than we did at the start of the season.
"The performance levels are miles better now and we're picking up points. Long may it continue."
Manager Graeme Stewart insisted Buckie Thistle will keep fighting for the Highland League title despite Saturday's setback at Wick.
The Jags' 3-1 defeat at Harmsworth Park leaves them 10 points behind Brechin City with two games in hand ahead of the leaders' visit to Victoria Park on Wednesday night.
Stewart said: "I think we played quite well in the first half. We didn't take our chances and we gave away two really poor goals from our point of view.
"Sam Morrison is a top player but he made a mistake for their first goal and then an inswinging corner, the keeper has got to do better – so two mistakes. I think we dominated the first half.
"In the second half we lacked composure and I had a wee bit of a go at them about that. We were trying to force things. I changed the shape two or three times.
"I think that on another day you play that game, we win it maybe seven or eight times out of ten. That's just me being honest.
"The games are catching up on us and we've got a few injuries. There are loads of reasons – I'm not giving excuses.
"If we win all our games then I'll be very surprised if we don't win the league. The boys have given me everything.
"Although Brechin are not playing Saturday/Wednesday like we are, unfortunately, I think we've still got a realistic chance if we win all our games, which is a big ask.
"We're not giving up. We're going to be fighting all the way and hopefully that starts on Wednesday."
Rival managers Gary Manson and Graeme Stewart were in agreement about the finishing ability of Wick Academy's two-goal striker Marc Macgregor.
"When he's on his game, Marc is a handful," Manson said after the Scorries' 3-1 victory over Buckie Thistle at Harmsworth Park.
"He's a big lad, and as you could see from his two goals he can finish as well.
"He's a top Highland League striker and we're just happy that he's bang in form now.
"He went from about November to February not scoring but he's now got four in his last three games."
Buckie boss Stewart said: "I like him. He's a really good Highland League striker.
"He is quality. He created a chance out of nothing [for the first goal]. It was a fantastic turn."
Manson also praised the other Wick goalscorer, Kyle Henderson, who found the net directly from a corner. He had come close with another flag-kick seconds before that.
"The goalkeeper got a kind of warning just before that when he almost got caught out at the front post," Manson said. "But then Kyle just stuck it in the back post.
"Kyle is doing really well considering it's his first season and the positive thing is I think there's even more to come from him."
Brechin City kept up their title charge with a 5-1 win against Turriff United at Glebe Park. Danny Handling got a hat-trick for the leaders, including one from the penalty spot.
Robbie Foster's first-half goal was enough to give Huntly a 1-0 victory over Brora Rangers at Christie Park.
Keith won 2-1 at Inverurie so the Maroons remain a point above Wick.
Bottom club Strathspey Thistle made it back-to-back wins as they beat Clachnacuddin at home.
Highland League results: Brechin City 5, Turriff United 1; Formartine United 1, Banks O' Dee 4; Forres Mechanics 0, Nairn County 0; Fraserburgh 5, Rothes 0; Huntly 1, Brora Rangers 0; Inverurie Locos 1, Keith 2; Lossiemouth 3, Deveronvale 3; Strathspey Thistle 2, Clachnacuddin 1; Wick Academy 3, Buckie Thistle 1.
Fixtures – Wednesday, March 27 – Highland League: Buckie Thistle v Brechin City.
Saturday, March 30 – Highland League: Clachnacuddin v Banks O' Dee; Deveronvale v Buckie Thistle; Forres Mechanics v Formartine United; Keith v Huntly; Strathspey Thistle v Nairn County; Turriff United v Lossiemouth; Wick Academy v Brechin City (2pm).
Highland League Cup final: Brora Rangers v Fraserburgh (at Harlaw Park, Inverurie).
