Player of the year Harrold says Wick focus will be on improving away results
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Improved results on the road will be a key aim for Wick Academy next season, according to Owen Harrold.
The 28-year-old defender was named as the supporters’ player of the year at the end of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Banks O’ Dee – the Scorries’ last home game of the Highland League campaign.
Academy won eight, drew five and lost only four of their 17 league fixtures at Harmsworth Park in 2023/24, but on their travels they have managed only one win and one draw together with 13 defeats.
Their last two away matches are against Brora Rangers in midweek and Keith on Saturday, April 27.
“It showed how hard we’re working behind the scenes,” Harrold said after receiving the George Munro Memorial Cup for supporters' player of the year in his first season at Academy.
“It’s the work that we do on a Tuesday and Thursday that replicates onto the park on a Saturday and we’re reaping the rewards.
“We now just need to turn the home record into the away record, because the away record has been pretty poor. If we can turn that around and just keep climbing up the table then hopefully we’ll have a better season next year.”
Harrold added: “If you play good football then you get the crowds back. Crowds are building each week so hopefully we can kick on again next season.”
He was presented with the trophy by George Munro's great-grandson Danny Gow.
Harrold will again be managing Wick Thistle in the summer league and cup competitions.
Buckie Thistle secured the Highland League title for the first time in seven years with a 1-0 victory against Moray rivals Keith in front of a bumper crowd at Victoria Park.
Max Barry’s eighth-minute goal was enough to see Graeme Stewart’s side over the line. Brechin City’s 2-1 win against Brora Rangers at Golspie meant the Hedgemen missed out on the title on goal difference.
Buckie won six matches in 13 days in a hectic run-in. The title is the 12th in the Jags’ Highland League history.
Third-placed Fraserburgh, who had an outside chance of being champions going into the last day, romped to an 11-0 victory at home to bottom side Strathspey Thistle.
Highland League results: Brora Rangers 1, Brechin City 2; Buckie Thistle 1, Keith 0; Clachnacuddin 2, Lossiemouth 0; Deveronvale 0, Formartine United 3; Forres Mechanics 1, Turriff United 0; Fraserburgh 11, Strathspey Thistle 0; Wick Academy 1, Banks O’ Dee 1.
Fixtures – Wednesday, April 24: Brora Rangers v Wick Academy (8pm, Golspie).
Saturday, April 27: Brora Rangers v Turriff United; Keith v Wick Academy (3pm).
