Plenty to be positive about after testimonial win, says Wick Academy manager
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Manager Gary Manson felt there was plenty to be positive about after Wick Academy's first pre-season match brought a 3-2 win against a Caithness AFA select on Saturday.
The game was the main event in a day of football at Castletown's Back Park as part of the testimonial season for the Scorries' club captain Alan Farquhar.
Jack Henry gave Wick an early lead but they soon found themselves 2-1 down after headed goals by Ryan Sutherland and Steven Anderson for the county select. Jack Halliday levelled and Gordon MacNab struck the winner, with all the goals coming in the first half.
Manson said: "It's our first pre-season game, our first game of any note for probably 11 weeks.
"We were a little bit shot-shy at times. We could have taken more shots on and probably scored more goals.
"As an exercise it has given us things to think about and to work on. There's lots to be positive about."
Trialists James Mackintosh and Aidan Miller were among those who came off the bench for Academy in the second half.
Manson pointed out: "We've got seven boys that are training with us that are missing here today.
"James has been training with us all pre-season so we'll just see how he goes. Aidan has not long turned 17, and he is quite slight, but he loves to put himself about."
Farquhar, who is working his way back to fitness after a serious knee injury, played for 77 minutes and came off to a big round of applause.
Manson was full of praise for Farquhar's defensive qualities.
"His greatest strength, I would say, is reading the game," Manson said. "He's not a massive 6ft 4 dominant centre-half that'll win every header and win every tackle, but he reads the game really well.
"Alan has been a very, very good player over the years and hopefully he will continue to be this season as well. Hopefully he gets his injury problems behind him and he can kick on and have a good season."
The day had begun with a tournament for under-eights, followed by a match between Academy and Caithness veterans which ended 1-1.
Farquhar thanked his testimonial committee and the players who took part, as well as Castletown for providing the venue.
Caithness AFA select co-manager Owen Harrold felt that a draw would have been a fair result in Saturday's game against Wick Academy in Castletown.
The Wick Thistle player/boss took charge of the county squad along with Staxigoe United manager Colin Sinclair.
The select recovered from the loss of an early goal to go 2-1 up with 12 minutes gone, but their Highland League opponents recovered to run out 3-2 winners.
Harrold said: "We played well. We had a good shape from the start and every single one of us put a shift in – that's how we got our goals in the first half.
"The second half was more about them passing the ball about. I have to say, hats off to the boys that came in – they probably deserved a draw.
"We did have chances in that second half. But well done to the boys."
Harrold was pleased to have played a part in Alan Farquhar's testimonial events.
"He has had some career and that's what he deserved," Harrold said. "They got a good crowd for it."
Jack Henry put the Scorries ahead on five minutes with a shot from the edge of the box. Ryan Sutherland equalised two minutes later with a towering header and ex-Academy striker Steven Anderson nodded in a second goal for the select after 12 minutes.
Jack Halliday levelled on the half-hour mark when he lashed the ball in from close range, and Gordon MacNab finished off a sweeping move on 40 minutes to put Academy 3-2 up.
Anderson went off in the first half after being injured in a challenge by his namesake Joe.
Caithness AFA select: Leo Shearer, Danny Coghill, Ryan Sutherland, James McLean, Innes Mackintosh, Grant Budge, Greg Shearer, Marc Coghill, Kuba Koziol, Steven Anderson, Aaron Wilson. Subs: Asa Sinclair, Owen Harrold, Allan Munro, Alan Mathieson, Lewis Shepherd, Sam Barclay.
Wick Academy: Graeme Williamson, Alan Hughes, Ross Allan, Alan Farquhar, Joe Anderson, Jack Henry, Ryan Campbell, Jack Halliday, Gordon MacNab, Richard Macadie, Mark Macadie. Subs (used): Liam Bain, William Cannop, James Mackintosh, Aidan Miller.
