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‘Results will change’ for Wick Academy after seventh defeat in a row





A run by Davie Allan is halted by the outstretched leg of Buckie Thistle's Joe McCabe. Picture: Mel Roger
A run by Davie Allan is halted by the outstretched leg of Buckie Thistle's Joe McCabe. Picture: Mel Roger

Manager Gary Manson is adamant that “results will change” for Wick Academy if they keep performing as they have done in recent games.

Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Highland League champions Buckie Thistle at Harmsworth Park brought the Scorries’ run of defeats to seven in all competitions.

Academy remain 15th in the table, while the Jags are up to sixth.

Manson believes his players are not getting the rewards they deserve.

“I said to the boys after the game, I sound like a broken record – they’ll be sick of hearing me,” he said. “Goals win games, obviously, but there wasn’t much between the teams apart from that.

“It was quite even, it was quite nip and tuck, there weren’t many chances in the game. We managed to create a couple, we just didn’t take them, and that was the difference.”

A closely contested first half looked likely to end goalless until Joe McCabe sent a flashing header into the net from a Jack MacIver corner with 43 minutes gone.

McCabe struck again seven minutes into the second period and this time there was more than a touch of fortune about the goal. The defender launched a dipping cross from wide on the right which flew over Wick goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher and landed in the far corner of the net.

Substitute Liam Harvey added a third for Buckie deep in stoppage time with a close-range finish.

“I think it was definitely an unfair scoreline,” Manson said. “They scored with about 30 seconds to go in the first half with a free header, they scored from a cross in the second half and then with the last kick of the ball.

“In between all that, there was nothing in the game. Their second was a freak goal and it took the wind out of our sails a little bit.

“There was next to nothing between the two teams in that game but we still walk away with no points. It’s unfortunate. The boys are putting a hell of a lot of effort in and getting no rewards for it at the moment.”

Wick Academy goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher gets out quickly to block Aaron Nicolson of Buckie Thistle. Picture: Mel Roger
Wick Academy goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher gets out quickly to block Aaron Nicolson of Buckie Thistle. Picture: Mel Roger

Academy have no game this weekend. Their next fixture is at home to Clachnacuddin on January 11.

Manson said: “If the boys keep performing like that, results will change. It’s just a matter of time, really, but you can’t afford to let their heads drop.

“No-one likes getting beaten, and we’re getting beaten regularly at the moment. We just need to change that.

“We need to bounce back in two weeks’ time at home to Clach.”

George Ewing linked up well with Marc Macgregor up front. Academy’s best chance of the game came early on when the Orkney-based teenager delivered a defence-spitting pass into Macgregor’s path, but the striker’s shot drifted just wide of the far post.

“George is a really good player,” Manson said. “He’s not long turned 17 but you wouldn’t know it in his performances.

“He’s been tearing up the under-18 league and in the second half of the season we’ll see him a lot more.”

Another young Orcadian prospect, Louis Hancock, came off the bench in the second half.

“He has been playing really well for the under-18s and showing a great attitude, and that’s why he was involved,” Manson said.

Saturday’s result means that for the first time since they entered the Highland League in 1994 the Scorries have gone through the whole of September, October, November and December without picking up a single point at home.

They won their first two home games this season, against Fraserburgh (July 27) and Strathspey Thistle (August 7), but have lost all eight league matches at Harmsworth Park since then.

Gordon MacNab (Wick Academy) and Sam Pugh (Buckie Thistle) in a race for the ball. Picture: Mel Roger
Gordon MacNab (Wick Academy) and Sam Pugh (Buckie Thistle) in a race for the ball. Picture: Mel Roger

There was no movement in the Highland League basement area after Saturday’s matches, with Lossiemouth and Rothes – the two teams immediately below 15th-placed Wick Academy – both losing, while bottom club Strathspey Thistle didn’t have a game.

Lossiemouth kept Brora Rangers at bay in a goalless first half at Dudgeon Park. However, the Cattachs took control after the break and ran out 5-0 winners with goals from Tom Kelly, Tony Dingwall, Craig Mackenzie, Connor Bunce and Andrew MacLeod (penalty).

Rothes remain second from bottom after going down 4-1 at home to Nairn County. Ben Barron and Matthew Wright each grabbed a double for County, with Tom Brady netting for the Speysiders.

Dayle Robertson hit a hat-trick for leaders Brechin in their 5-1 victory over Huntly at Christie Park. Ewan Loudon and Fraser MacLeod got the others for City, with Angus Grant scoring for Huntly before having a penalty saved.

Brechin remain two points clear of second-placed Brora.

Reece McKeown’s second-half goal was enough to give Turriff United a 1-0 victory over Keith at The Haughs, while Fraserburgh won 3-2 at home to Clachnacuddin.

Wick Academy striker Marc Macgregor goes past Darryl McHardy of Buckie Thistle. Picture: Mel Roger
Wick Academy striker Marc Macgregor goes past Darryl McHardy of Buckie Thistle. Picture: Mel Roger

Highland League results: Brora Rangers 5, Lossiemouth 0; Fraserburgh 3, Clachnacuddin 2; Huntly 1, Brechin City 5; Inverurie Locos 0, Banks O’ Dee 0; Rothes 1, Nairn County 4; Turriff United 1, Keith 0; Wick Academy 0, Buckie Thistle 3.

Highland League fixtures – Saturday, January 4: Banks O’ Dee v Fraserburgh; Buckie Thistle v Deveronvale; Clachnacuddin v Huntly; Formartine United v Strathspey Thistle; Inverurie Locos v Rothes; Keith v Brora Rangers; Lossiemouth v Forres Mechanics; Nairn County v Turriff United.

Saturday, January 11: Brora Rangers v Nairn County; Deveronvale v Brechin City; Formartine United v Lossiemouth; Forres Mechanics v Keith; Fraserburgh v Rothes; Huntly v Banks O’ Dee; Strathspey Thistle v Buckie Thistle; Turriff United v Inverurie Locos; Wick Academy v Clachnacuddin (3pm).


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