Second-half comeback earns first away win of season for young Scorries

Wick Academy's under-18s produced arguably their best display of the season in a stunning second-half turnaround at Keith, emerging as 3-2 winners having trailed by two goals at the interval, writes Steven Hughes.

The visitors had it all to do after a poor first half in which Keith pressed high, making it difficult for Academy to play out. The home side went 2-0 up thanks to two very similar goals, both coming from looping crosses from the right-hand side which the Wick defence struggled to contend with.

Coach Scott Bremner rang the changes at the interval, gambling on the switch from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Half-time substitute Morgan Kennedy rattled the bar from 20 yards and soon after Kian Mackay fired home a rebound to give Academy a lifeline. The equaliser came when Kennedy found himself free at the back post to tap home after good work by Scott Durrand.

The young Scorries were not done, however, and after a neat turn in the 18-yard box Mackay rattled a shot in the bottom right corner for his second and the team's third.

Wick keeper Cody Smith had to be alert to tip a 40-yard strike away from danger and preserve his side's lead.

Academy held on for their first away victory of the season in SHFL Under-18 North to make amends for the 5-0 defeat at home to Balloan the week before. Their previous outing had brought a 3-2 home success over Inverness Athletic with goals from Josh Sutherland, Matthew Aitkenhead and Scott Durrand.

Bremner said: “I’m very proud of the second-half performance from the boys. The double change we made at half-time and the change of shape helped enhance our chances going forward.

"Getting the early goal boosted the boys' confidence to not just get the equaliser but to go out and win the game.”

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