Sometimes you need to grind it out, says Anderson as Groats edge Wick derby
Wick Groats manager Kevin Anderson admitted there was a lack of quality in their derby victory over Thistle – but emphasised it is a hallmark of successful teams that they can grind out results even when not at their best.
The champions made it maximum points from their opening four fixtures in Caithness AFA Division One when a second-half strike from Korbyn Cameron secured a 1-0 win at a breezy Upper Bignold on Monday night.
“We never got going in the first half," Anderson said. "To be honest, neither team really created many chances.
“I don't think you could fault the effort from both teams in the first half but there was certainly a lack of quality. It was very scrappy – the wind spoiled it to a degree.
"Derbies can quite often go like that."
The key moment came when Cameron got on the end of a cross from substitute Sean Stewart.
Cameron thought he had opened the scoring in the first period only for a late offside decision to go against him.
Initially it appeared the goal had been given, and Anderson found it “bizarre” that it was then disallowed. “I couldn't understand it,” he said.
Anderson has been impressed by the work done so far by Thistle manager Owen Harrold.
"They've got a couple of guys in from Staxigoe from last season, they take a couple of guys up the road from Golspie, so Owen has got the basis of a really good team there," Anderson said.
"I think they will certainly take a lot of points off teams this season. They are a well-drilled team."
He added: "At the end of the day, if you can keep a clean sheet you've half a chance of winning any game. Clean sheet, goal, three points, derby... it was always going to be a tough game.
"We're still waiting for a few boys coming back as well.
"We're not firing on all cylinders but we're getting the three points and that's what it's all about – that's what good teams do as well. Sometimes you need to grind it out and just make sure you're winning games when you need to."
Thistle's Danny Coghill was sent off in the closing stages.
Harrold said: “We are disappointed with the result. There wasn’t really much in it, to be fair.
“Both teams had some good chances. Groats' experience and attitude probably won them the game in the end.
“We are a young team and we are still trying to find our feet a bit, but there are definitely positives to take from the game. Going down to 10 men again in the last 10 minutes didn’t help.”
