Title within touching distance but young Scorries are taking nothing for granted
One point from their last match of the season will be enough to secure the SHFL Under 18 North title for Wick Academy, but coach Derek Shearer has insisted: “We’re not taking anything for granted.”
The young Scorries ran out 7-0 winners over Alness at Harmsworth Park at the weekend. This means a draw or a win will confirm them as champions of the 12-team division when they take on seventh-placed Lossiemouth this Sunday, also in Wick.
Academy started well and Jayden Bremner pounced on a mistake to open the scoring in the second minute.
Owen Bain doubled their advantage after eight minutes with a fine finish from 12 yards. The home side continued to press and in the 41st minute Bain’s free kick somehow found its way into the net to make it 3-0 at the interval.
The young Scorries kept their foot on the gas in the second period and George Ewing added the fourth with 50 minutes gone.
John Hooker made it five with a calm finish from close range, Matthew Robertson extended the lead with a left-foot thunderbolt and Ewing completed the scoring in the last minute.
Coach Shearer said: “It was a great performance by the lads. We scored some cracking goals and could have had more.
“We defended very well and it was pleasing to get a clean sheet.
“We now turn our focus to the final game against Lossiemouth where we know what we need to do to win the league.
“We’re in a great position but we’re not taking anything for granted. We’ll prepare for the game and we’ll be ready for the challenge ahead.”
Sunday’s match has a 1pm kick-off at Harmsworth Park.
SHFL Under 18 North: 1 Wick Academy (played 21, points 60; 2 Balloan Thistle (18, 48); 3 Forres Mechanics (20, 46); 4 Inverness Athletic (21, 38); 5 Clachnacuddin (22, 35); 6 Alness United (20, 29); 7 Lossiemouth (20, 21); 8 Dingwall (17, 20); 9 Keith (22, 20); 10 Buckie Thistle (19, 15; 11 Nairn County (21, 11); 12 Rothes (19, 6).