We let ourselves down in semi-final, says Wick Academy boss Tom McKenna
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Manager Tom McKenna admitted that Wick Academy paid the price for a poor first-half display as their Highland League Cup run came to an end at Cove’s Balmoral Stadium on Saturday.
Cove took charge of the semi-final with goals from Mitch Megginson and Jamie Masson shortly after the half-hour mark, with Megginson adding another five minutes into the second period.
Sam Mackay quickly pulled one back and the Scorries created further chances but ultimately they had left themselves with too much to do as Cove held on for a 3-1 win.
“I think we let ourselves down,” McKenna said. “We’ve set high standards for ourselves and people know the standard of football that the boys can play.
“We just didn’t impose ourselves on the game as much as we could have done and should have done.
“You can’t take anything away from Cove Rangers – they’re league champions, league leaders, they’ve got big ambitions to move forward, and they’re a very good footballing team.
“But from our own point of view we could have done better in the first half. We just couldn’t settle on the ball, our retention of the ball was poor and we didn’t cause much of a threat. That’s obviously down to Cove Rangers as well.
“I made a couple of changes at half-time. I thought I had guys on the bench who could give us a wee bit of freshness and we were a lot more effective in the second half. We pressed them better in the central areas of the park."
McKenna had told his players during the break that the next goal would be crucial, and if Academy could cut the deficit to 2-1 it would be game on.
“Unfortunately they scored a third and at 3-0 down it was a massive ask for the team to come back from that,” he said.
“But the boys never stopped working and we harassed them a lot better. We were pushing forward and we were threatening more. It’s that old saying – too little, too late.
“Sam scored the goal and we were in the ascendancy. They were still comfortable on the ball and still a threat but we asked a lot more questions and we created a couple of great chances.
“All in all, Cove deserved to win, but from our own point of view it was a game of two halves – a disappointing first half and a much improved second half. I think if we had started in that vein it would have been a lot closer.
“We knew it was a difficult task going into the game but you’ve got to go there with confidence and self-belief and try to put a good show and don’t come away with any regrets.
“We probably have one or two regrets about the manner of the first half, but we did what we could.”
McKenna had a special word for the fans who turned out in good numbers for the club’s first visit to Balmoral Stadium.
“I must congratulate the Wick support – it was absolutely fantastic. A lot of people took the time out to travel so I couldn’t fault that.”
