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Wick Academy hit by 'perfect storm' in 8-0 hammering against Clachnacuddin





Harry Nicolson slots in Clachnacuddin's opening goal against Wick Academy. Picture: Callum Mackay
Harry Nicolson slots in Clachnacuddin's opening goal against Wick Academy. Picture: Callum Mackay

Manager Gary Manson is determined to ensure Wick Academy never suffer a repeat of Saturday's 8-0 hammering at the hands of Clachnacuddin in the Highland League.

Describing it as an abject performance, Manson admitted that Clach looked hungrier than the under-strength Scorries. As they analyse what went wrong at Grant Street Park, the immediate priority will be a drastic improvement when Rothes visit Harmsworth Park this weekend.

The clinical Lilywhites scored four times in each half on Saturday. Harry Nicolson gave them an early lead, with further goals from Harry Hennem, Troy Cooper and Lewis Mackenzie before the break.

Mackenzie went on to complete a treble, with Cooper and Hennem also on target again.

Clachnacuddin's Keith Mason keeps close to Wick striker Marc Macgregor. Picture: Callum Mackay
Clachnacuddin's Keith Mason keeps close to Wick striker Marc Macgregor. Picture: Callum Mackay

"It was the perfect storm," Manson conceded. "We were missing nine players, which doesn't help, and out of those nine you're looking at some quite significant players missing.

"I'm not looking for excuses but we only had one game in that period between November 25 [the 0-0 draw away to Deveronvale on December 16] and the game on Saturday.

"Clach seemed to be hungrier, they seemed to want it more than us, which is obviously not what you're looking for. It seemed that everything they hit at goal went in. They were clinical on the day.

"We had five or 10 minutes after the half-time break where we were well on top and their goalie made about four really good saves. But apart from that, every time they went forward it looked like they were going to score.

"I think they just had one of those days that everything they hit went in. They just looked hungrier for it and they wanted to win more than us, which is not good to see."

Clach's Troy Cooper is challenged by Wick midfielder Marc Coghill. Picture: Callum Mackay
Clach's Troy Cooper is challenged by Wick midfielder Marc Coghill. Picture: Callum Mackay

Clach had to wait until December 16 to record their first league win of the season. They appointed Conor Gethins as manager in October, replacing Jordan MacDonald.

Both teams remain in the bottom four. Clach are now level on points with Wick, who have played four games fewer and have a slightly better goal difference.

"You certainly don't expect to get beaten by that margin by any team, let alone a team below you," Manson said. "It was hard to watch. It kind of spoiled my New Year and my Hogmanay."

The result also put a damper on a landmark birthday for Manson. He turned 40 on Friday, with the birthday celebrations delayed until after Saturday's trip to Inverness.

The manager added: "I said to the boys after the game we'll dissect it at training. After the game wasn't the time and place to do it.

"We'll go over it in detail at training and hopefully ensure that sort of thing doesn't happen again. We've got a home game to look forward to at the weekend."

It was Academy's heaviest defeat to Clach since joining the Highland League in 1994. The Scorries had twice conceded seven against the Lilywhites, in a league fixture in October 1998 (7-1) and in a Highland League Cup tie in April 1999 (7-0), both at Grant Street Park.

Wick Academy's Sean Campbell and Clach's Troy Cooper. Picture: Callum Mackay
Wick Academy's Sean Campbell and Clach's Troy Cooper. Picture: Callum Mackay

Highland League results: Clachnacuddin 8, Wick Academy 0; Forres Mechanics 1, Buckie Thistle 8; Fraserburgh 3, Keith 0; Lossiemouth 1, Huntly 3; Rothes 0, Nairn County 3.

Fixtures for Saturday, January 6: Brora Rangers v Lossiemouth; Buckie Thistle v Formartine United; Clachnacuddin v Turriff United; Deveronvale v Fraserburgh; Huntly v Inverurie Locos; Keith v Forres Mechanics; Nairn County v Brechin City; Wick Academy v Rothes (3pm).


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