Wick Academy in false position in Highland League, says Huntly manager
Huntly manager Colin Charlesworth believes Wick Academy are in a false position in the bottom four of the Highland League.
The Black-and-Golds have had the upper hand over the Scorries in four matches in as many months this season, culminating on Saturday when Charlesworth’s side won 2-1 at Harmsworth Park.
That completed a league double for Huntly over Academy. They also eliminated Wick from the Scottish Cup – on penalties – and then from the Highland League Cup.
“They’re a good side,” Charlesworth said after his team extended Academy’s losing run at home to seven matches.
“I think their league position is false this season. They play some really good football and today they were a really good attacking threat.
“I don’t think we were at our best but we’ve got a really good knack just now of winning games ugly. It’s a good recipe for getting three points.”
In the build-up to the game, Grant had been described as “the in-form player in the league at the moment” by Wick manager Gary Manson. The 26-year-old forward lived up to his reputation by scoring a goal in each half.
“There’s no point in shying away from it – when he gets himself in those positions, the chances of him scoring are high,” Charlesworth said. “As long as we feed him the ball and we give him service, he’s doing the business just now.
“But we’re not a one-man team and Angus would be the first to tell you that as well. He relies on his team-mates to create these chances for him.
“If Angus is crowded out we’ve got other threats, but today it just happened to be Angus and he got a really good couple of goals.”
After a bright start, Academy fell behind after 11 minutes when a deep cross from the right found its way to the other side of the penalty box and Callum Murray’s lay-off was slotted in by Grant with a minimum of fuss.
Huntly doubled their lead in 70 minutes after Marc Coghill was shown a yellow card for a foul on Grant on the edge of the box. The Huntly striker picked himself up and drove the ball low past Graeme Williamson into the net.
Academy reduced the deficit with two minutes of the 90 remaining. A shot by Marc Macgregor was blocked by keeper Calum Brodie but Gordon MacNab, who had fallen to the ground in the build-up, rose to turn in the rebound from close range.
Results – Highland League: Formartine United 1, Rothes 0; Forres Mechanics 1, Turriff United 6; Keith 1, Clachnacuddin 0; Strathspey Thistle 0, Deveronvale 3; Wick Academy 1, Huntly 2.
Scottish Cup, third round (ties involving Highland League clubs): Banks O’ Dee 1, Hamilton Academical 2; Clydebank 2, Buckie Thistle 0; Cowdenbeath 1, Brechin City 4 (AET; Fraserburgh 2, Annan Athletic 0; Livingston 2, Brora Rangers 0.
Fixtures – Friday, December 6 – Highland League Cup, second round: Banks O' Dee v Brechin City. Saturday, December 7 – Highland League Cup, second round: Brora Rangers v Formartine United; Buckie Thistle v Fraserburgh; Huntly v Deveronvale.
Highland League: Clachnacuddin v Lossiemouth; Strathspey Thistle v Keith; Wick Academy v Turriff United (3pm).
