Wick Academy 'never got going' in disappointing defeat at Lossiemouth
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Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Lossiemouth was further proof that every team in the bottom half of the Highland League is capable of taking points off each other, according to Wick Academy manager Gary Manson.
The Scorries travelled to Grant Park hoping to build on their 3-2 midweek victory over Forres Mechanics but they came home empty-handed after RAF serviceman Henry Jordan struck the only goal in the 34th minute.
“I don't know if the boys were a wee bit leggy and tired from Wednesday night's match but they never got going at all," Manson admitted.
“We created one really good chance in the first half and two we could have maybe done better with, but in the second half we huffed and puffed. We had quite a lot of the ball in the second half but we did next to nothing with it.
“We couldn't really complain about the result. We were disappointed with the performance."
It was Lossiemouth's first league win in more than seven months. Their last victory was at Keith on February 25.
Manson said: “Lossie hadn't won [this season] but their two draws came against Brora and Banks O' Dee and they've not been beaten by heavy margins. They've all been close, so we knew it was going to be a tough game.
“They played quite well, and we didn't take our chances when they arrived and that cost us.
“Chances were at a premium for both teams. It could have gone either way.
“In the bottom half of the table, any team can beat any team on any given day. We could play Lossiemouth next week and beat them or we could play Forres next week and they could beat us.
“There's no consistency, and that's why all those teams are in the bottom half of the table – because they can't put together a consistent run of wins. We'll just need to make sure we can beat the teams around us.”
The damp weather was not a factor on Saturday, in Manson's opinion.
“Conditions were perfect," he said. "The pitch was as good as I've ever seen the Lossiemouth pitch and there was next to no wind, so there were no excuses whatsoever.
Academy have no game this weekend so will have an extra training session on Saturday to “keep ticking over”. Their next match is away to Formartine United on Saturday, October 21.
Huntly continued their impressive start to the season with a 4-1 win at home to Fraserburgh.
Broch led at the break through Ryan Sargent's strike midway through the first half, but three goals in eight minutes around the hour mark turned the match in Huntly's favour. Ross Still levelled and Lyall Booth put the home side in front before Michael Dangana made it 3-1.
Callum Murray sealed a fine win for Allan Hale's men in the closing stages.
With Buckie Thistle's match against Brechin City postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Victoria Park, Formartine United took the opportunity to claim top spot after a 2-0 home win against Forres Mechanics. Kick-off at North Lodge Park was delayed because of the wet conditions, but when the game got going Scott Lisle scored an early opener and Marc Lawrence added the second.
Forres had a chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot but Ethan Cairns had his kick saved.
Inverurie Locos joined Lossiemouth in picking up their first league win of the campaign.
Lloyd Robertson, Greg Mitchell, Nathan Meres (2) and Cole Anderson were on target in Locos' 5-0 victory over bottom club Strathspey Thistle.
Nairn County beat Deveronvale 3-1 in Banff.
The Highland League Cup semi-final between Brora Rangers and Keith was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and has been rescheduled for this Saturday – originally the date set aside for the final.
Highland League results: Banks O’ Dee 2, Clachnacuddin 2; Deveronvale 1, Nairn County 3; Formartine United 2, Forres Mechanics 0; Huntly 4, Fraserburgh 1; Inverurie Locos 5, Strathspey Thistle 0; Lossiemouth 1, Wick Academy 0.
Fixtures – Wednesday, October 11 – Highland League: Forres Mechanics v Clachnacuddin; Strathspey Thistle v Rothes.
Saturday, October 14 – Highland League: Fraserburgh v Turriff United; Inverurie Locos v Banks O' Dee.
Highland League Cup semi-final: Brora Rangers v Keith.
