Wick Academy U17s hit goal trail to retain Highland League North title
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WICK Academy under-17s clinched their second successive Highland League North title in style with a 16-0 demolition of Fort William.
The young Scorries had put themselves in a strong position as they prepared to take on the league’s bottom team at Harmsworth Park on Sunday, requiring a point from their last two games to pip Alness.
They were entitled to be confident – and they duly tore in to their visitors.
Cameron Montgomery led the way with four goals while Mark Macadie bagged a hat-trick. Sam Barclay netted a double with other goals coming from Scott Mowat, Ben Sinclair, Euan Macgregor, Roddy Innes, Ross Mackie, Andrew Sutherland and Aaron Wilson.
A delighted Academy U17 boss James Robertson paid tribute to his young stars for competing all the way to retain their title.
He said: “At the start of the season, you always set out to win it but you are aware that due to age you will lose a few players who look to try and make it in the senior game.
“We lost half of our championship-winning team of last year so we knew it would be tough.
“However, there’s a very good coaching set-up in Caithness so the under-15s coming through the ranks were already well drilled in how we like to play.
“It was a question of how quickly we could mould them into a team with the existing squad and they did just that.
“To finish the job in the manner we did was pleasing. All credit to Fort William, they put in a lot of effort to promote the game and they have some dedicated coaches.
“Credit also to Alness who made the title race extremely competitive.
“Over the course of the season, our defence has been the bedrock of the team, having conceded the least amount of goals in the league.
“The attacking players have thrived on that platform and it all augurs well for the future.
“Admittedly the jump from the under-17s to senior Highland League is still a big one. But the players are enjoying the moment right now. The club took them out for a celebratory meal.
“As for next season, only a bold person would predict a third title in a row but we’ll be doing our best.”
