Mackay helps plug the gaps as Wick take all three points

Three goals in 18 secondhalf minutes saw Wick come from behind to beat Clach 3-1 at Grant Street, moving the Caithness men into ninth place in the Highland League table.

Academy midfield maestro Sam Mackay was delighted to play his part in the win, even if it was in an unfamiliar defensive role.

He said: “That was my first ever time playing right-back and I enjoyed it.

“In the first half I thought we were poor. We had a strong wind at our backs but never used it well enough.

“Clach didn’t create too much but it was a good finish from their striker.

“We were much better in the second half. We managed to get the ball down and play and limited Clach to efforts from distance. I thought we ran out comfortable winners in the end.

“It was also good to get some minutes in. I haven’t played much football the last four months due to work.”

Keiran Chalmers put the home side ahead with a neat finish in the 10th minute.

Ten minutes later Sam Mackay played in Jack Halliday, but he could only shoot straight at Ryan Macleod.

Craig Gunn fired a free-kick just over from 20 yards before half time as the visitors pressed.

The leveller arrived in the 57th minute when Michael Steven bundled the ball home from a corner after Halliday’s initial shot was deflected wide by the home defence.

Halliday got the goal his excellent performance deserved to put Wick in front eight minutes later.

Sean McCarthy preserved Wick’s lead with a fine save from a blistering Martin Macdonald 20-yarder.

Gordon MacNab wrapped up the win by firing home Wick’s third goal in the 75th minute, just two minutes after coming off the bench.

Clach boss Brian Macleod said: “I’m very disappointed to lose the game having been 1-0 up at half time and looking comfortable.

“We didn’t manage the game well enough in the second half and gave away some cheap goals which allowed Wick to take control of the game.

“If you give Wick space and time in and around the box then they will punish you, and that’s exactly what happened.”

“That was my first ever time playing right-back”