Wick welcome a long-awaited win

Player-manager Gary Manson praised Wick Academy’s improved attacking display as they defeated Deveronvale 2-1 to record their first victory in the Breedon Highland League since August 27.

On plenty of occasions this season Manson has been left bemoaning a lack of creativity in the final third, but that wasn’t the case at Harmsworth Park on Saturday.

He said: “It’s been far too long since we’ve won in the league so it was very welcome, hopefully that’s us back on the right track.

“We played Richard Macadie further forward having played him as a sitting midfielder for most of the season. That gave us extra quality in the final third with Richard in the number 10 position.

“We should have scored more but I was a lot happier that we were creating chances.”

Wick started on top and made the breakthrough when Sean Munro touched home Ross Allan’s inswinging corner.

Gordon MacNab slotted home the second after rounding goalkeeper Sean McIntosh, but Deveronvale netted on the stroke of half-time.

Horace Ormsby’s header rebounded off the crossbar and Harry Noble was there first to head the rebound into the net.

After the break Scorries winger Sean Campbell was stretchered off with an ankle injury and Harry Hennem’s chip hit the bar and a post before rebounding into McIntosh’s hands.

In the closing stages referee Billy Baxter turned away Vale penalty appeals for a shove on Charlie Hay.

Banffers boss Craig Stewart said: “Poor defending cost us, we gave ourselves too much to do in the second half.

“It was horrendous defending really, the goals we lost are similar to goals we’ve lost all season.

“But we have to remember we’ve got young players in those positions and these things can happen.”

n Banks o’ Dee manager Jamie Watt was pleased to get back to winning ways after thrashing Strathspey Thistle 7-0 at Seafield Park.

Watt felt the victory was the perfect response to Wednesday’s loss at Rothes and the win also moved the Aberdeen side back into positive points having been on -1 at kick-off.

Watt said: “We asked for a positive response to losing at Rothes on Wednesday and we got that.

“We wanted to be positive and take the game to Strathspey from the first minute and we did that.

“We created plenty in the game and we didn’t give up many chances so it was the perfect response and just what we needed.”

Liam McDade’s own goal put Dee ahead and Hamish MacLeod netted the second before the break.

Kane Winton got the third by converting the rebound after Mark Gilmour hit the crossbar.

Jack Henderson was on target to make it 4-0 and a Darryn Kelly header made it five. Magnus Watson got the sixth and Neil Gauld made it a magnificent seven after goalkeeper Oliver Kelly had thwarted Gilmour.

Strathspey recorded their first win of the season against Clach on Wednesday but couldn’t follow it up.

Manager Charlie Brown said: “We weren’t at the races and we got overpowered. We didn’t match Banks o’ Dee anywhere on the park. After the high of Wednesday night it was a really bad day.”

SEVEN UP: Banks o’Dee’s Jamie Watt was pleased with positive response – and to be back in positive points territory.