Late strike by Henderson as Academy keep up the momentum
A late strike by Kyle Henderson allowed Wick Academy to keep up the momentum with a 1-0 victory over Keith.
Saturday’s encounter at Kynoch Park was not a classic but it was another good result for the Scorries, making it four wins and a draw from their last five games in the Highland League.
The decisive moment came after 81 minutes when a misjudgement by keeper Rodrigo Vitols proved costly for the Maroons.
Gordon MacNab sent a long ball forward from inside his own half. Vitols, on loan from Aberdeen, ventured out of his box and attempted to head the ball clear but didn’t get any distance on it.
The keeper was then dispossessed by Marc Macgregor, who set up Henderson for a composed left-foot finish past a couple of backtracking defenders.
Manager Gary Manson said: “It was quite a scrappy game on a bobbly, fiery pitch.
“From quite early on it looked like one goal was going to be enough. Thankfully we managed to nick the goal and take the win.
“I was really pleased with the clean sheet. We limited them to very few chances throughout the game and it keeps the momentum going.”
Henderson’s goal brought his tally for the season to 16. It followed on from his hat-trick against Lossiemouth the previous weekend.
“It was one of the easier goals that he has scored this season but he still had to have that composure and finish it off,” Manson said.
“To score 16 goals, still with three games to go, is a good achievement in itself – and in only his second season in the league it’s even more admirable.
“I’m sure Kyle would be the first to admit that he needs his team-mates around about him to score these goals. But he has shown this season that he can be a right handful and a good finisher, with 16 goals and hopefully more to come.”
Academy have taken 13 points from their last five matches, having picked up 17 points from 26 games prior to that.
It was Wick’s fourth clean sheet of the season and allowed them to avenge their defeat by the same score when Keith visited Harmsworth Park in October.
Their last five matches have brought wins against Forres Mechanics, Turriff United, Lossiemouth and Keith and an away draw with Formartine United. They have lost just once in their last seven outings.
Brora Rangers remain in the driving seat in the Highland League title race after coming from behind to beat Clachnacuddin 2-1 in Inverness.
Troy Cooper opened the scoring for the Lilywhites but Matthew Wright headed in an equaliser before half-time and Shane Sutherland grabbed the winner midway through the second period.
Brechin City got back to winning ways at Glebe Park as they beat Forres Mechanics 2-1. Mitch Taylor got both goals for City, either side of a header by Ryan McRitchie.
The top two remain level on points with four games to go. Brora have a much better goal difference.
Goalkeeper Zack Ellis was the unlikely hero for Inverurie Locos in a six-goal thriller against Fraserburgh at Harlaw Park. He came up for a corner and headed it in to secure a 3-3 draw, extending Locos’ undefeated league run to 10 matches.
Conor MacPhee’s early goal was enough to secure a 1-0 victory for Strathspey Thistle against Rothes in the basement battle at Seafield Park.
The Speysiders are three points behind the Strathy Jags with a significantly worse goal difference.
James Leslie’s goal gave Lossiemouth a 1-0 win against Deveronvale at Grant Park, while Nairn County ended a run of four defeats with a 2-1 victory over Huntly.
Highland League results: Banks O’ Dee 1, Turriff United 0; Brechin City 2, Forres Mechanics 1; Buckie Thistle 1, Formartine United 1; Clachnacuddin 1, Brora Rangers 2; Inverurie Locos 3, Fraserburgh 3; Keith 0, Wick Academy 1; Lossiemouth 1, Deveronvale 0; Nairn County 2, Huntly 1; Strathspey Thistle 1, Rothes 0.
Highland League fixtures – Tuesday, March 25: Keith v Nairn County.
Wednesday, March 26: Huntly v Brora Rangers; Strathspey Thistle v Brechin City.
Friday, March 28: Deveronvale v Keith.
Saturday, March 29: Brora Rangers v Banks O’ Dee; Formartine United v Brechin City; Forres Mechanics v Clachnacuddin; Fraserburgh v Strathspey Thistle; Huntly v Inverurie Locos; Lossiemouth v Buckie Thistle; Turriff United v Rothes; Wick Academy v Nairn County (3pm).