Highland League results round-up: Wick Academy and Inverurie Locos draw
Saturday's action in the Breedon Highland League.
Inverurie Locos manager Dean Donaldson insists the door isn’t closed on Robert Ward and Nathan Meres after they started in the stalemate with Wick Academy.
Attackers Ward and Meres were transfer-listed at the start of December and had only made one appearance each in the Railwaymen’s four games prior to Saturday’s goalless draw at Harmsworth Park.
Boss Donaldson said: “They know why they were on the transfer list, they know the standards we’re looking for, both of them have got their heads down and worked hard over the last three or four weeks and deserved to start.
“The door isn’t closed on Robert or Nathan, if they work hard and do the right things then there’s still a place here for them.
“I thought both of them did well, I still think Robert can get fitter, but he will create chances.
“Nathan gets into great positions and sometimes he just needs to cross the ball, but sometimes he was making the wrong decisions.
“When they get their confidence up we’ll get more out of them.”
Despite picking up a point in Caithness, Inverurie’s winless run in the Breedon Highland League now stands at 10 games stretching back to September 20.
Donaldson added: “The back four hadn’t played together before and their performance was a positive.
“Harris Clubb has come back in after being on loan (at Sunnybank), he did very well alongside Taylor Chapman at centre-half.
“Then in midfield I thought Lloyd Robertson and Jay Halliday were exceptional, they worked tirelessly for 90 minutes and that’s the standards we’re looking for that we maybe haven’t quite been getting.”
Positives for Manson
This result means Wick have taken seven points from a possible nine in their last three home games.
That statistic and the work-rate the Scorries displayed pleased manager Gary Manson.
He said: “It was a game of few clear-cut chances, two teams that cancelled each other out on a difficult pitch.
“You expect those sort of conditions in January, but both teams tried their best to play decent football and just cancelled each other out.
“But I was really pleased not just with the back four and the goalkeeper, but the full team effort.
“Last week the first half against Fraserburgh (4-1 defeat) was unacceptable in terms of the level of work-rate and determination to defend our box.
“But we saw that in abundance here, everyone that played was determined to keep a clean sheet, which was pleasing.
“It’s three unbeaten at home and long may that continue.
“Every team wants their home pitch to be a place that nobody else wants to come to and at this time of year it probably is somewhere nobody wants to come to so if we can capitalise on that all the better.”
Match action
Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes after Inverurie were held up on their journey to Harmsworth Park, but when proceedings got underway defences were on top in slippery underfoot conditions.
The returning Owen Rendall marshalled Wick’s defence superbly, while for Inverurie Taylor Chapman and Harris Clubb performed admirably at centre-half in the absence of experienced duo Paul Coutts and Mark Souter.
In the first period Academy’s George Ewing stung the palms of goalkeeper Kyle Irvine with a shot from 25 yards, while at the other end goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher raced off his line to smother Josh Bolton’s attempted finish after he galloped onto a Jack McKenzie through ball.
The best chance of the game came just before the hour mark when Gordon MacNab’s free-kick was nodded down by Rendall for Marc MacGregor, who looked poised to score from close range only to be repelled by a brilliant block from Irvine.
In the closing stages Euan Kennedy curled an effort straight at Irvine, but it was Locos who had the last chance in the third minute of stoppage time.
Milosz Ochmanski crossed from the left for sub Ethan Cairns whose glancing his header flashed wide.
Formartine United 4-0 Strathspey Thistle
Breedon Highland League leaders Formartine United moved five points clear at the top of the table by beating Strathspey Thistle at North Lodge Park.
The Pitmedden side took control of proceedings in the first half, Rory McAllister opened the scoring, Hamish Ritchie netted number two and McAllister bagged his second and United’s third before the break.
In the second period Aidan McCormick completed the scoring as Formartine made it 11 games unbeaten in the league.
Buckie Thistle 8-0 Rothes
Buckie Thistle racked up eight against Rothes at Victoria Park.
Lyall Keir broke the deadlock for the Jags in the first minute and Josh Peters quickly doubled their advantage before Sam Morrison netted Thistle’s third before half-time.
After the break Ross Morrison bagged a hat-trick, while Peters netted twice more to complete his hat-trick.
The result means Buckie remain sixth in the table, while Rothes are still bottom and are without a win in 41 matches.
Deveronvale 0-2 Banks o’ Dee
Banks o’ Dee moved up to seventh by defeating Deveronvale at Princess Royal Park.
Sam Pugh got the opener for the Aberdeen outfit just before half-time and and Liam Duell’s counter early in the second half sealed the points.
Lossiemouth v Brora Rangers, Nairn County v Fraserburgh and Turriff United v Forres Mechanics were postponed on Saturday morning because of frost.
Meanwhile, Clachnacuddin v Brechin City and Huntly v Keith were postponed on Friday due to frost and snow respectively.
Turra name pair as co-chairs
Turriff United have appointed Karen Watson and Paddy Neville as co-chairpersons – with Watson becoming the first woman to hold such a role in the Breedon Highland League.
The Haughs club had been looking for a new chair following the resignation of Tom Cummings last month and have decided to make a dual appointment.
Jeff Smith, who has been serving as interim chair since Cummings’ departure, will now return to his previous role as vice-chair.
Speaking about her appointment in a club statement, Watson said: “I’m honoured to accept the role of joint chair of Turriff United alongside Paddy.
“I’d like to thank the committee and management team for the trust you have placed in us.
“Turriff United is more than a football club, it’s a community, a history, and a source of pride for so many people – players, volunteers, supporters, sponsors and families who have given their time and energy to ensure its success.
“The foundations are strong and Paddy and I are grateful to build on them.
“I’m aware this marks a milestone – not just for Turriff United but for the Highland League – as I become the first female chair.
“Football is about opportunity, teamwork and belief and I hope this moment shows leadership in the game is open to anyone willing to work hard and put the club first.
“I look forward to working alongside Paddy, Greg (Moir, manager) and the committee, focusing on stability, sustainability and progress, supporting our players and management, strengthening our ties with the local community and ensuring our club is in a strong position for the future.”
‘This really means a lot’
Neville added: “I’m proud and honoured to be appointed joint chair of Turriff United alongside Karen.
“As a long-time supporter of Turriff United, this really means a lot to me.
“I’m genuinely looking forward to working with Karen, the committee, our many volunteers, and supporters to develop the strong long-standing foundations of our club.
“We’re fully committed to supporting Greg, the coaching staff and all the players from Under-18’s development right up to the first team.
“Thank you to our supporters and the wider community — your passion and loyalty are what make this club so special. Together, we keep moving forward.”
[Source: Press and Journal]
