Cans have thumping victory

Forres Mechanics 4 Wick Academy 1

Forres Mechanics announced that they are back in the title race with a thumping 4-1 victory over league leaders Wick Academy at Mosset Park with manager Charlie Rowley using the slogan of going “back to basics” as the Can Cans hope to come from behind to win a second term as SHFL champions.

The management team made full use of the postponement of their game against Huntly to rally the troops and rethink their strategy as he revealed after Saturday’s magnificent win, “We had a heart to heart when there was the week off and we spoke about going back to basics until we get a head of steam up and get that bit of momentum and I think it has worked in the last two games.

“There was always going to be question marks about how we’d react to being champions and I think, not having been in that position before, we have struggled if I am being honest. Now we have settled in a wee bit and I think we’re getting used to it. Hopefully this is now the lift we needed to go on and to provide wins on a regular basis.

“Momentum is a great word to use and we had it all of last season but unfortunately we haven’t had it up until this point. That is two wins, two good wins against difficult opposition but we can’t rest on our laurels but we have to move on, it’s a tough one away at Cove next week and it certainly doesn’t get any easier.”

Wick came into this game flying high at the top of the table after a thumping 5-1 win over Keith. There could have been no bigger test and Rowley recognised this, “It was a big ask playing against Wick, a team in real form and up at the top of the League on merit and given the way we have been playing this season there was a doubt over whether or not we would be capable of beating them on our own patch.

“Nevertheless we stood up to everything they threw at us, our attitude and workrate was again unquestionable and yet again it was the basis for our 4-1 win. The win today was all important regardless of how we got it.

“That was why we went as basic as possible and tried to hurt their defensive areas. That proved to be the case and we worked really hard to stop them getting any free flowing pattern to their play.”

As well as a more familiar approach to the game the Forres boss also pointed to the familiarity of the team as being a key factor in the win. “It’s the first time this season I’ve played the same team two weeks in a row, for various reasons.

“Dukey (Kevin Duguid) and Gov (Craig McGovern) are settling in in the wide areas really well and I was really pleased with their input today. Craig has set up two of Kevin’s goals, one from the penalty spot and one with the cross and that is all you can ask from your wide players. Now it is a case of continuing that.”

Forres came flying out of the blocks and signaled their intentions with a shoot on sight policy that saw three range finders go whistling over the top of Michael Gray’s goal. The first shot on target was a deflected Craig McGovern effort but what was noticeable even by the 20 minute mark was the Wick were struggling to cope with the more direct Mechanics approach.

While their opponents may bemoan the use of twin towers Ryan Green and Kyle Scott in attack it was noticeable how much more effective the wide players become when the ball is quickly played in front of them, allowing them to attack a back tracking back four.

This was emphasised as Forres won a 43rd minute penalty.

Craig McGovern was the man on the move, stepping inside Grant Steven who illegally halted the winger’s progress. Kevin Duguid stepped up to send Gray the wrong way and put Forres ahead at the break.

Wick needed the half time break to adjust their game plan and looked livelier at the start of the second half. It didn’t take them long to level. Sam Mackay’s deep cross was hit goalwards by Davie Allan who was fortunate to see Graeme Grant slice his attempted clearance into his own net.

A set back, yes, but not a terminal one for the Mechanics who showed great resilience to go on and win the game with something to spare. A disputed Ross Macpherson throw in found Craig McGovern who again went past his man before zipping the ball across the face of goal for Kevin Duguid to put Forres back in front.

Wick were forced to open up and the Cans picked them off adding two more before the final whistle. Graham Fraser added a rare goal when he rose at the back post to head home “Dukey’s” corner in the 87th minute.

Then, a minute into stoppage time, Scott Moore played the part of supersub as he pounced on a failed Matty Davidson effort to fire in number four from ten yards out, rounding off a great day for the champions.

Forres Mechanics: S Knight, G Fraser, S Fraser, G Grant, N Sharp, R Macpherson, M McMullan, K Duguid, R Green (M Davidson 75), K Scott, C McGovern (S Moore 89) Subs: S Lawrie, J Main, C Stuart

Scorers: K Duguid (43 pen, 73) G Fraser (87) S Moore (90+1)

Booked: G Fraser (25), M McMullan (65), G Grant (70) Sent Off: -

Wick Academy: M Gray, M Steven, G Manson (R Allan 85), A Farquhar, G Steven, C Shearer (J Pickles 76), S Mackay, S Cunningham, G Weir (L Geruzel 68), R Macadie, D Allan Subs: S Sinclair, S Ross

Scorers: G Grant (51 og)

Booked: S Cunningham (52), S Mackay (65) Sent Off: -

Referee: T Shaw

Gazette Gold Star: With two goals and effectively two assists there can only be one winner of the Gold Star this week, Kevin Duguid. With the defences panicking about the central pairing up front the wide men are making the most of being left one on one with their man and “Gov and Dukey” look like they are ready to start holding court.