Huntly 2 Wick Academy 1: Andy Hunter's double gives hosts victory
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
HUNTLY picked up a 2-1 victory over Wick Academy on Saturday to make it four home wins on the bounce.
The Black and Golds were made to work for the three points, with Andy Hunter scoring a brace after the 70-minute mark to make sure of the victory.
Marc MacGregor’s penalty on 88 minutes meant Huntly couldn’t cruise over the finishing line, but they held on for three hard-fought points.
“It was a matter of time for us based on how we played first half,” manager Colin Charlesworth said.
“We were really dominant without making the right final decision, and were guilty of overplaying a bit and playing the extra ball.
“We heard them get a rocket at half-time and they came out firing, but we deserved the win in the end.”
Andy Hunter’s double earned him more praise from his manager.
“Andy is a match-winner,” he said. “Quite often when we have needed someone to step up this season we have gone to Andy.
“His two goals couldn’t have been more contrasting – for the first he reacted quickest to a goalmouth scramble to poke in and the second was a real moment of quality.
“It was a direct free-kick and he’s gone and put it top corner with a great strike. It was pure power across the face of goal.”
Huntly will be looking to add to their impressive home form when they welcome Keith and Brora Rangers to Christie Park this week.
“I have always been big on the importance of winning home games if you want to progress and climb up the league,” Charlesworth said.
“People have to hate coming to Christie Park. The boys are making it that way at the minute, taking the game to teams and getting a buzz off the fans.
“We are getting a good turnout at hospitality and a good crowd in and that’s helping.
“Keith are a good side and are unbeaten in seven. Momentum in football is massive and Keith have that just now, as do we.
"It’s a derby game and you get an extra kick out of it so it’s all set up for a good game.
“We are at home, sixth in the league, so we will be going out to win the game. That will be the same against Brora – we are going to go out to win the game.
"We are going to be up against it in both matches. Brora is a different test from Keith, they are a good side who are struggling with the backlog of fixtures, but still offer a threat.”
Huntly remain on course to challenge for the top six – which was the club’s pre-season ambition with Allan Hale in charge.
“At the start of the season we wanted to compete with the top six,” Charlesworth said.
“Circumstances changed when lose the manager, but the players have got their heads down and if we get six points this week then we can put the pressure on Brora.
