Deveronvale manager Craig Stewart happy with undefeated Highland League start but sees two-goal lead slip away at Wick Academy
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DEVERONVALE’S unbeaten start to the Highland League continued at Wick Academy on Saturday - but it could have been better.
Manager Craig Stewart was disappointed to see a 2-0 half time lead slip away down the Harmsworth Park slope as their Caithness hosts hit back for a point.
A Mikey Watson goal and a first competitive strike in Vale colours for Cammy Angus set the Banff men up for victory, and Watson missed a chance to make it 3-0 after the interval.
“If you had offered me a point at the start, I told my players before the match that I would have said no, because I fancied us after getting a result last week,” Stewart said.
“The way the game went in terms of us being 2-0 up, I am disappointed that we’ve thrown it away really.
“Two corners, and I said to the boys at half time that their delivery from corners and their threat- because they are quite a big side - it was something that would cause us problems and we needed to stop giving away silly corners.
“We were playing decent stuff and had a great chance where we should have went 3-0 up, I think it would have been a different outcome had we taken that chance.
“Fair play to Wick, they played down the slope in the second half and it is a fair slope and they play it well. They are not a team that plays route one football, I was quite impressed by them and they try to play football properly.
“In the end I think Wick might even be disappointed not to sneak a win. They had a lot of possession, however I don’t think they had clearcut chances and it was just the two goals from corners.
“Matty Petermann in the last couple of minutes had a great chance to win it for us and he’s kind of scuffed it. I’m disappointed we didn’t take the three points.
“It’s an unbeaten start, and a win and a draw is acceptable.”
With strikers Dane Ballard and Toni Jam injured, Angus has earned his chance to lead the front line and Stewart praised his contribution.
“He’s absolutely earned his chance. He is playing on merit from his performances in pre-season which have been really good.
“He’s got a bit to go, he’s not the finished article but he’s only 19 or 20. He has a great attitude and a great finish as he showed with his goal up at Wick.
“He worked really hard and it’s all about getting him to work in the right areas, and to learn and develop like the rest of the young lads. I hope he takes his opportunity and so far you can’t argue with what he’s done. He wants to do well and he’s a team player and we just want him to keep improving and his attitude suggests he can do that.”
Stewart has been pleased with new signing Scott Thomson’s powerful displays in midfield, although the ex-Lossiemouth man works offshore and will be away for a month at a time.
Vale visit Clach on Saturday with Ballard, Jam and Jamie Tinnock on the sidelines due to injury.
