Wick won't win title but will have a major say on run in

SAM Mackay believes steadily- improving Wick Academy will have a major say in where the Highland League trophy is paraded. The talented 20-year-old admits the Caithness club has no chance of landing the big prize itself despite taking huge strides in the past 18 months.

But, after scoring his 15th goal of the campaign in Saturday's 5-1 thrashing of visiting Turriff United, MacKay promised Wick would be brokers in the power struggle at the top. The former Scottish schoolboy international said: "We're keeping up with the teams around us and we've still got games in hand against most teams above us."

In the only game to beat the freezing weather, Wick always looked like claiming a comfortable victory at Harmsworth Park.

The hosts scored in the first minute as Turriff failed to clear their lines and Richard MacAdie found space to feed MacKay, who found the bottom corner of the net with a slightly mis-hit shot.

Gary Weir made it two just after the half hour and Craig Shearer put the Scorries firmly in command with his third goal in as many games five minutes before half-time.

David Allan struck the fourth and Richard MacAdie completed the scoring in the 90th minute but there was still time for Turriff to grab a consolation through Martin McLeod.