Clachnacuddin look to end 2023 on a high when they face Wick Academy in Inverness in Highland League clash
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Clachnacuddin will be hoping that three points against Wick Academy this weekend can be the perfect tonic to what has been a troublesome 2023.
Successes have been few and far between for the Lilywhites this calendar year, with the club only recently ending a run of 21 matches without victory that had stretched back to last season.
Then, under former manager Jordan Macdonald, a solid start to the campaign perhaps covered up what was a disappointing end to the season, as Clach registered a 13th place finish in the 2022/23 Highland League.
The new season showed early promise after the summer, as ahead of an incredibly difficult run of fixtures Clach were competitive – for example pushing title contenders Buckie Thistle all the way in a 3-2 defeat on the opening day and picking up valuable points against Keith and Deveronvale, as well as Scottish Cup progress with a win over Inverurie Locos.
However, a string of games against either the Highland League’s giants or in-form sides would leave the Grant Street Park outfit in the league table’s doldrums.
Again, there were creditable results like a 2-2 draw with Banks O’Dee, but such a long time without victory would ultimately spell the end for Macdonald’s time in charge.
Nairn County legend Conor Gethins would make the sort journey along the A96 to take charge, and although progress was slow at first recent weeks have seen signs of a turnaround beginning to come to the fore.
Again, it has been results against Keith and Deveronvale that signalled the potential for better times ahead.
Two weeks ago, Clach brought their lengthy winless run to a close with a 3-1 triumph over Keith, with Harry Hennem, Rorie Macleod and Connor Bunce all finding the back of the net.
Following that up with a pre-Christmas stalemate away at Deveronvale – the only match on the Highland League calendar to go ahead amid tricky weather conditions around the north of Scotland – and a third positive result in-a-row would really add to Clach’s momentum going into 2024.
The Lilywhites will have the benefit of home advantage against Wick Academy this weekend, but that does not mean it will be an easy task to pick up three points.
When the sides last met back in August, it was the Scorries who ran out 3-0 winners – and Wick have only become stronger since then.
They will be bolstered by the return of Gordon MacNab from injury for the match in Inverness, albeit Wick have only played once since November 18 due to fixture postponements.
From Clach’s point of view, a win would move them level on points with Wick – which would certainly have them looking up the table in the new year.
