Player has become more up front at Clachnacuddin since changing to striker
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LEWIS Mackenzie says he is relishing the change of role at Clachnacuddin since becoming a striker.
Manager Conor Gethins switched the youngster from a midfield role to forward to address the striker problem the club has experienced this season.
In his first game in the role, he scored a hat-trick in the 8-0 win against Wick Academy, and has found the net six times in seven games as a striker.
It included scoring in Clachnacuddin’s shock 3-2 victory against Buckie Thistle at Victoria Park last Saturday.
Mackenzie (21) says he is enjoying his new role in front of goal and believes he is learning about how to be a striker from one of the best in the Highland League in Gethins, who netted over 200 goals for Nairn County alone during his career.
“I have picked up a lot since I have moved into a striker role,” said Mackenzie.
“Conor Gethins has changed me to striker since he came in and things have changed massively for me where it has worked out for the best.
“I have been a striker for seven games and have scored six goals so far. I am just getting started, I am learning off Conor every week and I think he is one of the best people to learn from.
“When we played Wick Academy, we had a striker crisis, especially with James Anderson being out.
“Conor thought how he could solve that and he stuck me up front and I ended up scoring a hat-trick.
“I have been given the opportunity of playing up front and I am taking it game by game and I’m really enjoying it.”
Mackenzie recently agreed a new two-year contract with Clachnacuddin which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2025/26 season.
He says it has been a frustrating season for the Lilywhites, but thinks next season they could become a stronger force in the division.
“I don’t really fancy going anywhere else and that is why I have signed a new deal,” said Mackenzie.
“I get along with everyone at the club and the fans as well and it is just the ideal situation.
“Next season is where we will pick up when we get a full pre-season with Conor and implementing his ideas.
“We are a team to watch, everyone has been saying in the last few years Clach is a project, but next season is where we can take off.”
Clachnacuddin head to face Nairn County tomorrow at Station Park as they look for their fourth win this season.
Mackenzie says they will go into the game full of confidence after winning at Buckie Thistle.
With draws at the likes of Banks O’Dee and Fraserburgh this season, he says there has been frustration that other matches haven’t gone their way. But they are looking for a good run of results to end their season on a high note.
“It was a great result at Buckie especially with the results they previously had,” said Mackenzie.
“It makes it more frustrating that we have been struggling against teams around us in the table that we shouldn’t be struggling against.
“We have fixtures that we are looking at and we are thinking if we can beat Buckie Thistle away from home, then you have to think that we can beat anyone in the league.”
