YOU do not need to employ a scout to tell you that a striker who has
scored 17 goals for a club outside the challenging pack may just be
worth a look.
So it is in the Highland League this season as Wick Academy continue
to shine, with no star in their team more dazzling than forward Alan
Murray.
The striker, more than anyone, has convinced the all-amateur club of
the need to fix up their best operators on professional contracts over
Christmas.
The move may prove a timely one, for Ross County manager Bobby Wilson
watched Murray in Wick's 4-2 win at Nairn County and now seems poised to
follow up with a bid.
''We spoke to Wick officials about him at the game,'' said Wilson.
''That's as far as it has gone at the moment.''
Murray, who possesses a turn of blistering pace and has discovered the
art of finishing, is settled in Caithness but he may be lured by the
prospect of playing Scottish League football at Dingwall.
Wick's other scorers were Richard Hughes (2) and Stuart Sutherland
against Nairn, who countered from Paul Ross and Ronnie Sharp. They also
had two penalties saved by Wick keeper Graeme Stewart.
In a full league programme on Saturday, all the main title challengers
recorded victories, and most convincing were champions and league
leaders Huntly, who defeated Fraserburgh 5-1. Gary Whyte helped himself
to a hat trick, while Brian Thomson settled for a double.
Peterhead manager Dave Watson offered his side as potential outsiders
for the title after they won 2-0 at Clach.
Watson's men scored through Derek Smith and Grant Coull then survived
a second-half onslaught by Clach.
Now, if Watson's side maintain full points from the remaining
festive-period games they would be established as genuine challengers.
A Dave Caldwell goal moved Cove into the top four after they beat
Forres 1-0 while second-placed Elgin City kept up their challenge with
an injury-time winner from Craig Stewart against his former club,
Deveronvale.
Goals from Ian Shaw, Gary Clark, and Andy Fiske gave Lossiemouth the
points in a 3-1 win at Rothes, who countered from Chris Pilichos.
Buckie Thistle and Keith drew 1-1 while Brora Rangers' trip to Fort
William was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
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