Fans urged to get behind Academy

A RALLYING cry comes from the dugouts this week as both Wick Academy manager Davie Kirkwood and his opposite number, Huntly skipper Dave McGinlay, agree on one thing - tomorrow should see one of the most entertaining games of the season so far.

As the two teams prepare to go head-to-head at Harmsworth Park both managers are encouraging football fans to fill out the ground and show their support.

Scorries boss Kirkwood has high hopes for the game and wants local fans, not just of Academy but of football in general, to turn up for the fixture.

"I'm just hoping the local crowd get behind us this week," he said. "We want their full backing and they will get to see a good team playing. Even neutral fans should get a good day out."

However it is not all propaganda from the Scorries' skipper as he has good reason to believe his team will showcase some top-class action tomorrow.

Despite calling last week's 3-1 win over Fort William as "probably the poorest" performance of all season, Kirkwood has been seeing regular improvements to his side.

The memory of the last encounter with Huntly, when Academy were beaten 2-1 in injury time at Christie Park in October, will only fuel the determination for a turnaround.

"It's another one of these games we had at the start of the season that we should have taken something out of but we came away with no points," he said.

"I'm hoping to reverse that fixture and get the three points at home. We need to go for the win."

Earlier in the week team selection was looking free of injuries but Michael Steven is just one booking away from sitting on the sidelines. However, Kirkwood is not too worried about losing the key defender temporarily.

"If he gets booked then he gets booked," said the manager. "That's the way it happens in football and I've got a squad of players that can come in to fill the gaps."

Kirkwood also won't be underestimating Huntly.

"It will be a tight game as they have their threats, like Barry Sommers up front," he said.

"They don't give many goals away and they are coming off the back of a good win against Keith last weekend [1-3 at Kynoch Park].

"Hopefully, though, the long trip up has an effect on them and we will be at the top of our game."

Meanwhile, 160 miles away, Huntly manager McGinlay also expects the football to be top notch this weekend.

McGinlay started the season with only four signed players so is "delighted" with how things have panned out so far.

After grabbing three points in their derby game against Keith last week, the squad is coming to Wick on a high.

McGinlay described last week's game as "one of our best performances of the season".

He said: "A win breeds confidence and it makes everyone want to play. There is a good buzz about us at the moment.

"If there are any neutral spectators in the area that want to see two teams going for it then this would be the game I would want to go see - that's for sure."

With a full squad to pick from, the manager wants a win at Wick and to start making more headway in the league.

He is a big fan of Academy's playing style and thinks that Kirkwood has added to the good work of former co-managers Ian Munro and Richard Hughes.

However, McGinlay said that Kirkwood is not the only manager putting in the effort to step up a gear.

"I'm trying to get my team to play that style of football - like Academy - and I don't think I'm very far away if truth be told," he said. "However coming to Wick is never going to be easy."

Season's form

Wick Academy

Position 10th

Won 9, drawn 3, lost 8

Points: 30

Huntly

Position 7th

Won 10, drawn 2, lost 7

Points: 32

Previous meeting

Saturday, October 1

Huntly 2, Wick Academy 1