Wick Academy aiming to round off disappointing campaign on a positive note
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Manager Gary Manson accepts it has been a disappointing season for Wick Academy, but the Scorries will be aiming to round it off on a positive note when Lossiemouth visit Harmsworth Park on Saturday.
If results go their way, Academy – currently third from bottom of the Highland League – will climb two places and finish in 14th.
Throughout the campaign Manson has had to cope with a long list of injuries as well as suspensions and lack of availability.
After a run of heavy defeats, the results and performances have picked up recently with a 3-0 win at Turriff two weeks ago and last Saturday's 3-3 draw away to Deveronvale after Academy led 3-1 at half-time.
A victory on Saturday will lift the Scorries up to 14th, above Lossie and Keith, if the Maroons lose to Banks O' Dee.
“Having your last game at home is always a plus point and, after the last four games all being away, it'll be good to play at home and hopefully get a win to round the season off," Manson said. "If we move up the table then all the better.
“Nobody sets out in their season to finish 14th, so wherever we finish now in the league it'll be a disappointing league campaign. But there are lots of mitigating factors for that.”
The supporters' player of the year award will be presented at the end of the game.
When the teams met at Grant Park in August, Gordon MacNab put Academy in front from the penalty spot but they were reduced to 10 men when Ryan Campbell was red-carded. The Coasters took advantage with goals in the closing 15 minutes through Liam Archibald and Adam MacLeod to win 2-1.
Brechin City won 2-0 at Keith in midweek to set up a last-day title decider against Buckie Thistle at Victoria Park.
Goals by Fraser MacLeod and Ewan Loudon took City to within a point of the leaders, so Andy Kirk's men need to win on Saturday to become champions whereas a draw will be enough for the Jags.
Huntly completed their fixtures with a 2-0 win at Rothes. Andrew Hunter and Robbie Foster got the goals.
Highland League results – Saturday: Banks O' Dee 9, Strathspey Thistle 1; Brora Rangers 1, Huntly 0; Buckie Thistle 1, Formartine United 0; Clachnacuddin 1, Brechin City 2; Deveronvale 3, Wick Academy 3; Fraserburgh 3, Forres Mechanics 0; Keith 2, Inverurie Locos 3; Lossiemouth 2, Rothes 4; Turriff United 1, Nairn County 3.
Wednesday: Keith 0, Brechin City 2; Rothes 0, Huntly 2.
Fixtures for Saturday, April 22: Brora Rangers v Rothes; Buckie Thistle v Brechin City; Deveronvale v Nairn County; Formartine United v Inverurie Locos; Fraserburgh v Strathspey Thistle; Keith v Banks O' Dee; Turriff United v Clachnacuddin; Wick Academy v Lossiemouth.
