Wick Academy boss Gary Manson hopes eagerness to return to Highland League action will overcome rustiness against Nairn County at Station Park
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Manager Gary Manson is hoping a hunger to get back playing will outweigh any ring-rustiness as Wick Academy head south to play Nairn County tomorrow.
With storm weather striking out last weekend’s away trip to play Formartine United, the Scorries have suffered the frustration of not kicking a ball competitively since losing narrowly away to Lossiemouth three weeks ago.
Prior to that 1-0 loss, Manson’s men had produced a stunning first half show against Forres Mechanics to lead 3-1, before running out 3-2 winners at Harmsworth Park.
There has been some bounce match action and plenty of work on the training field for the Scorries squad, but they will need to be primed and ready for a Nairn County side buzzing after knocking Caley Thistle out of the North of Scotland Cup.
The Academy boss knows his team need to find consistency in performance levels if they are to climb the table, but reckons they are not alone in that quest outside the top six or seven teams in the league.
“We’re looking forward to getting back to it after missing two weekends,” Manson said. “It isn’t ideal, but there was no blame attached to it, just the weather and cup scheduling.
“The lads are itching to get back at it and hopefully we can start to build some momentum now in coming matches.
“There are probably seven or eight teams in this league who have the quality to perform on their day, but what really separates the top sides from the rest of us is consistency.
“We were 3-0 up in the first half hour against Forres a few weeks back and could really have scored a few more, but then we let them back in the game.
“Nairn are probably one of those teams who are looking for consistency but, that said, they are slightly different in that they have a few really experienced lads in there as well who can really influence the team at vital moments in games.”
Wick are by no means an exceptionally young squad in comparison, but Manson hopes to see steady improvement among the group as experience of Highland League level action builds.
“We’ve got a good mix of ages, but in the summer we brought in seven or eight new faces, not necessarily young lads, but inexperienced at this level,” he stressed.
“The hope certainly is that they will keep improving as a group as they adapt to the Highland League.”
Manson is an admirer of the Wee County, but is looking forward to seeing his troops test themselves on the Station Park surface.
“Nairn have good quality and it certainly won’t be easy over there, especially with the confidence they will have taken from beating a Championship side in the cup,” he said.
“They will be buzzing I’m sure, but if we play to our strengths we have more than enough to make it difficult for them and gain a result.”
Davie Allan remains on the long-term recovery trail after his serious knee issue sustained a year-and-a-half ago, but is making good progress.
Wick will also be without Marek Macadie, who has suffered a hairline fracture in his elbow and is not being rushed back prematurely.
Similar caution is being shown with Brandon Sinclair after his hamstring issue and both players will be excused the trip to Nairn this weekend.
