Wick Academy looking to make up ground on top seven as they visit Formartine United
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Wick Academy will be aiming to make up ground on the top seven in the Highland League when they take on Formartine United at North Lodge Park on Saturday.
The Scorries' player/manager Gary Manson acknowledges that when they're at their best the Pitmedden side are capable of beating any other team in the division, although he says they have a tendency to be inconsistent.
Paul Lawson's men won 4-1 when the teams met in Wick at the start of December, but Academy have a good away record against Formartine. Eight points separate the clubs, with eighth-placed Academy having played two games more.
Manson said: “On their day they're up there with the very best but they just seem to be quite hot and cold. You just never know what you're going to get when Formartine play.
“On their day they have players to hurt anyone. It's a very experienced back four and they've got a good goalkeeper.
“It has got all the ingredients of a very good team, and on their day they'll beat anyone in the league, but they just seem to be a little bit inconsistent – as they have been, not just with this squad of players, but since they came into the Highland League.
“They seem to have thrown money at getting big-name Highland League players since the very first year they came in, but they've just never got over that line to win the league title. But they've always had a good squad.
“If we beat them, we get to within five points so it would be good to get a win.”
Danny Mackay is suspended after his red card against Rothes, and Joe Anderson looks set to miss out again, but fellow central defender Andy Hardwick will be available.
“We'll see how Joe is at training but I would think Saturday will come too soon for him," Manson said. “But we'll have Andy available so that strengthens our options in the back line. Apart from that we'll be as you were.”
Sean Campbell and Ryan Campbell remain sidelined with injuries but Alan Farquhar has returned to training following the knee damage he sustained in August. He hopes to get back in the squad before the campaign finishes.
Manson said: “We'll keep building him up and hopefully he'll get a couple of games before the end of the season.”
Storm Malik wiped out the entire Highland League fixture list last Saturday, including Academy's away game against leaders Fraserburgh.
“Looking at the forecast, it was going to be wild so it was a logical decision – it would have been an absolute nightmare trying to play football in those conditions," Manson said.
“You never want a game called off. It would have been good to test ourselves against the team who are at the top of the league and see where we are, but we have another tough test this Saturday so we'll just need to get on with that."
The head-to-head record shows that Wick Academy have fared better in away games against Formartine than at Harmsworth Park. Since the Pitmedden side joined the Highland League in 2009, there have been five wins each and one draw when the teams have met at North Lodge Park.
Matches at Wick have resulted in three wins for the Scorries, three draws and six victories for Formartine.
Manson said: “We do have a good record down there. It might have something to do with the fact that it's a nice big, wide-open pitch and it's always in immaculate condition. It has probably suited us in years gone by so hopefully Saturday is the same.”
The Scorries have won 2-1 on each of their last two visits to North Lodge Park, in August 2018 and December 2019. Gordon MacNab was on the scoresheet in both those games.
MacNab also got Wick's goal when Formartine won 4-1 at Harmsworth Park in December 2021. Kevin Hanratty, Ryan Spink, Tyler Mykyta and Scott Lisle were on target for the visitors.
After that setback, Academy went on a run of six games in a row.
- Highland League fixtures for Saturday: Brora Rangers v Inverurie Locos; Clachnacuddin v Rothes; Formartine United v Wick Academy; Forres Mechanics v Brechin City; Fort William v Huntly; Lossiemouth v Deveronvale; Nairn County v Buckie Thistle; Strathspey Thistle v Fraserburgh; Turriff United v Keith.
