Buckie ‘there for the taking’ says Kirkwood
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HEADING to Moray to take on the Highland League champions for the past two seasons, Davie Kirkwood wants his side to attack from the kick-off.
Weather permitting, Wick Academy will travel to Victoria Park to face Buckie Thistle where the Scorries will be aiming to make it four wins out of their last five.
Academy were on the sidelines last weekend as bad weather made Harmsworth Park unplayable for the tie against this year’s surprise package, Lossiemouth.
The manager used his extra free time to visit Dudgeon Park where he took notes on Brora Rangers during their 5-2 defeat to Cove Rangers, ahead of the clubs’ festive derby double-header at the end of the month.
Academy are still in 12th position thanks to other results going their way.
But Kirkwood said he has set his sights higher. With Deveronvale, Formartine United and Turriff United just above them by a few points, he’s aiming to be in the top 10 by the new year.
“We played them at the start of the season where we gave them a bit of a turnover. Buckie Thistle are the defending champions but I think that they are there for the taking,” he said.
“They got a good win last Saturday when they came from behind to beat Clachnacuddin, but we go there full of confidence knowing we can win. If there is one thing we know how to do it’s put the ball in the back of the net.We’re not going to sit back and defend against them, that’s not the kind of team I want.”
He continued: “We as a team are built for one thing and one thing only, and that is going forward.
“That is the kind of football I like to see, not just as a manager but as a fan.”
Wick are still without Martin Gunn and James More, who are suffering from long-term injuries, but Grant Steven should start after recovering from a hamstring problem which occurred in the warm-up before the 2-1 win at Clach.
Buckie Thistle have lost five matches so far this season – the same number of defeats they incurred when they retained the trophy last May, and this is a major disappointment in the club’s quest to be the first side to win three consecutive titles since Huntly in 1995.
The Jags are currently 13 points behind league leaders Forres Mechanics, having played a game more than their Moray neighbours.
But club secretary Albert Phimister said that everyone is still confident they can finish on top at the end of the season.
“This season has been disappointing for us, but we have full confidence in the ability of our manager and our players,” he said.
“We have one of the biggest squads of any team in the Highland League and are also at full strength for the game on Saturday. The club is starting to get into its stride, with a good win against Clachnacuddin last weekend. Despite losing to Cove it was a very confident performance where we suffered from two late goals.
“Wick have a talented young side, but we are confident that our experience will be the ?difference.”
