Changes likely as Wick Academy manager looks for reaction against Rothes
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Wick Academy will be looking to make amends for their humbling 8-0 loss to Clachnacuddin in the Highland League when they take on Rothes at Harmsworth Park on Saturday.
Manager Gary Manson is likely to make changes to the starting line-up as he seeks a reaction to last weekend's "abject performance" at Grant Street Park.
Manson acknowledged the Scorries had been hit by a "perfect storm", with nine players missing for the Clach game and a lack of competitive action in recent weeks.
"If the players have got anything about them they'll be turning up in their numbers on Tuesday and Thursday [at training] to prove that they should still be warranting a place in the team," he said.
"We should have a lot of players back for Saturday. Obviously I'll need to see how training goes but I imagine there will be a few changes to the starting eleven for the Rothes game."
When the teams met at Mackessack Park in August, Rothes ran out 3-0 winners with two goals from Jake Thomson and one by Greg Morrison.
"Rothes have got some really good players and they've got a way of playing that's slightly different to other teams you come up against in the league," Manson said.
"They're maybe not quite as strong as they have been over the last two or three years but they're still well organised and they're a team that can cause anyone problems on their day.
"After our last result I have no idea what to expect, to be honest.
"When we turn up on Saturday are we going to get the same abject performance? Or, like I say, have they got something about them that they want to show that it [the Clach defeat] isn't their real form and their real ability as players?
"You're hoping for a reaction, you're expecting a reaction, but whether we get one we'll just need to wait and see.
"You feel sorry for any Wick fan that was at that game. It wasn't good viewing.
"Hopefully the players take a bit of accountability, turn up to training twice this week and show what they're all about, and then come Saturday they'll put in a much better performance."
Clachnacuddin's goals came from Harry Nicolson, Harry Hennem (2), Troy Cooper (2) and Lewis Mackenzie with a hat-trick.
It was Academy's heaviest defeat to Clach since joining the Highland League in 1994.
The Lilywhites are now level on points with the 15th-placed Scorries, who have played four games fewer and have a slightly better goal difference.
Rothes, who lost 3-0 at home to Nairn County last Saturday, are 10th.
All but one of Academy's 12 points this season have been earned in home games. They have beaten Clachnacuddin, Forres Mechanics and Inverurie Locos at Harmsworth Park and drawn at home to Deveronvale and Huntly, while their first away point came in mid-December in a goalless encounter with Deveronvale.
Highland League results: Clachnacuddin 8, Wick Academy 0; Forres Mechanics 1, Buckie Thistle 8; Fraserburgh 3, Keith 0; Lossiemouth 1, Huntly 3; Rothes 0, Nairn County 3.
Fixtures for Saturday, January 6: Brora Rangers v Lossiemouth; Buckie Thistle v Formartine United; Clachnacuddin v Turriff United; Deveronvale v Fraserburgh; Huntly v Inverurie Locos; Keith v Forres Mechanics; Nairn County v Brechin City; Wick Academy v Rothes (3pm).
