Cove absence doesn't guarantee cup run, warns Scorries boss McKenna
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WICK Academy boss Tom McKenna is urging his troops to go one step further than last year in the Highland League Cup – starting with Huntly on Saturday.
The Scorries welcome the Black-and-Golds to Harmsworth Park for their first-round clash, with McKenna hoping for another cup run.
Last season Wick reached the semi-finals before falling to Cove Rangers – the eventual winners.
With Cove no longer in the Highland League, having elevated themselves to the SPFL, the remaining teams will be anticipating the chance to land silverware for themselves.
However, as far as Academy are concerned, even if Cove are absent there is a lot of hard work to be done if they’re to have a chance of cup glory this season.
"It would be nice to go on another cup run like we did last season,” McKenna said.
"Cove are not here but I'm sure other teams will be looking to cash in on their absence in this competition.
"We won't be guaranteed a run to the latter stages just because the team that knocked us out last year are playing in another league.
“However, this competition is the only chance remaining for us this season to win some silverware.”
The last time Wick faced Huntly in the cup was in 2010 when Davie Allan's strike in the last minute of extra time gave the Scorries a 2-1 win.
Huntly won 3-2 when the sides met in the league at Christie Park at the start of last month.
McKenna added: "I'll happily take the 2010 cup tie again, to be honest.
"Obviously I'd rather the job be done within 90 minutes but I don't mind how we get to the next round as long as we're there.
This competition is the only chance remaining for us this season to win some silverware.
"Huntly, though, as we found out in the league fixture down there, will not be a pushover.
"They're good in the wide areas and they play to their strengths in a direct manner.
"As we're not blessed with great height, the set-pieces could be an issue for us.
"We have to try and nullify any threat that they bring with them and ensure we bring our own qualities to the fore."
Wick will be without Grant Steven, Marc Macgregor and Danny Mackay.
Ross Allan could be a doubt after pulling up in training earlier this week with a suspected hamstring injury. However, Sam Mackay looks set to make a return.
One name that has been missing from the team sheet throughout the season is defender Michael Steven.
He was last seen in Academy colours during the first half of a pre-season friendly against an Inverness Caley Thistle XI where the referee demanded McKenna substitute him before he was sent off.
McKenna said: "I don't know what the situation is with him. I've not heard anything either from Michael himself or from anyone else at the club.
"I think he's just wanted some time away from the game and has taken a break from football."
