Cup run can kick-start Wick Academy's season, manager Gary Manson says
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Wick Academy manager Gary Manson stressed that a good cup run can play an important part in strengthening his team's morale as his side are set to face Ross County in the first round of the North of Scotland Cup on Wednesday evening.
Having more than a week to prepare for the tie after a 3-0 loss to Rothes in the Highland League, Manson insisted that the cup competition can help build momentum and confidence heading into the rest of the season.
"Nobody suddenly starts playing perfect unless you're at the top of the table, but it's a cup we're looking to do well in," he said.
"We've got a home tie in the first round and if we get through that we've got another home tie as well. There's not many teams in the North of Scotland Cup so you can find yourself in a semi-final after a couple of games. It'll be a good challenge and a good opportunity for us to impress the crowd and really kick-start our season."
Having been without a game for a week and a half close to the start of the season, Manson is keen to get a run of games – and results – together.
"We've had a couple of training sessions and we've made the most of it but we want a bit of momentum and continuity at this stage of the season," he said. "Hopefully the boys are fresh and ready to go on Wednesday.
"Saying that, unfortunately Mark MacAdie was injured in our last game against Rothes with a dislocated elbow which hindered us then, so he'll be out for this game and for another six or seven weeks at least after that.
"He's a big loss for us but we're helped by a couple of returning boys. James Mackay should come back into the squad and we've got Kyle Henderson who should also return too. Apart from that, our aim is to shape up in a similar way to our last game against Rothes."
With plenty of time to prepare for the fixture, Manson stated that he hopes the recovery period will allow him to give minutes to more experienced heads, instead of solely relying on youth to give him an edge in the match.
"We'll be going into the game as strong as we possibly can. We certainly won't be treating it as a game to experiment or give young boys a game for the sake of it. If the young boys we've been training with impress like they have, we'll give them a game, otherwise we're looking to go out and win a competitive match."
On the opposition, Manson was aware of the threat that Ross County posed, but he insisted his Wick side would be prepared for any formalities regarding the team they decide to select.
"Our game plan depends on who they bring up. We've got no idea of the team they'll play, whether that's the under-18s, under-20s or some fringe first-team players. We played their under 18s boys in pre-season and it was a good game in which we came out on top eventually, but it'll be a good test for us against some really decent young and fit boys who are all keen to impress."
Entering the competition with a chance of silverware becoming that little bit closer if they make it into the next round, Wick Academy's manager remained unfazed at his prospects of winning a trophy, but with a long affiliation with the club, Manson admitted the moment, if it did arrive, would undoubtedly be a special one.
"Wick Academy has only won one trophy since they joined the Highland League around 30 or so years ago, so it's not ideal," Manson said. "Obviously to win a trophy would be great and would mean a lot for the club and the fans from the area, but we'll have to take care of Wednesday night first and not look ahead or past that in the slightest.
"The talk about winning trophies can begin in the next couple of weeks if we get through into the next round. Of course it would be a fantastic moment, but we're not going to get too far ahead of ourselves."
