Derby win would be perfect start for Wick
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A DERBY is the ideal way to open up the season, Wick Academy boss Tom McKenna insists.
Wick finally get their Highland League campaign under way with a trip to Dudgeon Park where old foes Brora Rangers lie in wait.
The derby of the north is always a tasty affair and a match, be you Scorrie or Cattach, that fans look for first when the fixtures for the new season are released.
The corresponding game last season saw a night of penalties as Sam Mackay scored one spot-kick and missed with the other. Academy received another penalty and this time Craig Gunn converted.
Steven Mackay got a shot from 12 yards out as his penalty halved the deficit for Brora before Kyle Macleod reminded those attending what a goal from open play looked like with his injury-time header to secure a 2-2 draw.
Lest we forget to mention the small matter of a mass brawl between the two sets of players and Brora’s Jamie Ross being sent off in a separate incident at the end.
So a quiet affair this fixture is not, but that suits McKenna just fine.
He said: “We’re definitely looking forward to this one – no doubt about that.
“Maybe the league could have given us an easier opening fixture – say, for example, at home against a team that finished below us in the table last season.
“The opportunity would be there to pick up three points which would give us a lift but, on the reverse side, a defeat to such a team could dent morale.
“With a derby, the lift the boys would get from winning this one would be tremendous – especially when you consider that Brora are one of the top teams in the league.
“The last time we played them, it was a pretty tasty affair but that’s been and gone. They’ve got a new manager [Steven Mackay] who will no doubt imprint his own philosophy on their team.
“However, we might just do a bit of penalty practice in our final training session just in case there is a repeat of that game.
“Brora I believe might have a few faces missing due to injury but we’ve our own worries as well. Ross Allan is still injured and we don’t have a date as to when we can expect him back.
“Plus we’ve got Joe Steven suspended. If you remember that red card he got against Cove at the back end of last season, the suspension for that has carried over into this one.”
As it’s a derby, McKenna has issued a plea to the Scorries faithful to get on any buses heading south or into their cars to ensure that Academy have the proverbial 12th man.
He added: “It would be great if they travelled down in their numbers and make it a ‘home game’ for us.
“Their support gives the boys a lift and if they can create a great atmosphere then it will give the lads a massive boost.”
Academy lost 3-2 in their final pre-season match against Lowland League outfit Cumbernauld Colts.
The Scorries took a while to shake off the effects of the long bus journey and found themselves three down inside the first 35 minutes. Academy hit back through Davie Allan and Craig Gunn.
Brora were in Fife for Kelty Hearts’ summer tournament. After defeating Clydebank 2-1, Brora were beaten 4-1 by Kelty in a game that was marred by a double injury to Colin Williamson and James Pickles in a clash of heads.
Ex-Academy player Pickles was taken to hospital for 15 stitches in his forehead.
