Home atmosphere at Harmsworth Park can made difference for Wick Academy against Falkirk in Scottish Cup
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Gary Manson believes a youthful Wick Academy side can feed off the influence of a trusty old campaigner against Falkirk – Harmsworth Park itself.
The Scorries’ player-manager knows his team faces a daunting task in trying to create a Scottish Cup shock in front of one of their biggest home crowds in years.
After years in the doldrums, the full-time Bairns have ambitions of re-establishing themselves as a force in Scotland.
They have built an experienced team, well-organised under seasoned boss John McGlynn, with a strong winning mentality.
Manson, though, knows Wick’s northerly, weather-beaten location, the 129-year-old ground and sloping pitch, and a raucous home crowd could all act as a leveller tomorrow.
Falkirk are expected to take from four to 700 fans north, while Wick’s home crowd rarely fail to show in good numbers on these occasions.
Manson travelled to watch McGlynn’s men dominate Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago and gained a good insight into their strengths, as well as one or two weaknesses.
“When I went down there, there were 5500 at the game, which says a lot about Falkirk,” Manson said.
“The week before they sold out against Dunfermline.
“I could just as easily have just got reports, but I always feel you’re better to cast an eye on them. They absolutely dominated that game. Edinburgh sat in and tried to play for a draw. Watching it, though, you can spot little bits and pieces that we will try to exploit.
“While I came away knowing how good they are, how neat and tidy they are on the ball, it will be a different ball game when they come up to Harmsworth Park. They play on astroturf at home, so it will be completely different for them.
“We’ve got aspects we’re working on and hopefully they come off on Saturday and we can cause an upset.
“It might be a bit strange, from our perspective, because I think we’re expecting four or five hundred Falkirk fans.
“It should make for a really good atmosphere.
“Our fans, on occasions like this, always come out in their numbers and really give the boys great backing. I just hope we can give them something to shout about, put in a performance, and get them involved in the game because it will help our guys, no question.
“The fans will play a big part.
“We have quite a lot of new players and young boys in our team now and this will be the first time they have experienced a really big atmosphere at Harmsworth.
“Hopefully, they rise to the occasion as well.”
Manson has added Orkney-based attackers Toby Macleod and Jamie Flett to a squad still missing long-term injured David Allan and Brandon Sinclair, plus recent crock Sean Campbell.
Alan Farquhar could feature in the squad for the first time in three months after recovering from a knee problem.
