International flavour for second-round tie
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IT’S north versus north in an internationally flavoured tie for the Scorries in the second round of the Scottish Cup.
Wick Academy will travel to the most northerly town in England for the next stage of the competition against Berwick Rangers.
The draw was made on Monday afternoon following Wick’s triumph over Edinburgh side Spartans in the first round on Saturday.
Academy shot to the second round of the cup with their 2-0 win over the highly rated East of Scotland League at Ainslie Park – the squad’s first away success in the Scottish Cup since the 4-1 win at Girvan in October 2009.
Academy manager Davie Kirkwood said although they missed out on the dream tie with Rangers, it was still a good draw.
"At least we got one of the Rangers," he said. "Berwick have a good setup and are a strong, professional side but we also have a good chance against them.
"We’ll be prepared for it and we’ll just see where it take us." He added: "We’ll give it our best shot."
Kirkwood said he was relieved they did not get a Highland League side as it will allow the squad to gain a different experience.
As for the win on Saturday, which has helped Wick along the long road to Hampden, Kirkwood said he did his homework and his squad put it to good use.
"The reports we got back said that they were a bit susceptible to set-pieces and they’d lost a few goals that way, so we put the pressure on," he said.
"We had a flurry of corner kicks and we capitalised on that. We were delighted to come away from Edinburgh with a 2-0 win." The usual cup excitement was present on the day as the game was stopped for around five minutes in the first half following a bad clash of heads between Michael Steven and Alistair MacKinnon.
Steven had a bandage put round his head while MacKinnon was taken off the field and sent for stitches before returning in the second half.
"They had a player off the park and Joe [Michael Steven] decided that he didn’t want stitches so you can sort of compliment him on that," said Kirkwood.
"It was a bit crazy at times – but that’s what Joe is like."
The Scorries boss praised the black-and-white army of fans that travelled down and the "totally professional" performance the squad put in over the 90 minutes.
"We knew they were going to be a great side and they were," he said.
"I don’t think any other Highland Football League side has beaten Spartans in their history.
"We went away from home and, to be honest, I think we could have come home with more." Spartans manager Douglas Samuel was unavailable for comment.
Wick now face a 318-mile trip to Shielfield Park to take on Berwick Rangers, who are currently ninth in the Scottish Third Division and drew 1-1 with Rangers on Sunday. The tie will be played on Saturday, September 29.
Scottish Cup – second round – full draw – Cove Rangers v Golspie Sutherland, Fraserburgh v East Stirlingshire, Forres Mech v Rangers, Clachnacuddin v Formartine Utd, Civil Service Strollers v Turriff Utd, Montrose v Shotts BA/Edinburgh City, Buckie Thistle/Rothes v Annan Ath, Berwick Rangers v Wick Academy, Selkirk v Vale of Leithen, Inverurie Loco Works v Huntly/Wigtown and Bladnoch, Deveronvale v Peterhead, Elgin City v St Cuthbert Wanderers, Dalbeattie Star v Stirling Albion, Queen’s Park v Irvine Meadow, Stirling Uni v Bonnyrigg Rose, Clyde v Nairn County.
