Manager pleased with Wick squad’s fitness after back-to-back pre-season wins
Gary Manson has become all too aware that “there is no such thing as a full squad” as Wick Academy approach the opening game of their 2025/26 Highland League campaign.
The manager made the wry observation as he confirmed that half a dozen or more players are set to miss the Scorries’ trip to Banff to take on Deveronvale because of work commitments or injuries.
Last season’s top scorer, Kyle Henderson, is one of the casualties.
However, Manson is pleased with the squad’s fitness after back-to-back victories in pre-season friendlies at Harmsworth Park.
The Scorries won 2-1 against a youthful Inverness Caledonian Thistle side last Wednesday before beating a Ross County XI 3-0 on Saturday.
George Ewing made the breakthrough five minutes from half-time against the young Staggies.
Euan Kennedy fired in the second on 55 minutes and Marc Macgregor completed the scoring 10 minutes later with a great shot from the edge of the box.
Manson said: “Wednesday was a really warm night and it took a lot out of the guys. It was their first game for a wee while, so they were going into Saturday’s game a little bit fatigued.
“It was a really good week’s work to get two 90 minutes in against young, energetic teams.”
It’s possible Manson will be adding to his squad.
“We’ve picked up a couple of knocks and niggles along the way, so we’ll need to see how they clear up first and take it from there,” he said. “There might be one or two coming in yet.”
Academy’s first pre-season game, a 2-1 win against Orkney in Dounby, was spoiled by what Manson called “ridiculously windy” conditions.
A scheduled friendly against Invergordon ended up being cancelled.
“It was a little bit stop-start with the friendlies during pre-season but we had a really good week last week with two good run-outs,” the manager said.
“I said to the guys after the game on Saturday that you’re coming up against fit teenagers and we finished the game really strongly. We looked twice as fit as they did, to be honest, so that bodes well for the season.
“They’ve put in a lot of work in pre-season training and friendlies and hopefully that will stand us in good stead for the season ahead.”
The Scorries start the campaign with two away games in the space of a few days, as they take on Vale at Princess Royal Park on Saturday before going to Grant Street in Inverness the following Wednesday to play Clachnacuddin.
Manson, who has been Wick manager since 2020, added: “There is no such thing as a full squad, I’ve learned that over the years. Unfortunately we’re missing six, maybe seven, for Saturday.
“It’s not an ideal start personnel-wise, but it’ll give an opportunity for the guys that are there on Saturday to stake their claim for the shirt.
“Kyle got stretchered off against Caley but it turns out it’s not that bad. Hopefully it’ll just be three or four weeks, I would think.”
Davie Allan is also among those who are struggling. However, goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher will be back for the league opener.