Manager Gary Manson says Scottish Cup tie against Benburb is a chance for Wick Academy to 'reset'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Gary Manson is bracing himself for opponents who will be "in your face" as Wick Academy prepare to welcome Benburb to Harmsworth Park for Saturday's Scottish Cup second-round tie.
The Scorries' player/manager has been doing his homework on the Glasgow-based West of Scotland league first division outfit, just as he did for the home game against Lochee United in round one.
Academy won that encounter 5-1 and Manson is looking for another good cup display following a run of three consecutive defeats in the Highland League.
Benburb are 13th in their 16-team division. They won 4-0 at Fort William in a preliminary tie before beating Dundonald Bluebell 4-2.
“I've got a good handle on what like they are and the standard they're at and their strengths or weaknesses," Manson said. "I know all about them now.
“I've had match reports on their last two games and I've watched numerous videos of them. They look quite a handy team.
"They're a junior team from the central belt, right in the heart of Glasgow, so you know what you're going to get from them. They'll be loud, they'll be brash, they'll be in your face – and by the looks of them they've got some players that can play as well.
“When you get to the second round of the Scottish Cup you're not going to face a poor team now. We'll need to be on our toes, we'll need to be on our game, we'll need to be on the front foot and take the game to them.
“We're thoroughly looking forward to it.
“It'll be a day out for them. They'll never have travelled this far before and I would expect they'll take a few fans with them.
“You always want a home tie. That's the first thing you want in a cup draw.”
Academy have fitness doubts over midfielder Ryan Campbell and forward Gordon MacNab.
“Ryan took a bad knock on Saturday – we're just waiting to see how his ankle calms down," Manson said.
"We'll give Gordie every chance to make it but time will tell.
“We'll see how he comes through. He is desperate to be involved in the game but it might come too early for him.
“Richard Macadie will be back. Jack Halliday came through his sub appearance on Saturday fine, and he trained okay on Tuesday, so he'll be pushing for a start on Saturday.”
The Scorries were beaten 3-0 at home by Formartine United last weekend, following defeats to Forres Mechanics and Inverurie Locos. They are 14th in the table.
“It's not a great run of form that we're in, but I don't feel we're playing particularly badly," Manson said. "It's not as if we're getting hammered by teams and they're dominating us.
“We've given a good account of ourselves in all the three games that we've been beaten in. The fine margins are letting us down at the moment.
“We're giving soft goals away and we're not playing with enough conviction in the final third for my liking. We're a wee bit powder-puff in the attacking third.
“It's a chance to reset and think of something different rather than the league. It's a one-off cup tie, so hopefully the boys get a reaction from the last three games and look to put it right and get our name in the hat for the third round."
Manson will be encouraging his players to take on shots from distance.
“Everything came together in that Lochee game," he said. "That was a result of taking on shots from outside the box, so hopefully we'll carry that on into this Saturday's cup tie as well.”
Results – Highland League: Brechin City 5, Keith 0; Banks O' Dee 1, Fraserburgh 1; Clachnacuddin 2, Lossiemouth 1; Forres Mechanics 4, Deveronvale 1; Inverurie Locos 0, Huntly 0; Nairn County 0, Brora Rangers 4; Rothes 2, Buckie Thistle 4; Strathspey Thistle 1, Turriff United 6; Wick Academy 0, Formartine United 3.
Fixtures for Saturday – Scottish Cup, round two (ties involving Highland League clubs): Brechin City v Stirling Albion; Buckie Thistle v Open Goal Broomhill; Carnoustie Panmure v Formartine United; Dunipace v Turriff United; Fraserburgh v Stranraer; Wick Academy v Benburb.
Highland League: Brora Rangers v Forres Mechanics; Deveronvale v Clachnacuddin; Inverurie Locos v Lossiemouth; Nairn County v Strathspey Thistle; Rothes v Keith.
