Scorries face Thurso in local derby
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CONCENTRATION is what Wick Academy need to develop if they are to be a success in the Highland League this season.
Manager Davie Kirkwood is looking for his side to maintain focus throughout 90 minutes as it faces a local derby against Thurso FC at Sir George’s Park tomorrow.
The Scorries impressed their new manager in their 5-2 demolition of Orkney AFA in Kirkwall last Saturday.
Academy raced to a five-goal lead before half-time with a David Allan hat-trick together with goals from Sam Mackay and Gary Weir.
However, Kirkwood criticised his players for taking their foot off the pedal and allowing the island side to score two consolation goals.
He is calling on his side to put in a high-quality performance for the entire game.
“The lack of concentration in the second half was a disappointing aspect from what was otherwise a good game for us,” he told the John O’Groat Journal.
“During the training session on Tuesday night we had a chance to evaluate how the game went and study the positives and negatives. Hopefully we can get a 90-minute performance to be pleased with rather than just a 45-minute one.”
He added: “I have no real issues with any area of the team so far. But they do need to develop a mentality of what they are going to do with the football.
“It can’t just be about winning possession and attacking all the time by playing pretty football.
“Teams will be looking to come out at us and we need to figure out how to shut up shop and break them down when we are on top of the game.”
Last year, Thurso met Wick in the North of Scotland Cup at the Scorries’ home ground of Harmsworth Park where the Highland League side needed a penalty shoot-out to progress to the quarter-finals.
This is a fact not lost on Kirkwood and, despite being a friendly, he is taking nothing for granted.
“Every local derby always kicks up a bit of dust whether it is competitive or not. It is just a matter of who’s got the nerves to win the game. We are still in the experimental stage and we still have a few players on holiday. But I’ll be looking at trying to stick to the same formation and give everybody a chance on the field.”
Last season the Vikings picked up three trophies and won 13 of their last 15 games in the North Caledonian League.
However, a poor start cost them the chance to complete the quadruple as they finished third.
Manager Stevie Reid is optimistic for the coming season and is looking forward to testing his side against Highland League opposition.
“There is a gulf in standard between the NCL and the Highland League,” he said. “However, we believe that teams like ourselves, as well as Halkirk and Golspie, can hold our own against some of these sides.
“We have a few first-team players such as Gary McGregor and Kyle Ross who will be missing on Saturday. However, it is not too important as it is just a friendly and it gives us a chance to try some new faces.”
He added: “There is always an added incentive when Thurso play Wick. We took them all the way in the North of Scotland Cup last season and were unlucky not to win.
“With Davie Kirkwood in charge, the players will be trying to prove a point on Saturday and we will have to look out for that too. Caithness football is on a bit of high at the moment with our teams performing well in the NCL and I hope that will continue this season.”
