Scorries ready for fight to defend fortress Harmsworth
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WHEN the going gets tough, the tough get going.
The saying rings true this weekend as the Highland League spotlight burns brightly on Wick Academy after their stunning return to form with a 7-0 win over Buckie Thistle.
The Scorries have another tough test ahead against Deveronvale with the pair’s last encounter resulting in a 6-0 drubbing of Academy.
Should Vale manage to overcome Academy’s strong home record then it would potentially put them in the top spot.
Harmsworth boss Barry Wilson is well aware Vale are one of the top contenders for the title – but so is Wick, said the manager.
“I’m really looking forward to the game as we’ve played many of the top contenders even in my short time in charge,” he said. “We’ve had Formartine, Cove and Forres so it’s been a tough run but the good thing is I’ll have seen them all.
“So far I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen but footballing wise we’re up there with the best of them. Saying that, we know it’s going to be really tough.”
Similarly tough will be knowing whether to change any players from last week’s Jags killing squad.
Regular starting midfielder Sam Mackay sat last Saturday out due to suspension. His one-game ban now complete, it remains up to Wilson if he gets his jersey back for tomorrow’s 3pm kick-off.
“I’ve got decisions to make as Sam Mackay was suspended last week and missed all the fun,” said Wilson.
“We know we’ve got a good squad here and that we can call on anyone and you know they are going to do a good job.”
For the game against Buckie the gaffer pulled in James Pickles and Lukasz Geruzel which Wilson said was key ahead of losing Gary Weir over the festive double-header with Brora Rangers.
Weir is off to Australia and will miss former manager Davie Kirkwood’s return to Harmsworth with his new charges.
Fitness for a replacement is crucial.
“I needed to give Lukasz some game time last weekend,” explained Wilson. “And he gave us something different and caused Buckie problems and allowed our other guys to play.”
Wilson said the game plan for the foreseeable future is consistency and that means picking the right players for the right games. This could mean a few changes to the starting line-up.
“Having a full squad for team selection is great but it does give me a headache in the fact that we can only give strips to 16 of the 18 or 19,” he said.
“I feel for boys like Stewart Ross and Bryan McKiddie who haven’t really featured for me much yet but it’s been difficult to leave other players out as they have done such a great job for me so far.”
Also doing a great job is Vale manager Charlie Charlesworth who took up the reins in June and has this season propelled the Banffshire outfit to third place.
After recently dropping out of the Scottish Cup fourth round to Raith Rovers, Charlesworth’s lot bounced back against Strathspey Thistle last weekend with a 2-0 league win.
Charlesworth said it wasn’t the ideal performance but they accepted the three points and are keen to kick it up a gear with their trip to Wick.
“It should be game of the day I would have thought,” he said. “Obviously Barry and Tichie [Hughes, assistant manager] have got the team working well and sitting at the top of the league.
“We’re in good form as well so I’m expecting a technically good game of football. I certainly wouldn’t like to call it.”
Despite a few injury problems over the past couple of weeks, Charlesworth expects to be at nearly full strength with the only real doubt being captain Scott Fraser who picked up a groin strain in the cup run.
Making his debut appearance last weekend was the second poaching in six months from Lossiemouth with the arrival of Colin Charlesworth. Billed as a talented right-sided midfielder and wide right player he is expected to add further bite to Vale’s offence.
“We appreciate we can’t afford to come away from Wick with nothing on Saturday,” said Charlesworth senior.
“We’re in good form and in a confident mood and playing against Wick should make for a very entertaining game.”
