Trip to take on Strathspey Thistle will be 'a step into the unknown' for Wick Academy
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Wick Academy manager Gary Manson says this weekend's trip to Grantown-on-Spey to take on Strathspey Thistle will be "a step into the unknown".
The Jags, who weren't able to play any matches during the Covid-disrupted 2020/21 season, have a new manager in former Forres stalwart Charlie Brown. They began the new Highland League campaign with a draw at Huntly last Saturday, while Academy's game at Forres also ended all square.
“Strathspey are one of those teams that seem to have a large turnover of players nearly every summer, especially with this long lay-off that we've had," Manson said. "They've just recently got a new manager in Charlie Brown as well so it's a bit of a step into the unknown with regard to their personnel and how they'll play.
“With a new manager and new players they could line up in any kind of shape and play in any kind of way. They went away to Huntly and got a 1-1 draw at the weekend, and they beat Forres 1-0 in their last pre-season friendly, so they'll be a tough test.
“Charlie Brown is a player I know really well but this is his first step into management on his own, so we'll just need to wait and see – it'll be a case of sussing them out in the first few minutes and seeing if we need to adapt.
“Although we've had the better of the games against them, I don't think we can take that into account this weekend because obviously they have improved a fair bit. Going by their recent results they will be a very good side.”
Jack Halliday's late equaliser secured a 1-1 draw for the Scorries in their league opener after Lee Fraser had put Forres ahead in the first half. Manson was pleased with the way his players performed at Mosset Park and felt that a share of the points was the least they deserved.
“If we were to get the breaks in front of goal this Saturday, and get the same performance level, then I think we'll be looking good," Manson said.
“I'm confident in the guys after seeing how organised they were, how enthusiastic and aggressive, and their quality on the ball. If we take that level of performance and endeavour into this weekend then I'm sure Strathspey will be more worried about us than we will worry about them.”
The Academy squad will be along similar lines to the one that travelled to Forres, with two of their most experienced players – Davie Allan and Richard Macadie – still struggling with injuries they picked up in pre-season friendlies.
“I'm anticipating it will be more or less the same squad," Manson said. "I'm still waiting on Davie Allan to see what he's like this weekend but I'm expecting him to be out.
“Davie has not been able to train recently. He came down on Saturday and did the warm-up but he was never going to go on the pitch, so he'll be a major doubt for this weekend as well.
“Richard is long-term – I would imagine we won't be seeing him until at least two or three months.”
The last encounter between Academy and Strathspey was in March 2019 when the Scorries came from behind to win 2-1 at Harmsworth Park. When the following season (2019/20) was cut short by the start of the pandemic, Academy had yet to play either a home or away fixture against the Jags.
Meanwhile, Manson says he has a certain amount of sympathy for Fort William following the news that the Lochaber side will have to play all their matches away from home this term.
The Lochaber side must fulfil each of their league and Highland League Cup fixtures at their opponents' grounds due to the poor condition of their pitch at Claggan Park. The matter came to a head at the end of last week following an inspection at the park which has seen a high number of postponements over the years.
Fort accepted they were in breach of a rule that places a requirement on clubs to ensure their pitch is in good condition and provided with an efficient and effective drainage system.
Manson said: “I do have sympathy for them in terms of the football team and the management side. Having to play away from home every single game is not easy.
“But on the flip side, in terms of the pitch, they've had 18 months to get it sorted so I don't know what the problem is.”
Academy were originally scheduled to travel to Fort William on October 2 this year, with Fort making the return trip on February 12.
- The Highland League fixture between Brora Rangers and Rothes, scheduled for this Saturday, has been postponed as a mark of respect following the sudden death of the Speysiders' secretary Garry Davies.
