Wick Academy aiming to 'upset the odds' against record-breaking Buckie Thistle
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Player/manager Gary Manson says Wick Academy will be aiming to “upset the odds” on Wednesday night when they become the latest team to try and halt Buckie Thistle’s record-breaking run of victories in the Highland League.
The Jags eased to their 23rd league win in a row with their recent 5-0 victory over Strathspey Thistle but they remain second in the table. Fraserburgh opened up a four-point gap on Saturday while Buckie were losing 2-1 to Brora Rangers in the Highland League Cup.
The Scorries faced Graeme Stewart’s side as recently as March 19, when Buckie ran out 4-0 winners at Harmsworth Park. Max Barry got the only goal of the first half that day, with Lewis MacKinnon, Sam Urquhart and Andy MacAskill on target in the second period.
Forward Davie Allan will be a notable absentee for the midweek trip to Victoria Park following his serious knee injury in the 4-0 loss to Inverurie. Manson hopes defender Danny Mackay will be back in the squad.
Reflecting on the lessons learned from last month’s meeting with Buckie, Manson said: “You always learn when you play against teams and that was the first time we’d come up against them this season. They are very fresh in our memory, seeing as it was only about three weeks ago.
“There is no doubt that we know much more about them now than we did, because they do have two or three new players in their team this season.
“We’ll go down there with a game plan, like we always do, and try to upset the odds and do Fraserburgh a favour and come away with some points.
“But we’re under no illusions how tough it’ll be. In the best of circumstances it’s a tough place to go, but when they’re absolutely flying and we’re going there on a Wednesday night at the end of the season it’s not ideal circumstances.
“But we’ll go down and give it our best shot.”
Buckie's Highland League Cup hopes were dashed by Brora in the final at Station Park in Nairn.
The Sutherland side led 2-0 at the break, courtesy of Jordan MacRae and Colin Williamson. Sam Urquhart reduced the deficit late on.
Buckie boss Stewart was sent off after the full-time whistle for voicing his displeasure to referee Joel Kennedy.
"I never swore at him, I just told him 'you're the worst referee I've ever seen' and he sent me off," Stewart explained.
"That's fine – I wanted to get my piece across. I can't just accept his decisions. I think he is the worst ref I've ever seen, so I told him the truth.
"I thought he could have been a bit more mature and said 'okay, fair enough' but he sent me off which I think shows a bit of pettiness."
An early strike by Ryan Cowie was enough to give Fraserburgh a 1-0 win at home to Nairn County.
Fort William are in danger of dropping out of the league after their 5-1 defeat at Brechin on Saturday ensured they will finish at the foot of the table.
The Lochaber side will face a two-legged relegation play-off against North Junior Super League champions Banks O'Dee at the end of the season.
Fort led at Glebe Park through a Taylor Kelly penalty but Brechin hit back with a Kieran Inglis double, including a penalty, and further goals from Cammie Ross, Michael Paton and Julian Wade.
Huntly and Clachnacuddin drew 2-2 at Christie Park, while it finished 1-1 at Grant Park between Lossiemouth and Strathspey Thistle.
Wednesday's Highland League fixtures: Buckie Thistle v Wick Academy; Clachnacuddin v Forres Mechanics; Fort William v Strathspey Thistle (at Grantown); Huntly v Formartine United; Rothes v Inverurie Locos.
