Wick Academy have brought their list of new signings to five ahead of the Highland League season by recruiting forward Kyle Henderson and midfielder Marc Coghill.

The pair, who have impressed for Halkirk United in the North Caledonian League, are the latest to agree two-year deals at Harmsworth Park.

Manager Gary Manson has made it clear he wants more strength in depth than in the 2022/23 campaign when Academy were hit by a succession of injury problems and suspensions and ended up 16th in the table.

Henderson (24) was Halkirk's top scorer last term.

Manson said: "Kyle is a good player – he is coming on in leaps and bounds these last two or three years, so it's about time he made the step up and I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

"He can play anywhere across the front three or in behind. He's versatile, he's quick, he's strong, he's got a good left foot and he can finish as well. He'll add a lot to the squad this year."

Coghill (27) was the Anglers' player of the year.

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Manson said: "Marc will add different attributes to the squad. He'll be predominantly utilised as a defensive midfielder, someone who will work tirelessly and break things up and try to retrieve the ball for us and then get us moving forward.

"I've been really impressed with Marc's attributes and his work ethic this pre-season. He is well worthy of his contract.

"He has done a few years in the North Caledonian League now so he is really keen to test himself at a higher level. We'll see how he gets on."

Defender Rob McLean and midfield pair James Mackay and Gary Pullen had earlier been unveiled as new signings.

Academy won 1-0 against a youthful Ross County XI in their first pre-season game, and kept two more clean sheets when they faced two North Caledonian sides. The Scorries beat St Duthus 2-0 in Tain, then thumped Thurso 8-0 at Harmsworth Park on Thursday.

However, Saturday's trip to Kirkwall ended in a 3-0 defeat in the annual Ken Green Challenge Cup clash with Orkney.

"We were missing 11 players that I counted up, so it was always going to be a bit of an ask," Manson said. "Even then I think 3-0 flattered them. It was quite a fifty-fifty game.

"It was totally different from Thursday night when we had more of a full-strength team. We performed really well against Thurso."

Henderson scored twice against the Vikings, as did Mark Macadie, with the others coming from Jack Halliday, Ryan Campbell, Brandon Sinclair and trialist Robbie Murray.

Manson said: "Robbie is someone we've been thinking about all summer. We took him in to have a look at him and we might do that again."

Experienced defender Alan Farquhar has been officially named as part of Manson's coaching team alongside Gordon McDonald and James More.

"It's good to have Alan," the manager said. "He knows the club inside out and is a good addition to the team."

Farquhar will continue to be registered as a player.

The Scorries' opening Highland League match is away to Banks O' Dee on Saturday.

Meanwhile, James Mackintosh has rejoined Halkirk United after spending last season with Academy. The Anglers have also brought in Mark Munro and Aaron Wilson ahead of the new North Caledonian League campaign.

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