Wick Academy manager Gary Manson believes Fraserburgh will become Highland League champions
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WICK Academy manager Gary Manson doesn’t think anyone is capable of taking points off Fraserburgh and stopping them winning the Highland League this season.
He rated the Buchan outfit as the best team they have faced this season after suffering a 5–0 drubbing at Bellslea last Saturday.
Wick were only able to take 14 players to Fraserburgh on Saturday and found themselves 3–0 down at half time with goals from Kieran Simpson, Logan Watt and Sean Butcher.
The Scorries defence held firm until the 80th minute with Butcher finding his second of the game before Campbell scored in the 89th minute.
Manson says he can’t see anyone being capable of taking points from Fraserburgh in their remaining matches to prevent them winning the Highland League for the first time since 2002.
“They are the best team that we have played this season,” admitted Manson.
“They only have four games left and I can’t see them slipping up.
“They are coming up against teams that have nothing to play for.
“We knew how good they were and are a well oiled machine.
“Fraserburgh have all the motivation to win a title and if they only have four games to play, I can’t see them slipping up.
“I can’t see Buckie Thistle slipping up either and I think the title will be decided on the final day.
“But I can’t see either team slipping up with their remaining fixtures.”
Manson admitted the scoreline was disappointing, but could not argue the gulf between the two teams on the day.
“We were taking on a team that were on a good run and are going for a title with all the motivation in the world,” said Manson.
“Meanwhile, we are sitting mid-table with four games to play and going down there with just 12 fit players, including myself.
“We were in the wrong place at the wrong time, they were miles better than us on the day.
“Sometimes you have to put your hands up and say you were beaten by the better team.
“Things might have been different if we had the squad we had at the start of the season.
“But we were beaten by the better team and that happens.”
Wick Academy remain on course to finish in eighth place with three games still to play with their next clash at Inverurie on Saturday.
Manson says its remains the aim to finish in eighth and a top-half finish would be a positive result for this season.
“I have never known a season like it with players being unavailable through injury and suspension as well as through Covid and work reasons.
“It has been a real struggle to get a consistent squad where there has been up to six changes every week.
“It has been a struggle to get any consistency with selection, so if we finish eighth it will be viewed as a successful season.”
