Wick Academy want to make home advantage count in fourth meeting with Huntly
Wick Academy will be looking to make home advantage count when they come up against Huntly for the fourth time this season.
The Highland League fixture at Harmsworth Park on Saturday follows on from three games between the sides at Huntly’s ground since the start of August.
First, the Black-and-Golds ran out 3-0 winners in a league encounter. The teams met again in the first round of the Scottish Cup at the end of September, when Huntly progressed 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The Scorries’ third trip to Christie Park, in the first round of the Highland League Cup earlier this month, ended in a 5-2 defeat with Huntly netting three times in the closing stages.
Huntly are seventh in the table, while Wick dropped to 15th after their 2-1 home loss to Inverurie Locos a fortnight ago.
Academy manager Gary Manson said: “It can’t be very often you play a team four times in four months. Both teams will know each other inside out now.
“They’ve got the better of us so far this season, so we’ll see if we can make home advantage work. We’ve been down at Huntly three times already, so it’s their turn to come up to us.”
The Scorries are aware of the threat posed by Huntly’s prolific frontman Angus Grant. The 26-year-old scored his 21st goal of the campaign in that Highland League Cup tie on November 9.
“We’ve played them three times now and they are a good side,” Manson said. “They’ve got the in-form player in the league at the moment in Angus Grant.
“If you’ve got someone up top that is banging in over 20 goals by November then you’re always going to be doing quite well.
“He’s had a really good first half of the season. We know all about him.
“We knew he was a good player last year and he has stepped it up a bit this season so far, so we’ll need to keep a really close eye on him on Saturday.”
Manson’s team need to improve their home results after losing their last six matches at Harmsworth Park.
“It’s not just our home form,” the manager said. “Our away form needs to be brought up to scratch as well.
“You just play the game in front of you, whether it’s at home or away. We’ll be looking to get back to winning ways.
“The performance levels haven’t been that bad. We’re competing in every single game we’re playing at the moment – it’s not as if in the last few games we’ve been blown away by anyone.
“Things aren’t really falling for us. Hopefully it’s just a matter of time before the luck turns and results go our way.”
Orkney duo Owen Rendall and Callan Jessiman will be back in the squad and goalkeeper Graeme Williamson is available again too.
The whole Highland League fixture list last Saturday, including Academy’s scheduled trip to Fraserburgh, fell victim to the weather as Storm Bert affected many parts of the country.
Fixtures for Saturday, November 30 – Highland League: Formartine United v Rothes; Forres Mechanics v Turriff United; Keith v Clachnacuddin; Strathspey Thistle v Deveronvale; Wick Academy v Huntly (3pm).
Scottish Cup, third round (ties involving Highland League clubs): Banks O’ Dee v Hamilton Academical; Clydebank v Buckie Thistle; Cowdenbeath v Brechin City; Fraserburgh v Annan Athletic; Livingston v Brora Rangers.
