Wick boss expects Brechin to be pushing for SPFL return next season
Gary Manson believes the Highland League title could be beyond Brechin City's reach this season – but, if they do miss out, he expects them to be pushing for a potential return to the Scottish Professional Football League next term.
Manson was impressed by Andy Kirk's side when they won 3-1 at Harmsworth Park in October, although the Scorries' player/manager believes Brechin will have been weakened by the loss of Max Kucheriavyi.
The 19-year-old Ukrainian had been on loan from St Johnstone but was recalled by the Premiership club and farmed out to Kelty Hearts for the remainder of the campaign.
“Certainly at the time, when they played in Wick, they were probably the best team I'd seen,” Manson said. “It was a tight affair – we've given most teams a game this season, even in our defeats.
“I felt they were quite well organised and they looked like a team with players that had played at a higher level.
“Saying that, they've lost their best player this season – the Ukrainian boy that was on loan, Max Kucheriavyi.
“I think he is probably the best player that we've come up against this season, from all the teams, so to lose him would hurt any team.
“They came down [from the SPFL] and they had to change their management team and change a lot of their squad, so it was always going to take time for them to adapt. I think they've maybe given themselves too much of a challenge now to win the league this season.”
Brechin moved closer to the top three when they thumped Keith 6-0 at Kynoch Park on Wednesday night, with David Cox leading the way with a hat-trick. City are now a point behind third-placed Brora Rangers.
Huntly were 2-1 winners away to Strathspey Thistle, while Nairn County's match against Fort William was postponed.
Fraserburgh are top of the table on 62 points, one clear of Buckie Thistle, with both clubs having played 24 fixtures. Brora and Brechin, on 59 and 58 points respectively, have each played one game more than the top two.
Scott Adams got the only goal as Buckie Thistle defeated Inverurie Locos in the Highland League Cup quarter-finals. In the other midweek ties, Fraserburgh won 2-1 at Rothes while Forres Mechanics beat Clachnacuddin by the same score.
Fixtures: Friday – Highland League: Turriff United v Formartine United.
Saturday – Highland League: Brechin City v Wick Academy; Brora Rangers v Clachnacuddin; Buckie Thistle v Huntly; Deveronvale v Rothes; Forres Mechanics v Inverurie Locos; Keith v Fraserburgh; Lossiemouth v Fort William; Nairn County v Strathspey Thistle.