Manson looking for reaction from Wick Academy as leaders Brechin City visit Harmsworth Park
Wick Academy manager Gary Manson will be looking for a reaction from his players after their heavy defeat to Banks O' Dee when Highland League leaders Brechin City visit Harmsworth Park on Saturday.
The Hedgemen replaced Buckie Thistle in top spot on goal difference, with two games in hand, after a 6-0 home victory over bottom side Strathspey Thistle last weekend.
At the same time, Academy were on the receiving end of the same scoreline on their trip to Spain Park with all six Banks O' Dee goals coming in the first half.
Brechin are unbeaten in the league this season, with 18 wins and two draws from their 20 fixtures so far, in their pursuit of the title and a potential route back to the Scottish Professional Football League.
Manson is aware of the threat they will pose but he says Academy have a stronger squad than last week. Jack Henry will be back from suspension, while new signing Marc Macgregor will be available and Mark Munro should be back.
“We go into every game trying to take points and obviously after last week we'll be looking for a response," Manson said. "Hopefully we'll have learned some lessons.
“It'll be a different game. Last week we were playing on pristine Astroturf and there wasn't a breath of wind.
"It'll be slightly different this week and I'd expect a more direct game. The wind and the pitch will play their part in it.
"It'll be a different type of game for us and it'll be one of the tougher games we'll have this season.
“Brechin are obviously a team in good form. We haven't played them yet this season.
"Their squad is quite a bit different from last year so it's a little bit into the unknown.
“You just have to take one look at the league table and you can tell they're a top team. It'll be a big ask for us but we'll go into it with a stronger squad than last week and we'll have a game plan in place and hopefully take something from it.”
Last season Brechin ran out 3-1 winners when they visited Harmsworth Park in October. When the teams met again at Glebe Park in March, they were locked at 1-1 at half-time but City went on to win 5-1.
Manson was unhappy with some of the refereeing decisions as Academy had two players sent off in the second half and another red-carded after the final whistle.
Gary Manson reckons unbeaten Brechin City have the edge over the other Highland League title contenders.
Wick Academy will be looking to upset the leaders at Harmsworth Park on Saturday, although it promises to be a tough task against a side that have taken 56 points from a possible 60.
Brechin claimed top spot last Saturday ahead of Buckie Thistle, who were held 1-1 at Huntly.
City won 6-0 against Strathspey Thistle, with Marc Scott scoring twice – a week after he struck one of the league's fastest-ever goals. He found the net after just six seconds at Lossiemouth, a match Brechin went on to win 3-0.
The Wick manager said: “There's still lots of games to play and there are still two or three teams in it, but they haven't lost a game yet and they look very strong.
“We haven't played them yet, but if you look at their results they seem to be steamrollering teams and not looking like they're going to lose points.
"Buckie and Brora will still have a part to play in it, I'm sure, but if I was going to put money on anyone at this stage you would go for Brechin. We'll see what they've got on Saturday, but I think whoever finishes above Brechin will win the title.”
Highland League fixtures for Saturday, February 4: Banks O' Dee v Rothes; Buckie Thistle v Brora Rangers; Clachnacuddin v Forres Mechanics; Fraserburgh v Huntly; Keith v Deveronvale; Lossiemouth v Inverurie Locos; Strathspey Thistle v Nairn County; Turriff United v Formartine United; Wick Academy v Brechin City (2pm).