Wick Academy will be well briefed on Scottish Cup opponents Lochee United
Wick Academy face new opponents in the Scottish Cup on Saturday – but the players will be well briefed on the threat posed by Lochee United thanks to the "due diligence" carried out by manager Gary Manson.
The Dundee-based side, who are in the Scottish Junior FA Midlands League, visit Harmsworth Park in a tie that will be played to a finish after the Scottish FA confirmed recently that no replays will take place in this season’s tournament beyond the preliminary round.
Manson is confident there will be a reaction from Academy following their 8-0 collapse to Banks O' Dee in the Highland League two weeks ago. Last Saturday's scheduled fixtures were cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Midfielder Jack Halliday is likely to return for the first-round tie following his recent injury.
"The last league game was obviously a disappointment – the scoreline and the performance," Manson said. "But the two league games prior to that we won, so it's not as if we're on a dreadful run of form.
"It was just a really bad day. But it was only one game, and all we've lost are those three points.
“As I said after that game, we need to learn lessons from it, dust ourselves off and get ready to go again – and there's no better game to throw ourselves into than a Scottish Cup tie.
“We're really looking forward to it and I'm pretty sure we'll see a reaction from the boys. They're all raring to go."
Lochee United are seventh in their 19-team division and have lost only once in 11 league matches this season.
“I've done my homework and I know pretty much everything about them now," Manson said. "I do that with every team that we come up against, even the Highland League teams that I know all about – I still like to do my homework and brief the squad on exactly what to expect.
“We don't go into a game blind. We speak about the team, we speak about the game coming up and how we plan on dealing with them and then overcoming what they've got to offer.
“Saturday is no different. I've done my due diligence on them and I know exactly what they're capable of.
"They are a good side, there's no getting away from that. They score goals, but they give opportunities away as well so it's up to us to capitalise on that and make the most of the opportunities when they do arise.
"Hopefully we can put a performance in and get our name in the hat for the next round."
Kick-off is at 3pm.
New signing Cameron Montgomery will be in the Wick Academy squad for this weekend's Scottish Cup clash with Lochee United.
The 20-year-old winger was chosen as the North Caledonian FA’s young player of the year for 2021/22 while playing for Thurso.
“It will be his first involvement with the squad," manager Gary Manson said.
"He is obviously stepping up a level. Players are a bit stronger, a bit quicker and a bit fitter than he is probably used to, so it'll take him a wee bit of time to adjust, but I'm sure he'll get there.”
James Mackintosh and Sean Munro, who have featured in the squad as trialists, have also signed.