Wick striker Flett confident he will adjust to demands of Highland League
Wick Academy's Orcadian striker Jamie Flett is happy to keep clocking up the miles by road and sea as he looks to make a name for himself in the Highland League.
The 23-year-old from Stromness proved to be a handful for the Buckie Thistle defence in Saturday's match at Harmsworth Park, although the title-chasing Jags ran out 1-0 winners.
It was Academy's first game in just over a month due to a series of weather-related postponements and Flett admitted he was tiring by the closing stages.
“It was tough," he said. "The pitch was pretty heavy too. I cramped up at the end there.
“It was a good game – I thought it was fairly even.”
Flett had a half-chance in front of goal in the first half when he stretched to get his head on a cross, but he was unable to direct it past keeper Lee Herbert.
“I was stuck in two minds whether to head it or volley it and I obviously chose the wrong one,” he said.
Flett is confident he will adjust to the demands of Highland League football.
He said: “It's definitely a lot more physical than back home but I'm sure I'll get used to it.”
Flett was up at 7am on Saturday to catch the NorthLink ferry. “It's a bit of a trek but it's worth it,” he said.
“If I keep getting asked to come back, I'll be here.”
Flett signed for Wick in November along with fellow Orkney player Toby Macleod, an attacking midfielder.
Manager Gary Manson said at the time: “The two boys are more than keen to come across and play for us. Hopefully they will add to competition for places and they'll add a bit of strength in depth."
Macleod was one of nine players missing from the Wick squad on Saturday, along with Sean Campbell, Sean Munro, Gordon MacNab, Graeme Williamson, Jack Halliday, Joe Anderson, Brandon Sinclair and Davie Allan.
Manson said after the game: “With all those missing players it's an uphill battle but they acquitted themselves reasonably well. It was just disappointing in the final third.”
There was a second appearance for 16-year-old Matthew Aitkenhead, who came on for the last 10 minutes.
Manson said: “Matthew has been training really well with us. He deserves his chance in the squad and he'll be with us every match day now, moving forward.”
Highland League results: Brora Rangers 6, Keith 1; Deveronvale 2, Fraserburgh 3; Formartine United 5, Lossiemouth 0; Forres Mechanics 8, Strathspey Thistle 1; Huntly 2, Turriff United 0; Inverurie Locos 2, Clachnacuddin 4; Nairn County 3, Banks O' Dee 0; Rothes 0, Brechin City 1; Wick Academy 0, Buckie Thistle 1.
Fixtures for Saturday, January 14: Banks O' Dee v Turriff United; Brechin City v Fraserburgh; Clachnacuddin v Wick Academy (2pm); Formartine United v Huntly; Forres Mechanics v Brora Rangers; Inverurie Locos v Deveronvale; Nairn County v Buckie Thistle; Strathspey Thistle v Lossiemouth.