Wick Academy player-manager Gary Manson hopes they can overcome an arduous midweek journey when they face Inverurie Locos at Harlaw Park.
The Scorries make the near 380-mile round trip this evening looking to build on Saturday’s win at Turriff, which ended a run of 13 matches without a victory.
Although Manson would have preferred an alternative date for the fixture, he’s looking to make the best of things.
He said: “Playing on Wednesday nights, particularly at this time of the season, is part and parcel of being in the Highland League and we get that.
“And I’m not going to complain about the distance because it’s part of being in the league.
“But we suggested a number of, what I felt were, viable alternatives to Inverurie and I don’t know what the reasons were for turning them down.
“We’ll get on with it.
“My preferred option would have been to play on Monday. Everyone was off on Monday and it’s not too close to Saturday and would have been ideal for us.
“But over the course of my career, I’ve been to Bo’ness and Linlithgow on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, so it’s nothing new.
“Saturday was really good and hopefully we can get a similar performance.”
Wick will be without Orkney duo Jamie Flett and Toby Macleod, and Manson has tried to recruit a couple of north-east-based trialists to bolster his options.
Railwaymen look to get back on track
Inverurie are looking to bounce back after the disappointment of losing Saturday’s GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup final.
Boss Andy Low said: “It’s not easy for Wick – we’ve had it going the other way going to Wick or Brora in midweek.
“It’s a difficult one, because you get home all hours of the morning and then have to go to work.
“It’s not something I think should be happening, but our hands are tied.
“There’s no getting away from it that the outcome on Saturday was a huge disappointment.
“But I’m delighted there’s a midweek game for us to get back playing.
“I can’t fault the guys for their effort and commitment. They’re working hard for us and we need to try to find that edge to win those kind of games.”
Jonny Smith and Cole Anderson are available again for Locos, having been cup-tied at the weekend.
But 🚨 #HighlandLeagueWeekly is out now!!🚨
⚽️ @banksodee_fc v @InverurieLocos in the @GPHBuildersMer @LeagueHighland 🏆 final
Plus…
⚽️ @brorarangers
v @FormartineUtd
🗣 @lossiemouthfc's Ian Campbell
🤔 @FraserburghFC's Greg Buchan (Quick Qs)Watch: https://t.co/dADf4RSRru pic.twitter.com/7yqYHXHNYi
— Highland League Weekly (@HighlandLW) April 10, 2023
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