MATCH PREVIEW – WICK ACADEMY (H)

We close our 2020 fixtures this afternoon when we welcome Wick Academy for their first ever visit to Central Park in the First Round of the Scottish Cup.

We have twice played Wick before in pre season games. Back in 1996 we took part in the Norfrost Cup, a triangular tournament with Hamilton Accies. We drew 3-3 with the hosts with Craig Winter scoring a rare hat trick for us while Richard Hughes hit a brace for the hosts along with William Steven. Eight years later whilst on our way to Orkney we once again played Wick in the village of Campbelltown and ran out 7-0 winners with Dene Shields grabbing a hat trick while both Iain Mauchlen and Liam Buchanan got hat tricks.

Wick reached the First Round of the cup after beating Musselburgh Athletic at Harmsworth Park on Monday night 3-1 after extra time. This was the fourth attempt to get the game played against the East of Scotland League side. Former Elgin man Craig Gunn slotted home two penalties with sub Mark Macadie getting the third. Mathu King had got the Burgh’s equaliser seven minutes from time after his side had been reduced to ten men after keeper Ryan McGurk had been sent off after handing the ball outside the box.

This was Wick’s first win of the season after they lost their opening two Highland League games which leaves them at the foot of the table. Buckle were 3-2 winners at Harmsworth Park on the opening day on 28 November and seven days later saw a 5-1 defeat in the derby game at Brora.

Extra time and penalties will be used to determine a winner to see who goes into the Second Round draw which see’s League One clubs come into the competition.

The match will of course be shown live on BBTV with commentary from Craig Scott and Colin Nelson. You can purchase the stream for £10 by clicking here.

Issue 4 of The Blue Brazilian covers today’s match and next week’s 2021 opener against Edinburgh City. To purchase a copy, please visit here.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee : Barry Cook | Assistant Referees : Brian Christie and Sean Murdoch




Previewer : Andrew Mullen.