Wick Academy 2
Lossiemouth 1
League

Match Report

Academy extended their winning league game run to 9 today beating Lossiemouth 2-1. Craig Shearer and Gary Manson filled 2 seats on the bench, but Martin Gunn started his first game since his injury in the Deveronvale game last November, after being weaned back into the side with a few substitute appearances in the last few games. Richard Macadie started his 100th league game for Academy today.

None of the top 6 slipped up this weekend, so the win keeps the Scorries in 6th place and a chance to still finish the season in the top half of the table. Of the North clubs only Forres now have the chance of over-taking us, but the run-in looks like it'll be a battle right to the last games of the season.

Academy almost took the lead within the first 2 minutes of kick-off. Shaun Sinclair clipped the ball over the top of the Lossie back-line and Gary Weir split the defenders, took one touch of the ball on the drop and chipped keeper McConnachie but the ball hit the right post and bounced away to safety.

7 minutes later it was the coasters turn to threaten when Shawn (biscuits) Scott hit a shot from a free-kick that looked goal-bound but James More made a great save getting down low to turn the ball round the bottom of the post with his finger-tips.

Academy continued to try to string the passes together, but it just didn't seem to click today, but never the less they still created several further good chances. In 17 minutes McKiddie split the Lossie defence with a inch-perfect through ball and Cunningham latched onto it in the middle of the box but he passed up the chance to open the scoring as he scuffed his shot into the arms of keeper McConnachie.

That was followed 2 minutes later by a Gunn right foot shot from 20 yards from a Macadie corner that again looked goal-bound but it took a deflection in a crowded penalty box and flew straight to the keeper.

Lossie went straight back up the park and Shawn Scott showed neat control to take down a high ball before turning and getting another shot on target, but More was again on hand to make a safe catch.

David Allan was next to get a shot on target just after the half hour mark that also went straight to the goalie, and just as if it looked as if the teams were going to go into the break on level terms Academy pounced and took the lead. Keeper McConnachie had a poor kick-out that went straight to Allan. He fed Cunningham up the right wing and he hit the bye-line, crossed into the box and Macadie took the ball on the run from 6 yards out and slotted home.

1 - 0

Lossie did have the ball in the net seconds before the half-time whistle when Tony Ross stuck it home, but the goal was chalked off for off-side.

Half Time 1 - 0

3 minutes after the re-start James More made the save of the game. Scott once more managed to latch onto a ball that was played into the box and looked certain to score from only yards out, but More made a point blank save getting a hand to the ball to knock it round his post for a corner.

With 55 minutes played David Allan ran into the box with ball at feet and Kevin Stuart clipped his heels and sent his sprawling. Referee Bicknell had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Stewart Ross claimed the ball, and stuck the spot-kick to the keepers left for his second league goal of the season.

2 - 0

2 minutes later Academy had another chance to extend their lead when Cunningham unleashed a low shot that was on target, but McConnachie dived to his left and made a safe catch with Weir poised to snap-up any possible re-bound.

Both keepers had busy days, as straight back to the other end More yet again denied Lossie when he stopped a Tony Ross shot with his feet.

Lossie had a few half-chances when a good cross from substitute Graham Wilson went behind the on-rushing Shawn Scott, and two stramashes in the box that both went ping-pong before being cleared by the Academy defence.

The Coasters did however pull a goal back on the 90th minute when the ball was floated into the Academy box. There looked to be a fair bit of pushing and shoving going on, and More tried to grab the ball amongst a ruck of players but couldn't hold onto it and it looked as if Shawn Scott managed to get the last touch to bundle it home.

2 - 1

With time running out Academy hit the corners and ran out the clock.

Full Time 2 - 1

John Bicknell refereed the game today and this will be his last one in charge at the Harmsworth Park as he retires at the end of this season.

Match report written by John Briskham