Wick Academy 3
Clachnacuddin 1
League

Match Report

Academy were without the services of Michael Steven, Alan Farquhar and Gary Weir today, but still had enough in the tank to chalk up a 3-1 win over visitors Clachnacuddin. Youngsters Brandon Sinclair and Colin Henstridge were drafted in and both got game-time in the latter stages of the match.

In a fairly even first half neither side could find the net, but three second half goals from Sam Mackay, Steven Anderson and Davie Allan sealed the three points, Academy's third league win on the bounce.

Substitute Liam Shewan pulled a consolation goal back for Clach with two minutes of time left on the clock.

Academy were first to threaten when Grant Steven jumped highest from a corner ball but his header went just wide of target.

On 23 minutes Clach had a couple of chances. Gary Manson managed to get something on a Daniel MacLennan shot to deflect the ball wide of McCarthy's left hand post for a corner. Blair Lawrie swung in the resulting corner and Richard Macadie cleared it off the line.

Five minutes later and Academy had a really strong shout for a penalty kick when it looked as if Steven Anderson had his heels clipped from him inside the box, but referee Billy Baxter waved aside the Academy claims.

Academy came close to breaking the deadlock when a Danny Mackay cross found Marc MacGregor about 12 yards from goal. His shot looked goal-bound but it deflected off David McGurk and over the crossbar for a corner. James Pickles the headed the corner kick just wide of target.

Half Time - Wick Academy 0 - Clachnacuddin 0

A minute onto the second half Blair Lawrie whipped in another great corner kick, this time it bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Just passed the hour mark Academy took the lead. In an Academy attack Sam Mackay was fouled just outside the penalty area. Mackay expertly bent the free-kick around the wall and although keeper John Campbell did manage to get a hand to it, he couldn't keep it out.

1 - 0

Clach had a chance to pull level when Daniel MacLennan broke into the box but as he homed in on Sean McCarthy James Pickles covered back and nicked the ball off him with a perfectly timed tackle. MacLennan shouted for a penalty but Pickles had clearly won the ball and referee Baxter turned down the penalty claim.

Academy pushed for the second goal and Steven Anderson forced Campbell into a good save from a powerful header from a Richard Macadie cross.

On 75 minutes Academy doubled their advantage through Anderson with a great goal. James Pickles pinged a perfectly weighted long ball up to him which the striker took under control, breezed into the box leaving his markers for dead and finished with a well struck riffled shot into the corner of the net.

2 - 0

Nine minutes from full-time Academy put the game to bed. Richard Macadie sent Davie Allan on his way and although his first shot was blocked he hammered home the re-bound from 12 yards out.

3 - 0

Clach pulled back a consolation goal with two minutes left on the clock. Blair Lawrie broke on a counter-attack hitting the bye-line before crossing for substitute Liam Shewan to tap home unchallenged.

3 - 1

Full Time - Wick Academy 3 - Clachnacuddin 1

Match report written by John Briskham