Wick Academy 3
Strathspey 0
League

Match Report

Three second half goals in the rain under the Harmsworth Park lights gave Academy a first win in five games against a stubborn Strathspey Thistle team.

Sam Mackay was suspended for this one and Davie Allan was still out with a long-term injury whilst Ross Allan struggled after picking up an injury in the Cove game. James Pickles, Michael Steven and Ross Maciver completed the long list of absentees. Captain Alan Farquhar made a welcome return, his first game since the beginning of December. 17 year old Brandon Sinclair made the starting line-up and young Andrew Mackay started in mid-field. Youngsters Aiden Reid and Colin Henstridge also got game time coming off the bench.

A couple of first half missed chances were soon forgiven by the fans when Steven Anderson scored three minutes into the second half. Academy went 2-0 up when Gary Weir crossed from the left and Andrew Hardwick headed it in from 10 yards. Weir and Marc MacGregor saw shots come back off the woodwork before Anderson made it 3-0 with the last kick of the game.

Danny Mackay, Gary Weir and Marc MacGregor all had chances early on in the game but fired their attempts wide of the target.

Strathspey rarely got out of their own half as Academy dominated possession of the ball and the best chance of the opening period fell to Gary Weir. Gary Manson pinged over an inch-perfect cross to him but from eight yards out he dragged his shot wide.

Half Time - Wick Academy 0 - Strathspey Thistle 0

Academy started the second half on the front foot and the deadlock was broken 3 minutes after the re-start. Marc MacGregor latched onto a long ball and drove forward but his shot was blocked in the Strathspey box. Following a bit of a scramble the ball fell to Steven Anderson and he drove home a right foot shot as he fell to the floor.

1 - 0

12 minutes later Academy doubled their lead. Gary Weir did well on the bye-line driving in before chipping a cross into the box for Andrew Hardwick to stoop forward and head home for his first goal in Academy colours.

2 - 0

Anderson was next to have a pop and was really unlucky as he hit a peach of a volley off his lacers that cannoned off the post.

Minutes later Brandon Sinclair drove down the right flank and crossed for MacGregor but his effort also smacked off the upright.

Jack Macleod managed Strathspey's only shot on target in the 80th minute when he drilled in from 25 yards out but it went comfortably into the arms of McCrathy.

Richard Finnes did have the ball in the net minutes later but it was chalked off as he flattened McCarthy in his attempt to head home the ball.

Into injury time Steven Anderson knocked in his second goal of the game, and 19th of the season, from almost the same position as his first to seal a comfortable win and lift Academy back into 6th spot in the table.

3 - 0

Full Time - Wick Academy 3 - Strathspey Thistle 0

Match report written by John Briskham