Wick Academy 2
Formartine Utd 2
League

Match Report

Academy welcomed Formartine United to Harmsworth Park for the final league game of the season. Academy had six trialists in the squad but the main talking point around Harmsworth Park was the announced retirement of Gary Weir who decided it was time to hang his boots.

Academy twice game behind to earn a draw but the point didn't make any difference to the final league position as the Scorries were already confirmed a eighth place finish before the game had started.

The visitors took the lead on 8 minutes. Scott Ferries had a pop from 20 yards that took a wicked deflection to leave Sean McCarthy out of position and the ball trundled over the line.

0 - 1

Marc MacGregor had an attempt from a tight angle that flashed just wide of Andy Reid's post. Richard Macadie then fired straight into the arms of Reid.

Gary Weir was really unlucky minutes later not to get on the score-sheet. He fired a 20 yard free-kick over the wall but the effort crashed off the crossbar.

In the next attack Academy were awarded a penalty. Weir was fouled in the box by Derek Young and referee Graham Fraser pointed to the spot. Weir took the penalty and signed off his last game in style making no mistake in burying it in the corner of the net.

1 - 1

Minutes later Formartine were back in front. The ball was whipped in from the right wing by Ferris for Liam Burnett to latch onto and he stuck it home from close range.

1 - 2

Academy battled back and four minutes before the half-time break they again squared the scores. Sam Mackay went on a great run passing his markers with ease before unleashing a thunderbolt from a tight angle that flew into the net.

2 - 2

Half Time - Wick Academy 2 - Formartine United 2

By comparison the second half had few goal scoring opportunities. 15 minutes from time Andy Reid was lucky to stay on the park as he took down Weir on the edge of the box after he'd broken the off-side trap and homed in on goal. Referee Fraser deemed a booking fitted the crime but Academy couldn't convert the resulting free-kick, Ross Allan firing it over the bar.

Weir was substituted with 5 minutes left and he ended his Academy career with a tally of 443 club appearances and 168 goals. A great servant to the club over the last 15 seasons and we all wish him and his family the very best.

Full Time - Wick Academy 2 - Formartine United 2

Match report written by John Briskham