Wick Academy 3
Formartine Utd 2
League

Match Report

Academy started this one like they meant business - and the early breakthrough could have been their's as early as the 3rd minute when a Steven Anderson run and shot from the corner of the 18 yard box had the Formartine keeper Ewen Macdonald beaten, but the ball crashed off the cross bar and was cleared to safety. It was Formartine though that took the early lead on 8 minutes when a cross from the left found Graeme Rodger unmarked in front of Academy keeper Sean McCarthy and he calmly slotted the ball into the left corner of the net.

Academy continued to press and a powerful driving run by Steven Anderson was only ended on the edge of the penalty box when Scott Ferris clipped the Wick man's heels. Richard Macadie took the free kick but sent it high over the bar.

Wick were level by the 20th minute, after Mark Macgregor's drive through the penalty area was halted when he was bundled over by a combination of Jevan Anderson and Jamie Michie. Referee Dan McFarlane had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Richard Macadie coolly dispatched his penalty into the left corner of the net.

The teams traded attacks for the rest of the first half with both keepers called into action - Sean McCarthy at full stretch to pluck an Archie Macphee cross out of the air while Formartine keeper Ewen Macdonald had to punch the ball clear following a free kick whipped into the box by Wick's Gary Manson.

Formartine took the lead two minutes before the break when a crunching tackle from Wick's Andrew Hardwick gave the visitors a free kick 20 yards out, directly in front of goal. Scott Barbour curled his free kick over the Wick wall and although Sean McCarthy, at full stretch, managed to get a hand to the ball the shot had enough power to continue to the back of the net.

The second half continued much as the first with the teams swapping attacks - but it was Wick who found the net courtesy of another Richard Macadie penalty in the 74th minute. Referee Dan MacFarlane pointing to the spot after a Marc Macgregor shot was stopped by the outstretched arm of Formartine captain Stuart Anderson. Once again Macadie slotted the ball past the Formartine keeper to level the scores.

A bit of indiscipline crept into the Formartine game and, after a deliberate handball while on the ground, Jamie Michie picked up his second yellow card of the game.

Wick took advantage of the extra man and three minutes later a quick one two between Gary Manson and Gordon McNab found Manson in pace just inside the left corner of the 18 yard box - and his left foot shot rocketed past Ewen Macdonald in the Formartine goal to give the home side all three points.

Match report written by Mel Roger