Wick Academy 1
Clachnacuddin 0
HL Cup (2nd Round)

Match Report

Wick marched into their first ever Highland League Cup semi-final today with a 1-0 win over current cup holders Clachnacuddin.

The game failed to really catch fire as both sides toiled a little on a heavy pitch.

The visitors were forced into an early change when Daniel Mclennan took a blow to the face and he was replaced by Paul Brindle.

Clachnacuddin failed to really test Sean McCarthy throughout the whole game. The nearest they came was with a first half shot from Ian Penwright that looked goal-bound but just flew past the outside of the post.

Academy won a free kick on 27 minutes about 25 yards from goal. Sam Mackay stepped up and with a glorious swipe of his yellow boot he sent a peach curling over the Clach wall which kissed the under-side of the cross-bar on it's way into the top corner of the net.

1 - 0

Ross Allan forced keeper Alexander Ridgers into a good stop when he got a shot on target from an acute angle.

Half Time - Wick Academy 1 - Clachnacuddin 0

Into the second half Sam Mackay picked the ball up inside the centre circle, turned his man and drove towards goal. Davie Allan hit the burners to get himself into the box but was inches away from turning home Mackay's cross.

Substitute Brindle flashed another Clach attempt across the face of goal with no takers to poke it home.

Mackay then showed a great bit of skill plucked the ball out of the air in the centre circle before purshing towards goal. He delivered the ball to Lukasz Geruzel who had his back to goal and he set up James Pickles but the Orcadian's shot went straight to keeper Ridgers.

Scott Davidson skied a good opportunity over the cross-bar but Clach couldn't muster a reply and Academy ran the clock down to claim the victory. The reward for the Scorries is a home tie in the semi-final against Nairn County who beat Lossiemouth.

Full Time - Wick Academy 1 - Clachnacuddin 0

Match report written by John Briskham