Wick Academy 2
Nairn County 1
League

Match Report

Academy chalked up their first three points of the season today with a hard-fought 2-1 win over visitors Nain County. Anthony Wallace fired Nairn into the lead in the 26th minute but two bookings for Robert Duncanson put Nairn in at the interval with only 10 men.

Davie Allan squared the scores on 53 minutes before Richard Macadie slotted home a penalty just after the hour mark to put the Scorries into the lead.

In the last action of the game Nairn keeper Calum Antell brought down Davie Allan just outside the Nairn box and referee Graham Fraser flashed the second red card of the game to leave Nairn finishing with only nine men on the park.

Wick started the game well and had the first sight of goal when a Stevie Anderson shot was deflected for a corner.

Nairn's first chance came just before the quarter-hour mark when McCarthy dived down low to his left to save a Robert Duncanson free-kick.

Despite Academy having the better start it was Nain that opened the scoring. They broke out of defence and Robert Duncanson delivered a great cross into the Academy box that Anthony Wallace swept past Sean McCarthy.

Wick Academy 0 - Nairn County 1

Academy went straight back on the attack and Martin MacDonald managed to clear a Davie Allan attempt off the line in a goal-mouth scramble before a Richard Macadie drive was tipped over the bar by keeper Calum Antell.

Nairn then had a great chance to increase their lead but John Cameron fired his shot over the cross-bar from the edge of the Academy box.

The Nairn captain Robert Duncanson was booked on 38 minutes for something he said to the referee and 4 minutes later he brought down Sam Mackay on the edge of the Nairn box and referee Graham Fraser flashed him a second yellow and he trudged off the park for an early bath.

Half Time - Wick Academy 0 - Nairn County 1

Academy went on the hunt for the equalizer and a Grant Campbell effort was tipped over the cross-bar by Antell in the Nairn goal.

As Nairn started to play deeper in their own half Academy pressure paid off. Sam Mackay delivered a low cross on a plate for Davie Allan to tap in from close range to square the score.

Wick Academy 1 - Nairn County 1

On the hour Glenn Main was adjudged to have fouled Steven Anderson in the Nairn box and Academy were awarded a penalty kick. Richard Macadie stepped up, sent Antell to his left and stuck the ball into the opposite corner.

Wick Academy 2 - Nairn County 1

Further goal chances were few and far between but credit to Nairn as they threw everything they had at Academy in an attempt to get back in the game. That however was their downfall as deep into injury time Academy cleared a Nairn corner and broke up-field. Davie Allan hit the afterburners with an open park ahead of him. Keeper Antell came out to meet him and as Alan tried to go around him just outside the box Antell tripped him up and he was red carded by referee Fraser.

By this stage in the game Nairn has used their quota of substitutes and John Cameron put on the gloves for the final minute or so of the match.

Full Time - Wick Academy 2 - Nairn County 1

Match report written by John Briskham