Wick Academy 1
Buckie Thistle 2
League

Match Report

Buckie Thistle claimed a valuable three points in their quest to become league champions with a 2-1 win today at Harmsworth Park. Danny Mackay was suspended for this one, Sam Mackay was unavailable, Davie Allan and Alan Farquhar still out injured. Sean McCarthy started his 100th game for Academy and he was handed the captain's arm-band.

Steven Anderson was sent off for something said to the linesman with only 37 minutes played, but Richard Macadie put the 10 men in front a few minutes later. Sam Urquhart however bagged a double in the second half to secure the win for the visitors.

The match started with action at both ends of the field. Buckie forced a corner with only 2 minute played which Academy cleared, and up the other end a mad scramble in the Buckie box was eventually cleared.

On the quarter hour Buckie looked as if they had taken the lead when a corner kick from Ceiran McLean found its way right through a packed penalty area before being hacked to safety by Ross Allan at the base of the back post.

Drew Copeland was next to have a pop but his effort went just wide of target, and John McLeod then fluffed his lines as he scuffed a weak attempt straight to Sean McCarthy.

Urquhart had a further chance to put the visitors in front but he smoked his attempt well over the top of the Academy crossbar.

Buckie were having the best of the game and gained a real advantage on 37 minutes. The south-stand linesman called over referee Alan Proctor after something was said to him by Steven Anderson, and the Academy striker was given a straight red card.

Ten men Academy took the lead on 41 minutes. Ross Maciver lobbed the ball over the top of the Buckie defence for Richard Macadie who timed his run to perfection. He ran in on target one-on-one with Daniel Bell and kept his cool to slot home with a well taken goal.

1 - 0

Half Time - Wick Academy 1 - Buckie Thistle 0

Two minutes after the re-start Buckie drew level, Hamish Munro cleared a high long ball out of defence up to Sam Urquhart on the edge of the box. He did well to hold off his markers before driving the ball low into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

1 - 1

Less than 10 minutes later and Buckie were awarded a penalty. Kevin Fraser was played into the box and Michael Steven was adjudged to have fouled him. Referee Proctor waved away Academy's protests that no contact had been made and Urquhart fired home from the spot for his second of the game.

1 - 2

Buckie had further shots from John Mcleod and substitute Chris Angus that were comfortably saved by McCarthy and they ran the clock down to the final whistle.

Full Time - Wick Academy 1 - Buckie Thistle 2

Match report written by John Briskham