AIR LOCOS SIX GOAL DEMOLITION
All the hype leading up to this eagerily awaited cup-tie was about Locos Chairman Steve Innes’s decision to fly his HL stars North on the morning of the match to give his team every opportunity to progress to the next round of the cup.
However his decision came in for some over the top criticism from all and sundry.
However his decision was fully justified when his players repaid him with a comprehensive six goal demolition against an out of sorts Wick team.
3 mins were on the clock when Stuart MacKay flashed a 14yd shot across McMillan and wide of the keepers lefthand post.
However 5mins later MacKay put his side in front, when Wick defender McCallum’s poor headed clearance landed at MackAy’s feet 12yds out and he wasted no time in despatching the ball beyond the despairing arms of McMillan much to the delight of the Locos dugout and players.
Wick 0 v 1 Locos
Straight from the kick off Wick found themselves being pushed back deep into their own half as the loco’s players squeezed every ounce of space.
Man of the match MacKay nearly put his team two in front when he escaped the attentions of the Wick defence to fire a right foot shot goalwards from 16yds which McMillan did well to get down low to save at his right hand post.
Cowie had Wick’s only chance of the half when he was put through by Shearer, his first time shot from 18yds was well saved by Loco’s younger keeper Gray.
Deep into the half and Craig Ross watched his angled 12 yd drive hit the outside of McMillan’s lefthand post after Wick’s Manson and MacKenzie gave away possession to Ross 20yds out.
Wick had no answer to a rampant Loco’s outfit and could barely get out of their own half, making several defensive errors in the process which locos failed to take adavantage off, however that was all to change in the second half.
When referee MacDonald blew for an end to the first half proceedings, Wick should count themselves lucky to be only one goal behind and still in with a chance.
Half-Time Wick 0 v 1 Locos
The Wick fans around the ground hoped that some harsh words from Manager Budge might see an improved performance from their side, however any hope went out of the window 2 mins into the half when locos were awarded a free-kick near their own dugout, Buchan stepped up to fire the ball deep into the Wick box where MacKay rose above the Wick defence to direct his 12yd header powerfully across McMillan and inside the keepers righthand post.
Wick 0 v 2 Locos
As far as Wick were concerned the contest was over and if this was a boxing match the referee would have called a halt to the proceeedings to save Wick any further embarrasement which was being brought about by very poor defending and slack play.
Locos pilled on the pressure and went close on several ocassions to increasing their lead, however Wick did manage a foray out of their own half when substitute Weir went on a solo run to fire in a 16yd effort which locos keeper had to be alert, to turn around his righthand post for a corner.
However normal service was resumed in 68mins when locos went three up, Gary Manson’s attempted cross field pass to Mowat out on the left was intercepted by Singer as defender Mowat went a sleep, from 40yds out Singer drove up the right and crossed into the box for the in rushing Coull to side foot past McMillan from 14yds to send the locos support into raptures.
Wick 0 v 3 Locos
Worse was to follow for Wick in 70mins when MacKay scored his thir and locos fourth, when Wilson sent the jet propelled young striker through on goal and from 12yds fired the ball beyond McMillan and inside the keepers righthand post.
Wick 0 v 4 Locos
Wick were a well and truely beaten side by now and with still a quarter of the match still to be played the Wick fans were heading for the exits clearly disappointed with what they were watching and I’m sure the Wick players would have loved to had followed them.
Locos increased their lead in 76mins when MacKa drove through the static Wick defence to set up MacLean on his left and from 14yds MacLean fired a shot across McMillan and inside the keepers lefthand post.
Wick 0 v 5 Locos
And just when things couldn’t get any worse Wick were reduced to ten men when McCallum’s frustration got the better of him when he was given a straight red by Referee MacDonald for an off the ball incident with locos Craig Ross.
Locos kept pushing forward at will and added to their tally 3mins from the end when Singer set up Substitute Milne 16yds from goal, the big striker turned Lamb inside out before bending a tremendous right foot shot around McMillan and inside the keepers lefthand post.
Wick 0 v 6 Locos
Air Locos were flying high, as Wick’s cup challenge nose-dived big time at a wet and soggy Harmsworth Park.
However their was still time left for Wick’s Captain Martin Gunn to score a consolation goal for his side in 90mins when the locos defence cleared a Manson corner only as far as the Wick skipper 25yds out, his powerful first time strike sailed low inside Gray’s righthand post, with the locos fans cheering from the South stand.
Wick 1 v 6 Locos
Locos just had enough time to restart the match when Referee MacDonald blew an end to the proceedings.
Full-Time Wick 1 v 6 Locos
A shell shcoked Wick side trooped of the park with their heads bowed and into the dresssing room to hide away their embarrasement, knowing they had let their fans, management and themselves down with a very poor performance.
Locos on the other hand gave a very comprehensive and professional performance that puts them into the next round of the cup in search of a Scottish Cup journey and hopefully retain the cup they presently hold at Harlaw Park.
On this performance they have every chance of doing so.
Apart from McCallums red card their was two bookings for Wick’s MacGregor and Locos MacLean.
However his decision came in for some over the top criticism from all and sundry.
However his decision was fully justified when his players repaid him with a comprehensive six goal demolition against an out of sorts Wick team.
3 mins were on the clock when Stuart MacKay flashed a 14yd shot across McMillan and wide of the keepers lefthand post.
However 5mins later MacKay put his side in front, when Wick defender McCallum’s poor headed clearance landed at MackAy’s feet 12yds out and he wasted no time in despatching the ball beyond the despairing arms of McMillan much to the delight of the Locos dugout and players.
Wick 0 v 1 Locos
Straight from the kick off Wick found themselves being pushed back deep into their own half as the loco’s players squeezed every ounce of space.
Man of the match MacKay nearly put his team two in front when he escaped the attentions of the Wick defence to fire a right foot shot goalwards from 16yds which McMillan did well to get down low to save at his right hand post.
Cowie had Wick’s only chance of the half when he was put through by Shearer, his first time shot from 18yds was well saved by Loco’s younger keeper Gray.
Deep into the half and Craig Ross watched his angled 12 yd drive hit the outside of McMillan’s lefthand post after Wick’s Manson and MacKenzie gave away possession to Ross 20yds out.
Wick had no answer to a rampant Loco’s outfit and could barely get out of their own half, making several defensive errors in the process which locos failed to take adavantage off, however that was all to change in the second half.
When referee MacDonald blew for an end to the first half proceedings, Wick should count themselves lucky to be only one goal behind and still in with a chance.
Half-Time Wick 0 v 1 Locos
The Wick fans around the ground hoped that some harsh words from Manager Budge might see an improved performance from their side, however any hope went out of the window 2 mins into the half when locos were awarded a free-kick near their own dugout, Buchan stepped up to fire the ball deep into the Wick box where MacKay rose above the Wick defence to direct his 12yd header powerfully across McMillan and inside the keepers righthand post.
Wick 0 v 2 Locos
As far as Wick were concerned the contest was over and if this was a boxing match the referee would have called a halt to the proceeedings to save Wick any further embarrasement which was being brought about by very poor defending and slack play.
Locos pilled on the pressure and went close on several ocassions to increasing their lead, however Wick did manage a foray out of their own half when substitute Weir went on a solo run to fire in a 16yd effort which locos keeper had to be alert, to turn around his righthand post for a corner.
However normal service was resumed in 68mins when locos went three up, Gary Manson’s attempted cross field pass to Mowat out on the left was intercepted by Singer as defender Mowat went a sleep, from 40yds out Singer drove up the right and crossed into the box for the in rushing Coull to side foot past McMillan from 14yds to send the locos support into raptures.
Wick 0 v 3 Locos
Worse was to follow for Wick in 70mins when MacKay scored his thir and locos fourth, when Wilson sent the jet propelled young striker through on goal and from 12yds fired the ball beyond McMillan and inside the keepers righthand post.
Wick 0 v 4 Locos
Wick were a well and truely beaten side by now and with still a quarter of the match still to be played the Wick fans were heading for the exits clearly disappointed with what they were watching and I’m sure the Wick players would have loved to had followed them.
Locos increased their lead in 76mins when MacKa drove through the static Wick defence to set up MacLean on his left and from 14yds MacLean fired a shot across McMillan and inside the keepers lefthand post.
Wick 0 v 5 Locos
And just when things couldn’t get any worse Wick were reduced to ten men when McCallum’s frustration got the better of him when he was given a straight red by Referee MacDonald for an off the ball incident with locos Craig Ross.
Locos kept pushing forward at will and added to their tally 3mins from the end when Singer set up Substitute Milne 16yds from goal, the big striker turned Lamb inside out before bending a tremendous right foot shot around McMillan and inside the keepers lefthand post.
Wick 0 v 6 Locos
Air Locos were flying high, as Wick’s cup challenge nose-dived big time at a wet and soggy Harmsworth Park.
However their was still time left for Wick’s Captain Martin Gunn to score a consolation goal for his side in 90mins when the locos defence cleared a Manson corner only as far as the Wick skipper 25yds out, his powerful first time strike sailed low inside Gray’s righthand post, with the locos fans cheering from the South stand.
Wick 1 v 6 Locos
Locos just had enough time to restart the match when Referee MacDonald blew an end to the proceedings.
Full-Time Wick 1 v 6 Locos
A shell shcoked Wick side trooped of the park with their heads bowed and into the dresssing room to hide away their embarrasement, knowing they had let their fans, management and themselves down with a very poor performance.
Locos on the other hand gave a very comprehensive and professional performance that puts them into the next round of the cup in search of a Scottish Cup journey and hopefully retain the cup they presently hold at Harlaw Park.
On this performance they have every chance of doing so.
Apart from McCallums red card their was two bookings for Wick’s MacGregor and Locos MacLean.
Teams:
Wick: McMillan, Mowat, Lamb, McCallum, MacGregor(53 G.Weir), Manson, Gunn, Shearer, N.MacKenzie, J.MacKenzie, Cowie.
Subs not used: G.Reid, Henderson, MacLeod, Coghill.
Wick: McMillan, Mowat, Lamb, McCallum, MacGregor(53 G.Weir), Manson, Gunn, Shearer, N.MacKenzie, J.MacKenzie, Cowie.
Subs not used: G.Reid, Henderson, MacLeod, Coghill.
Locos: Gray, Graham, Buchan, Wilson, Simpson, Park, Singer, Ross, Coull(70 Milne), MacKay, MacLean(85 Mess).
Subs not used: Forsyth, Padua, Smith(GK)
Subs not used: Forsyth, Padua, Smith(GK)
Reporter Alan Farquhar
