WAFC 1 – Buckie Thistle 2

Wick played down the Harmsworth slope for the first half and as early as the 2nd minute had a great chance to take the lead. Gary Farquhar played a through ball that split the Buckie defence and Gary Manson kept himself on-side to run onto the ball with Kevin Main the Buckie keeper well off his line. Unfortunately Gary blazed his shot wide of goal.

Buckies first chance of the half came in 9 minutes after what looked to be a Buckie hand ball on the edge of the Wick box. The Academy defence seemed to stop expecting the whistle to blow, but referee Eric Robertson played on and Jamie Shewan hit his shot off the Academy post.

Buckie then took the lead in 11 minutes when Buckie number 10 Andy Low hit a great curling shot from about 18 yards out that bent around Don MaMillans out-stretched left hand and into the net.

0 – 1

In 20 minutes Academy had a chance to draw level when Jamie Mackenzie had a difficult hooked shot inside the Buckie box but it flew high over the cross-bar.

Then in 31 minutes Buckie doubled their lead. Donnie Munro sent in a low cross across the Academy goal that Don McMillan fumbled. The ball fell to Buckie number 9 Shawn Scott, known as biscuits, and he took his time to guide the ball at close range into the Academy net.

0 – 2

The only other real point of note to the first half was Jamie Mackenzie getting booked for decent in 42 minutes.

Academy didn’t really look in the game to be honest for most of the first half, so the fans headed for their pie and tea hoping for better things to come in the second half.

Half Time 0 – 2

After 12 minutes of the re-start Nigel Mackenzie slotted over a good cross and Martin Gunn met it with a low driven crisp shot that the Buckie keeper Kevin Main saved well with his feet.

Buckie went more or less straight back up the field and after a bit of a scramble in the Academy box Mike Macdonald had a shot that hit the underside of the Academy cross-bar and came back out to safety.

In 65 minutes with Adademy still struggling really to get into the game manager Alistair Budge made three substitutes with, Gavin Henderson, Gary Manson and Gary Farquhar all coming off to be replaced with David Cowie, Martin Macgregor and Murry Coghill.

He was rewarded for the change with Murray Coghill scoring a bit of a scrappy goal from closs range in the 86th minute.

1 – 2

This set up quite an exciting end to the game with the Academy players getting a lift from it. Unfortunately it just wasn’t to be, and Buckie ran out in the end quite comfortable winners.

Full Time 1 -2

This must go down as one of Academys poorer performances. They didn’t really seem to be at the races today, and Buckie had long spells of domination in the game where they kept the ball well and looked quite comfortable. Same old story, had Academy scored from their chances it may have been a different game.

Hopefully the boys can put this game behind them and Alistair can pick them up for Tuesdays semi-final game with Nairn. Come on lads, the whole of the town is behind you for this one.

Nairn also had a bad day, not only did they get well beat by Devoronvale, but they lost defender Martin Macdonald with a suspected hamstring that may make him doubtfull for the semi-final. On top of that they also had Steven Edwards and Martin Sanderson red carded. This has still to be confirmed, but that may make them suspended for Tuesday nights game.

For Tuesday nights game lets get a good crowd into the Harmsworth park and cheer the lads and Alistair into the final, come on Academy !!