| 25th August 2006 – Scottish Qualifying Cup – First round | Harmsworth Park Wick |
 Wick Academy |
1 (Richard Macadie 5) |
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Team: Daniel Bell, Stewart Ross, Alex Lamb, David Mowat, Andrew Macleod (Martin Bain 76), Craig Shearer, Martin Gunn, Gary Farquhar (Gary Weir 61), Richard Macadie (Shaun Sinclair 71), Gary Manson, David Cowie. Subs: Shaun Sinclair, Martin Bain, Gary Weir, Shane Sutherland, Kevin McGee. |
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0 |
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Team: Stewart Gray, Kenny MacKenzie, Scott Buchan, Andrew Walker, Mark Simpson, Steven Park, Neil Maclean (Neil Gauld 25), Barry Sommers, Kenny Coull (Alan Padua 83), David Ross, Phil Mcibben (Danny Milne 70). Subs: Michael Smith, Neil Gauld, Danny Milne, Alan Padua, Alistair Graham. |
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| Referee: | Ross Hamill |
| Bookings: |
Kenny Mackenzie 86, 88, Gary Manson 92. |
| Match Sponsor: |
M M Miller |
| Ball Sponsor: |
M M Miller |
| Sponsors man of the match | David Mowat |
Inverurie LocosThe back to back Scottish Qualifying Cup holders flew up to Wick for todays game but were dumped out of the competition by a fantastic footballing display by Academy.
Wick had a supersonic start going a goal up within the 5th minute. Some good passing movement between David Cowie and Martin Gunn advanced Academy to the edge of the Locos box. A through ball looked to be controlled by defender Mark Simpson but it slipped under his foot for 19 year old Richard Macadie to latch onto and he chipped the oncoming Locos keeper Stewart Gray from about 12 yards out to score his first competitive goal for the club.
0 – 1
Academy’s next opportunity came in 14 minutes when some great passing football from Gary Farquhar, David Cowie and Martin Gunn set Gary Manson up with a shooting chance from the edge of the box. Unfortunately Gary skied his shot over the bar.
Academy were playing some great football and really had the Locos rattled. In the 26th minute Gary Mason drove down the wing and crossed in a good ball. David Mowat connected with a powerful header that nicked off Mark Simpson sending the ball just wide of the Locos post for a corner.
Locos best chance of the half came in the 34th minute. Andy Walker found himself free in a crowded Academy box and got onto the end of a David Ross crossed ball, but Daniel Bell made a great reaction save turning the ball round his post for a corner. This brought gasps of anguish from the Locos support, as it looked to be a certain goal.
Half Time 0 – 1
The Locos nearly equalised within a minute of the re-start. Andy Walker found himself in a good shooting position 25 yards out from goal, but his right foot attempt went over the top of Bells cross-bar.
Locos continued to try to push for an equaliser and in the 56th minute Mark Simpson had a header from a corner that Bell saved with a clean catch.
A minute later referee Hamill awarded the Locos a free kick 30 yards from the Academy goal after David Mowat had made a clean tackle winning the ball from Kenny Coull. Fortunately the shooting attempt from David Ross got what it deserved, flying high over the top of the Academy goal.
Manager Budge made his first change in the 61st minute. Gary Farquhar had been suffering before the game with a bit of a stomach bug, so he was changed for Gary Weir.
The remaining half an hour of the game was nerve-wracking for the Harmsworth crowd, but Academy continued to hold their shape and made it very tough for the Locos. Indeed it was Academy who were having the better scoring chances with both Richard Macadie and David Cowie having good attempts at goal.
The Locos manager Gardiner made several substitutions in the final quarter in an attempt to salvage the game, and it looked as if it had paid off when Neil Gauld charged in on Bell as the young keeper came to catch a cross, and the ball ended up in the back of the net. The crowd were on tender hooks wondering if the goal stood as referee Hamill came to the by-line to consult with his assistant. After a few seconds he blew for a free kick to the relief of the Academy support.
The Locos continued to press for an equaliser, and in the 83rd minute they nearly got it. Substitute Gauld was again involved as he headed a David Ross cross just wide of goal.
More incident followed in what was a frantic action packed 10 minutes with Academy players defending every Locos attack as if their lives depended on it. Then in the 87th minute Kenny Mackenzie got his second yellow card of the game after coming right through the back of Craig Shearer. Referee Hamill had no hesitation flashing the yellow, then red card sending the player off.
Referee Hamill played 5 minutes of extra time and with hardly a finger-nail left on the hands of many Academy supporters he finally blew for full-time. This was met with the ‘Harmsworth roar’ and the Academy players were cheered and clapped off the pitch.
Seen here receiving his award from Ritchie MacDougall, Match sponsor M M Miller
