6 minutes later and Academy had
another sniff at goal. A good move was started by McKiddie who pushed the ball
wide to Manson. Manson drove up the wing and sent a wicked cross to the Locos back post where
Macadie was in prime position for a crack at goal, but MacKenzie managed to
just get his head to the ball to clear the danger and deny Macadie a shooting
opportunity.
The Locos started to come into
the game around the 20 minute mark, but Academy caught them on the break with
Manson bringing the ball forward in attack and he stung the hands of keeper
Jarvie with a 20 yard attempt.
Locos squared the game 3 minutes
later. Ross had a shot on target that More got down to but he couldn't hold the
ball, and Gauld was quick to follow in and slot home from close range.
1 – 1
Academy stuck to their game,
hassling the Inverurie players every time they had possession, and playing good
passing football every time they had the ball. This almost paid off just past
the half-hour mark when Shaun Sinclair broke up the wing before squaring to
Gunn but he fired his shot straight at keeper Jarvie. That was followed a
minute later when Park took the ball off Gunns toes in a last ditch defensive
tackle with Gunn straight thought on goal.
More kept the Scorries in the
game with a great save from a Michie shot 11 minutes from time. He followed
that up by another with a minute in the half to go when Michie again looked as
if he would score, but More got his foot to the ball to send it out for a
corner.
The last action of the half came
with Macadie crossing from the right and Farquhar hit a first time volley on
the edge of the box that whistled inches past Jarvies right hand post. That was followed by Locos going straight back up the park and More again denied Michie with another fine save.
Half time 1 – 1
Academy made a change at the break
with Alex Lamb coming on for Shaun Sinclair.
With 10 minutes of the second
half played both teams had further chances to increase their goal tally. The
Locos started when Singer had a shot that crashed off the Academy cross-bar.
The ball was punted clear up-field, and Gunn caught the Locos defence dallying
on the ball and nicked it to round the defence at the left edge of the Locos
box. With the Locos defence scrambling to get back into position Gunn crossed
to Manson, but keeper Jarvie held onto his shot at goal.
With an hour played Academy
regained the lead. Manson punted a high ball into the Locos box that keeper
Jarvie spilled, and Gunn snapped it up to hammer home.
2 – 1
The game continued to surge from
end-to-end, and Stuart Sinclair was next to have a go, but his 25 yard
thunder-bolt shot went just wide of target.
A minute later and Craig Ross
almost caught More out as he tried a dipping shot from about 30 yards out. More
back-peddled to cover it, but the ball went just over the top of the cross-bar.
Shearer sent Gunn off on another
attack in the 68th minute. He slotted a perfect ball through the
middle of the Locos defence, and Gunn did well to stay on-side, before
gathering the ball and attempted to chip keeper Jarvie who was well off his
line, but his effort also went over the top of the target.
Academy continued to make good
chances and Farquhar had a good effort on target in the 74th minute
that Jarvie could only palm clear. Manson went wide to pick the ball up and
squared the ball with the Locos defence all at sea, and they managed to punt
the ball to safety.
Michie managed to get clean
through on goal again in the 80th minute, and by this stage must
have been sick of the sight of More who pulled off another great save to deny
the Locos hit-man for the umpteenth time in the game.
Gunn could have sealed the game
with 7 minutes left as he broke through the Locos defence but he fired his
attempt wide of target.
The last 5 minute
saw the Locos push hard in an attempt to try to level the game, but the Academy
defence held firm and the "Harmsworth Roar" must have been heard all over the
town as referee Hasson blew the full-time whistle.
Full time 2 – 1
So a fantastic effort today with
every player on the park contributing in a much deserved win. This result takes
us above Clach into 10th place, and provided the perfect preparation
for next weekends Cup game away to Cove Rangers.
Sponsors Man of the match Andrew MacLeod
Pictured receiving his award from Gordon McKiddie on behalf of the match sponsor G & A Barnie
