In the 25th minute Academy doubled their lead. Campbell started the move on the left, Manson swept the ball across to the right and Allan cut into the box past two defenders. This time he slipped a pass towards Cunningham who turned near the spot and swung his right leg to fire an unstoppable volley into the net.
Macadie was prominent as Wick pushed for a killer third goal but Lamb shot high and Gunn wide. Brora battled on and a shot from Cameron flashed past the post. Gray then made a confident catch above a cluster of players when Mark McKernie hoisted over a 40 yard free kick from the right.
It should have been 3-0 just before the break when Cunningham set up a golden opportunity four yards out but Weir’s shot hit the bar.
Play continued fast and furious but with no clear cut chances for either side. Referee Graham Fraser kept an iron grip on the game which was punctuated with free kicks and saw 4 cautions for Wick and 3 for Brora.
A free kick from Evan Murray was headed on by Jason Gunn and Gray made a clean catch. Allan set up Manson whose shot was parried and Macadie sliced the rebound wide. A Manson free kick was headed away and Weir shot wide after a Macadie free kick near the right corner flag. Macadie saw his 25 yard lob drift wide but with time running out Academy at last netted a third. Ross Allan sprinted 40 yards and was tripped in the box by Cameron. Macallum dived to his right to parry Gunn’s spot kick but the ball bounced up and the Wick skipper headed it into the net from 6 yards. The semi final will be against Inverness Caley Thistle at Harmsworth Park on 25 or 26 August.
Full Time 3 – 0
Wick Academy co-managers Ian Munro and Richard Hughes were happy to see their team claim a semi final place and Hughes said: “After going 2-0 up we made hard work of getting a third goal. We were a bit flat at times but derby games are tough and sometimes the tactics book goes out the window. It really comes down to who wants to win the game the most so we are delighted for the boys that they won 3-0.” Brora boss Andy MacLeod said: “Obviously I’m disappointed that we are out of the cup but credit to Wick. They got two first half goals and kind of sat in from there. We competed a lot better in the second half but Wick deserved their win.”
Sponsors Man of the match David Allan
Pictured receiving his award from David Anderson and John Gunn on behalf of match sponsor Wick Fire Service
