Play was pretty much confined to midfield for a long spell
until approaching half time Low whipped a cross from the right into the 6 yard
box where Shaun Sinclair diverted it wide for a corner.
Half Time 0 – 0
Up the slope after the break Allan raced forward, head over
the ball and slipped a crisp pass to his right for Macadie whose return cross
was deflected for a corner.
In the 50th minute Kerr looked certain to score
when he ran behind the Wick defence and was one on one with More barely 12
yards from goal. The stocky Nairn striker drove the ball low towards the net
but More dived smartly to his left to make an excellent save.
At the top end Cunningham drove the ball in low from the
right and Ridgers smothered it at the near post.
The visitors were enjoying most of the possession. Low
chipped the ball over from the right, More fisted it off Kerr's head and after
a brief scramble near the 18 yard line Glenn Main sliced his effort wide.
Another skirmish following Gregg Main's corner from the left
ended when Sinclair cleared the ball off the line.
Fraquhar did well to turn two defenders and pick out
Cunningham whose low drive went across the face of goal and past the back post.
Academy battled on and when Farquhar was fouled in centre
circle Ross hoisted the free kick into the goalmouth where MacDonald headed it
out only to Macadie who shot wide from 25 yards.
Gary Weir came on, combining well with Manson on the left
and dribbling the ball through the Nairn defence but there were still no
incisive moves into the area. Lamb chipped another free kick to the penalty
spot and Ridgers fisted it away from Shearer.
Midway through the half Gregg Main drove a 30 yard free kick
into the Wick ‘wall' while efforts from Wayne Mackintosh and Mackay flew way
off target.
Academy kept Nairn at bay and MacLeod's defensive work
earned him the sponsors' Man of the Match award.
Allan broke clear and his low shot was well caught by
Ridgers.
Ross bravely stopped a Low drive with his head.
Allan made a solo dart upfield, Weir and Manson again worked
together to good effect and Allan swept the ball ahead of his brother Ross who
had just come off the bench but the Nairn defence blocked the youngster's path.
David Allan went close a couple more times and Ridgers
caught a chest high 25 yard shot from Weir as Wick went for a late winner.
Gillespie broke through for Nairn and More made the save of
the game diving low to his left to prevent a certain goal.
Wick final half chance fell to Ross Allan whose 20 yard lob
from the right beat Ridgers but dipped beyond the back post.
Full Time 0 – 0
Sponsors Man of the match Andrew MacLeod
Pictured receiving his award from Tam Mulraine on behalf of match sponsor SubSea7
