Ian Murray initiated a couple of raids on the right from
Napier. Bokas caught the first cross at his near post, Farquhar cut out
Napier's next effort at the expense of a corner from which Jamie Shewan's
powerful downward header was saved by Bokas at the base of the post.
In the 23rd minute Gary Manson took the ball
along the Wick left and slipped it in to Cunningham whose first shot was
blocked. The youngster kept his cool to steer the rebound low past Main from 8 yards and give the visitors a deserved lead.
McKiddie won a corner on the Wick right but Macadie's low
drive to the near post ended up in the side netting. Academy continued to
control the game without forcing another break through. The Jags responded with
occasional raids from Napier and on the half hour he hoisted a cross into the
goalmouth where a great defensive header from Craig Shearer deflected it away
from the Buckie forwards.
Manson flighted a 50 yard free kick down the Wick left to
pick out a run by Cunningham but a group of green and white defenders forced
the ball out of play.
Manson was back on defensive duty to stop a powerful header
from Donnie Munro and track another darting touch line burst by Napier.
The Scorries were in charge for the last ten minutes before
the break, good work on the right by McKiddie and Cunningham creating an
opening for Macadie whose effort was charged down point blank on the 18 yard
line. Buckie defenders McKinnon and Kevin Small collided as they jumped
together for a spiralling high ball 25 yards in front of goal and Cunningham
seized on the loose ball and moved forward on the right, crossing to Mackay
whose 10 yard shot from a tight angle was scrambled away at the near post.
Half time 0 – 1
MacMillan had a chance to equalise after just two minutes of
the second half but from near the penalty spot curled a right foot chip past
the top corner of the target. In the 49th minute the Buckie striker
had carbon copy opportunity and this time kept his shot low, Bokas diving to
his left to grab the ball inside the post.
Buckie new found enthusiasm was rewarded in the 53rd
minute though in fortuitous and controversial circumstances. When Gunn drove
the ball through the middle it rebounded from referee Bryan Braidwood's back
and fell to Andy Low who swept a pass wide left to Shewan. A deep cross reached
Napier at the far side of the box and he unleashed a vicious volley that struck
Manson, 5 yards away on the upper arm. "Penalty!" indicated Mr Braidwood and
after Manson was booked for protesting, MacMillan duly dispatched the spot kick
low into the corner of the net to the right of Bokas.
Worse was to follow for the luckless Scorries. Mackay was
cautioned for a sliding tackle on the halfway line, though he appeared to have
won possession. The ball went up the Buckie left and through to Murray, whose shot was
pushed away by Bokas diving forward to his left and fell at the feet of Hamish
Munro who gratefully steered it into the unguarded net.
Farquhar slid in to win a 50-50 challenge as MacMillan
chased a through ball on the Buckie left and when the striker went down with an
ankle injury the ref. showed the Wick defender his yellow card. Robert Duncan's
free kick high to the back post was deflected for a corner. Murray's elbow caught Farquhar on the neck as
the pair contested a loose ball – free kick to Wick and word of warning but no booking
for
the striker.
Academy enjoyed a spell of possession midway though the half
and twice Main had to deal with long range
shots from Mackay. After a 70th minute Wick corner was headed clear,
Gunn pushed it forward again to Cunningham. A short pass set up Macadie on the
18 yard line but he sliced his shot hastily wide.
At the other end Shearer cleared Murray's cross with a well judged header and
The ball went forward to Gunn whose 25 yard drive was palmed
down and grabbed at the second attempt by Main.
When Weir surged up the right and was tripped 30 yards from
goal by Lewis MacKinnon who became the first Buckie player who was booked, he
fired the free kick low on target but not hard enough to trouble Main.
With ten minutes left Buckie kept possession for a spell
until Murray
backed into Shearer. The Jags almost increased their lead in the 86th
minute but Shearer blocked a Murray
effort on the line.
Mackay was victim of a clumsy late challenge by Low and
after Shearer was booked for his angry reaction the assistant referee indicated
a Buckie free kick. The ball was thrown towards Gunn who punched it away in
disgust to become the fifth Academy booked during a frustrating second half.
The free kick went up the right and when the ball was crossed to the penalty
spot it was too high for Gunn and Munro, jumping together to try to head it.
Munro fell and to the disbelief and anger of the away fans was awarded a
penalty. Murray
netted from the spot and the game was over though Grant Campbell forward on the
right had a left foot shot deflected to earn one last Wick corner from which Main made another fine catch.
Full Time 3 – 1
So penalty kicks were Academy's friend in mid-week, but their downfall today, and they will feel aggrieved to be coming up the road with nothing to show for their efforts.
