The Scorries had matched the Staggies for the first half but
it was a different story after the break. Within a couple of minutes a drive
from Di Giacomo crashed against the middle of the bar and in the next raid Wood
slotted the equaliser low past More from 10 yards. After a further two minutes
County took the lead when Steven Ross headed the ball down over the line from
close range. Before the hour Ian Vigurs drilled a low shot to More's left to
make it 3-1.
Academy fans relished a moment of Sam Mackay magic when the
midfielder weaved his way through a group of County players and chipped the
ball ahead of Davie Cowie. Showing the County rearguard a clean pair of heels,
Cowie sprinted down the right and cut in to fire a shot at the near top corner
of the goal, Malin stretching to fingertip the ball over the bar.
In the 70th minute Archie MacPhee aimed a real
humdinger at the top corner of the Academy net and although More got a touch he
could not keep it out.
Ross completed the scoring when he steered in a pass from
Darren McCormack.
As co managers Ian Munro and Richard Hughes rang the changes
to give Shearer's friends and former team mates a taste of the action the most
generous applause of the evening was for Craig himself when he came off after
77 minutes, Gordie Reid taking his place.
The exchanges had all been very friendly, with little
physical contact, but that changed momentarily when McCormack took exception to
Gary Weir prancing up the left wing and wrestled the Academy striker to the
ground.
Shearer's former youth team colleague Alan Forbes came on among
a flurry of 82nd minute changes and there was a warm welcome for
former Scorries' favourite Gordon Robertson when he entered the fray for the
last five minutes. The club's first big money signing in 1995, previously a
stalwart for Keiss and Brora, Robertson was a much admired midfielder until his
appearances were restricted by a knee injury from December 1998. Shearer made
his debut at Brora on Boxing Day that year taking over the number eight shirt
worn by Robertson in the previous match at home to Lossiemouth.
Full Time 1 – 5
Appropriately – or do I mean inevitably? – Shearer was
chosen Man of the Match and after receiving his memento said: "It was a
fantastic evening for me. It was just amazing from start to finish. I'm very grateful
to Alistair Ross and the rest of the Testimonial Committee for all their hard
work to fix up this game. It was good of Ross County
to come up and a great experience for us to play against a side of their
quality. I even got to help pick our team! As well as our usual squad I invited
a few of my friends. They all came on towards the end and actually played quite
well." Of the game he said: "The first half was brilliant. I think it was
beyond our expectations to go in a goal up. County showed their true abilities
in the second half and in the end we were well beaten." Shearer also thanked
the supporters and pledged that half of the proceeds will be donated to local
charities including, it is understood, the Henderson Maternity Wing of
Caithness General Hospital.
Ross
County manager Derek
Adams said: "It was a great evening. Craig told us that he appreciates that we
have travelled all the way up to Wick and we are very happy to have made the
journey and been part of such an enjoyable occasion. Even the weather was kind
to us! There was a good turn out for Craig. He has served Academy well for so
many years and tonight folk showed their appreciation for his efforts." Adams affirmed that from a football point of view it was
worthwhile too. "Wick played some excellent football but we had more possession
in the second half and I was pleased for a couple of our younger players, 17
year olds, Steven Ross and Archie MacPhee who played the 90 minutes and scored
goals. We also had some senior players who had not been playing for a wee while
so it was valuable playing time for them."
Gordon Robertson said: "I remember Craig coming into the
team as a youngster. Since then he has always been a dedicated player and has
done well. I was delighted to be asked along and it was good to get on the park
for the last few minutes."
At a short reception held after the game at the Seaforth
Highlanders' Club, Alistair Ross thanked everyone who had made the evening a
success and on behalf of the Craig Shearer Testimonial Committee presented the
Ross County manager with an engraved bottle of Old Pulteney, saying;" It was an
excellent night. We applaud Ross
County for fulfilling
their promise of bringing a strong team – they have been absolutely brilliant
ambassadors. From a Caithness and Wick Academy
point of view we are thrilled that they helped make the match such a fine event
in honour of Craig Shearer who deserved it. The result was the only downside –
but we won the first half!"
Pictured receiving his award from James Innes of match sponsor Achairn Energy
