The
Scorries came on like a different team in the second half, making two attempts,
courtesy of Macadie and Weir, within minutes of returning to the field. In the
53rd minute Allan went on a masterful run, getting the ball to team captain
Martin Gunn whose shot was saved by Knight.
Controversy
followed a minute later when Weir was pulled down at edge of the box. The
Forres players argued that the offence was outside the 18-yard line, but the
referee disagreed and awarded a penalty to Academy which Weir took, sending
Knight the wrong way and putting the ball into the bottom right of the net to
the joy of the gathered Academy fans.
The
Scorries looked much more assertive in the second half, with shots coming from
Weir, Macadie and Allan as they battled through the Forres defence.
Wick
striker Allan was booked for an infringement just before the hour mark and three
minutes later Forres swapped Neil Whyte for Fraser Bremner, before Ross
MacPherson was shown a yellow for protesting a decision in the 72nd minute.
Three
minutes later Weir tried for another penalty, which the referee refused, but by
this point Forres were starting to realise that an active first half had pushed
them too hard, resulting in Green being subbed in the 83rd minute.
Around
the same time Weir was booked for dissent. Two more subs were made for Forres
and Bryan McKiddie was brought on for Wick, replacing Gary Manson.
In
the 87th minute, Scorries skipper Gunn took a frustrated swipe at the ball from
near the centre spot, putting it over the crossbar, but it was two minutes
later, when the Forres defenders failed to clear the ball, that Allan swooped
in to take the second goal for Academy.
The
Scorries players kept their heads held high as they fought on in the dying
moments of the game, but when the whistle blew they couldn't hide their
disappointment that the fightback had started a little too late.
Full Time Wick Academy 2 – Forres Mechanics 3
