In the next attack Keith delivered another dangerous cross
into the Academy box and Cammy Keith had a free header that he made a hash off
sending it several feet wide of the target.
Just over the half-hour Keith came very close to pulling a
goal back. Andrew Anderson had the ball delivered to his feet in the middle of
the Academy box with his back to goal. He managed to find a yard, turned and got
a right foot shot off that smacked off the base of Gray's right hand post
before Gray smothered the re-bound.
From the Gray kick-out Academy worked their way down-field
and Mackay slid the ball to Weir down the left channel. He powered into the
box, hit the bye-line and then cut inside beating 3 defenders before crossing to
Macadie who had a tap-in from only 3 yards out.
3 – 0
Andrew MacAskill fired a right foot shot just past Gray's
right hand post as Keith attempted to try to pull a goal back, but Academy were
dominating the game and in their next attack won a free kick which Manson
delivered into the box. Both linesman and referee noticed a push by Stuart
Walker on Craig Shearer and Academy were awarded a penalty. Macadie kept his
cool and slotted home for his hat-trick.
4 – 0
Referee Graham Fraser brought a breath-taking first half to
a close with the Harmsworth faithful probably witnessing the best first half
display in many a year.
Half Time – Wick Academy 4 – Keith 0
Keith made a change at the start of the second half with
Sean Keith coming on for Jamie Lennox, but Academy picked up where they had
left off as within the first few minutes a piercing attack carved open the
Keith defence. Davie Allan combined with Weir who had his shot blocked. The
ball fell to Macadie and from a tight angle his attempt smacked off the outside
of Kinnaird's left hand post.
Keith to give them their due kept plugging away and Gray
kept the Academy goal intact as he palmed away a Cammy Keith drive for a corner
kick.
Academy continued to hunt for more goals and Davie Allan
again hit the turbo as he scorched past the Keith back line and flashed a
wicked shot across the face of goal but there were no takers to turn it home.
Mackay, Allan, Macadie and Weir were on fire and Allan again
broke into the Keith box, twisted and turned to find a yard before getting a
shot on target that Kinnaird managed to turn around the post.
The continuing Academy pressure resulted in yet another goal
as they went nap in the 52nd minute. Sam Mackay beat two Keith
defenders before he crossed the ball into the Keith box and under pressure from
Gary Weir Zander Jack turned the ball in for an OG.
5 – 0
The half was only 10 minutes old when Academy had a chance
for another. Davie Allan broke up the right wing before sliding to Weir, who
teed up Macadie but he sliced his attempt wide of target.
Wilson made his first change in the 64th minute
with Lukasz Geruzel coming on for Gary Weir.
Geruzel was only minutes on the park when he got his head to
a Macadie corner but his attempt was headed off the line by Stewart Hucheon.
Both sides made further changes as the game flowed into the
final quarter and in the 79th minute the visitors pulled a goal back.
Gary Manson was adjudged to have fouled substitute Craig MacAskill in the Academy
box and Keith were awarded a penalty. Cammy Keith took it and slotted home.
5 – 1
In the final attack of the game Davie Allan went on yet
another trade-mark run before setting up him brother Ross who stabbed the ball
on target but straight to the welcoming arms of keeper Kinnaird.
Academy ran down the clock and as referee Fraser blew for
full time the Academy players were given a standing ovation as they left the
park.
Full Time – Wick Academy 5 – Keith 1
Sponsor's man of the match Stevie Cunningham
receiving his award
from Stanley Elder on behalf of match sponsor Stevie Elder and Friends
