Saturday March 9th
Academy bounce back with six of the best
Wick Academy re-ignited their title bid with a
sensational 6-1 victory at Keith, despite playing most of the second half with
10 men after Ross Allan's red card.
The Scorries clearly felt they had a point to prove after
struggling to overcome Fort William the previous Saturday and crashing to
defeat at Dudgeon Park in midweek.
Lukasz Geruzel set the tone with two goals in as many
minutes midway through the first half. In the 24th minute the Polish striker
latched on to a flick from Davie Allan and held off a challenge from Gary
McNamee before firing the ball past keeper Murray Kinnaird.
Geruzel quickly added his second after Davie Allan raced
into the Keith box to set up the chance.
Academy extended their lead on 32 minutes. Davie Allan
and Gary Weir combined to set up an opening for Stevie Cunningham, who
side-stepped Kinnaird and hammered the ball high into the net.
The fourth arrived in the 36th minute. Weir drove into
the box and saw his shot parried upwards by Kinnaird, with Richard Macadie on
hand to nod the ball into the net.
Just after that Geruzel went off injured and was replaced
by Ross Allan – whose own involvement was cut short when he was dismissed seven
minutes into the second half for retaliating after he appeared to have been
clipped.
Academy kept pushing on and Michael Steven made it 5-0 on
the hour mark, heading home from a Macadie corner.
Davie Allan got the sixth with 20 minutes still to play,
creating space for himself just outside the box before drilling a low shot
inside Kinnaird's right-hand post.
The Maroons grabbed a consolation goal with six minutes
remaining when Jonathan Smith beat James More from close range following a
corner.
Keith will be glad to see the back of Academy this
season, as the Scorries won 5-1 when the teams met at Harmsworth Park in
November.
With Formartine United's match falling victim to a
waterlogged pitch, this superb result allowed Academy to open up a five-point
lead at the top of the table.
Cove Rangers kept up their challenge with a 3-0 victory
over Huntly at Christie Park.
Martin Johnston headed the visitors in front after 33
minutes and Danny Milne doubled their advantage in the first minute of the
second half.
Johnston put the issue beyond doubt with another header
10 minutes from full-time. Huntly's Michael Clark was sent off in the closing
stages after picking up a second yellow card.
Nairn County also kept their championship quest ticking
along with an efficient 3-0 victory over Strathspey Thistle in Grantown. The
goals came from Robbie Duncanson, Craig MacMillan and Michael Morrison.
Steven Park marked his 500th appearance for Inverurie
Locos by rescuing a point in a 2-2 draw with 10-man Buckie Thistle at Harlaw
Park.
The Jags were two up after 20 minutes with goals from
Nikki Smith and Jamie Shewan, but Smith went from saint to sinner when he was
sent off just after the half-hour mark.
Locos' Nicky Gordon had a penalty saved by Kevin Main
before the home side reduced the deficit through Craig Ross with a quarter of
an hour remaining. Park's 85th-minute header tied it up at 2-2.
Forres Mechanics moved into the top six with a 3-1 win
against Fort William at Claggan Park. Scott Moore, Simon Allan (penalty) and
Ryan Mackintosh were on target for the Can-Cans before Andy Maclean pulled one
back for Fort, who continue to show real signs of improvement.
Deveronvale came from behind to beat Fraserburgh 2-1 at
Princess Royal Park. The Broch led at half-time through a Courtney Cooper goal,
but Colin Charlesworth levelled midway through the second period and Craig
Cowie struck late on to secure all three points for Vale.
Turriff United's new recruit Gary McGowan scored twice
and Lewis Davidson got the other in a 3-0 win against Lossiemouth at The
Haughs.
Rothes were beaten 9-1 for the second time in four days
as Brora Rangers romped to victory at Mackessack Park.
Martin MacLean and Steven Mackay both hit hat-tricks for
the Sutherland side, with their other goals coming from Stuart Golabek, Liam
Baxter and Dale Gillespie. Kevin Shortreed replied for Rothes, who had also
conceded nine at home to Inverurie Locos in midweek.
