Formartine come close to pulling a goal back. They win a
corner on the left that Ross Campbell rose highest for and he got a powerful
header on the ball put put it just over the target.
On the half hour Academy apply some more pressure to the
Formartine goal. Good link play saw Macadie set Allan off up the wing. Allan
swung the ball over to Sam Mackay on the left who cut in and got a shot on
target that Shearer saved pushing the ball out for a corner. Macadie fired the
corner into the Formartine box and Gary Weir got in a good header which was defected
for another corner. This one was cleared by Formartine who broke up-field with
Michael Ewen passing the ball into the feet of Stuart Soane but James More was
quick off his mark and saved with his feet.
It's an action-packed game with both sides continuing to
make chances. 5 minutes from half-time Gary Manson broke up the left, slid in
Allan who laid it to Cunningham, he played it back to Manson who swung a cross
into the back post for Weir who had a half-volley that went just past the post.
Formartine broke from the by-kick and a Callum Bagshaw cross
into the Academy box was missed by everyone before falling to Stuart Soane nut
he put his volley over the cross-bar.
It was then Academy's turn to have another crack when
Macadie sent Allan on his way up the right flank. He played the ball to Weir
and keeper Shearer saved his shot with his feet.
Michael Ewen then had a header from a Stuart Smith cross that
went straight to More from 16 yards out, and then right on the stroke of half-time
they pulled a goal back. Stuart Soane had a shot saved that fell nicely for
Callum Bagshaw and he smashed the ball in to give the home side some hope that they
can still pull something back.
1 – 3
Half Time – Formartine United 1 – Wick Academy 3
Formartine start the second half in determined looking mood
and in the 58th minute forced a corner on the left which Academy
failed to properly clear. Soane headed it back into the mix and Hamish Munro
hit a half-volley that went just past the outside of the More's left hand post.
A minute later the home side are right back in the game. A
high ball was played into the Academy area which Grant Steven got a foot on and
the ball bounced up into the box. More was unsure if he was going to come to
catch it, and Michael Ewen nipped in and slotted home into an empty net.
2 – 3
On 65 minutes Academy win a free kick on the left that is
fired to the back post by Sam Mackay. Gary Weir drifted in un-marked but he
couldn't direct his header on target.
2 minutes later the home side square the scores. A cross
from the left from Stuart Smith is headed back down into the area by Michael
Ewen into the path of Michael Bagshaw. Bagshaw mis-hit his shot but got enough on
the ball to send it over the line.
3 – 3
Ross Campbell and Gary Weir pick up bookings, Campbell for a
late tackle through the back of Sam Mackay, and Weir for descent.
Academy make a change with Pickles coming on for Mackay.
The Scorries have another chance. Weir won a high ball and
laid it to Allan who in turn teed up Macadie who had a 23 yard first time drive
that went just over the cross-bar.
Last 5 minutes of the game and the home side are hunting for
the winner. Hamish Munro pumped in a corner from the right but Craig McKeown headed
it wide.
Formartine then had a shout for a penalty waved away by
Morag Pirie. A high ball into the Academy box was won well by Daniel Park and
fired wide under pressure with the Formartine players claiming he had been
pulled down.
2 minutes into stoppage time and Academy have a chance to
win the game. They force a corner which is taken short by Macadie to
Cunningham. Cunningham played it back to Macadie who set himself but fired his
attempt just over the cross-bar.
The game ends 3-3 with what has been a great come-back for
the home side. There are many twists and turns yet to come in this season's title
race and Academy now welcome league leaders Cove Rangers to Harmsworth Park
next Saturday. The beat Forres 2-0 today.
Full Time – Formartine United 3 – Wick Academy 3
