Saturday April 20th
Academy up to third after completing double over Broch
Academy moved up to third in the Highland League after
coming from behind to win 3-1 against 10-man Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park.
Lukasz Geruzel scored twice in as many minutes – the second
coming from the penalty spot after Fraserburgh's Ryan Christie had been sent
off – as the Scorries completed an impressive league double over Kris Hunter's
side.
The home side went ahead in spectacular fashion after 18
minutes as Neil Main's wind-assisted free kick flew past Michael Gray.
Academy made a better start to the second period and came
close to an equaliser when a free kick from Richard Macadie came crashing off
the crossbar.
Barry Wilson's men kept up the pressure and they were level
on 54 minutes. Sam Mackay and Stevie Cunningham combined to create an opening
for Geruzel, and the Polish frontman held off two defenders before driving the
ball into the corner of the net.
A minute or so later, Davie Allan was pulled back inside the
box by Christie who was red-carded by referee Thomas Shaw. Jonathan Dunbar got
a touch to Geruzel's powerful spot-kick but couldn't keep it out.
Gray had to be at his best to tip a header from Zak Conway
onto the bar as Fraserburgh battled to get back on level terms.
But Academy wrapped up the points in the 77th
minute. Allan latched on to a well-judged through ball from Macadie, took it
round Dunbar and found the net from a tight angle.
Wick had won 4-1 when the sides met at Harmsworth Park in
September, and that scoreline could easily have been matched in the latter
stages as Macadie missed from close range and Cunningham fired a shot over the
top from the edge of the box.
Nevertheless it was a highly satisfying result for Academy
on their last away trip of the 2012/13 campaign, and they now have four home
games to look forward to – against Nairn County, Huntly, Strathspey Thistle and
Deveronvale.
Formartine United kept up their seemingly relentless march
to the summit as they swept to a 5-1 victory over Clachnacuddin at North Lodge
Park.
Formartine's goals came from Daniel Park, Craig McKeown,
Bruce Milne (o.g), Mike Ewen and Calum Bagshaw, with Paul Brindle replying for
the Lilywhites. Kevin Webster missed a penalty for the home side.
That result, allied to Academy's win, meant Clach dropped to
fourth.
Cove Rangers remain three points clear at the top after
hammering Fort William 6-0 at Claggan Park, although Formartine have four games
in hand. Martin Johnston hit a hat-trick for Cove and Ryan Stott weighed in
with a double, with Jordan Leyden getting the other.
Buckie Thistle were 3-1 winners against 10-man Lossiemouth
at Victoria Park.
Chris Angus opened the scoring for the Jags and Shawn Scott
doubled the lead before Gary MacDonald pulled one back.
Scott hit the post with a spot-kick after an incident that
saw the Coasters' Kevin Flett being red-carded. However, Buckie made sure of
the points when Donnie Munro grabbed their third.
Forres Mechanics and Deveronvale drew 2-2 at Mosset Park.
Martin Charlesworth gave Vale an early lead before Scott
Lawrie equalised from the penalty spot. Scott Moore put the Can-Cans in front
at the start of the second half but a fine strike by Connor Rennie ensured a
share of the points.
Huntly had a comfortable 5-0 victory at Rothes with goals
from Andrzej-Slawomir Kleczkowski, Grant Campbell, Neale Davidson, Craig Dorrat
and Daniel Stewart.
Mike McKenzie and Cammy Bowden were on target in Turriff
United's 2-0 away win against Strathspey Thistle.
Inverurie Locos and Keith will go head-to-head in the final
of the Breedon Aggregates Highland League Cup after overcoming Brora Rangers
and Nairn County respectively in Saturday's semi-final ties.
Neil Gauld and Andy Low got the goals in Locos' 2-0 victory
at Harlaw Park, while over at Kynoch Park an early strike from Bruce Raffel was
enough to end Nairn's hopes of a second trophy to add to the North of Scotland
Cup.
