Geruzel then had a half-volley that went straight to keeper Stuart Knight.
Forres had their first real crack on target on 14 minutes
when Paul Smith drove a shot straight at Michael Gray. Gray was then quick off
his line to clear a long ball that was played through to Lee Fraser.
In Forres's next attack Gary Manson headed out a high ball
which fell to Scott Moore who hit a great shot that shaved off the outside of
Gray's right hand post.
Academy should have taken the lead on 27 minutes when
Geruzel flicked the ball over the top of the Forres defence for Sam Mackay who
tried to chip keeper Knight but he put just too much on it and it went over the
cross-bar.
So several great chances for Academy which they couldn't
convert and it was Forres that scored the opener in the next attack. The ball
was swung in from the left by Graham Fraser and was picked up by Stuart Soane
and he smacked a shot from about 18 yards into Gray's bottom left hand corner.
0 – 1
Gray then made a good save as Scott More found half a yard
on his defender Alex Lamb and he fired the ball across the face of goal which
Gray dived to his right to stop with a strong hand.
Forres were then forced to make a change with Duncan Jones
coming off injured and Ross MacPherson came on in his place. Referee Graham
Elder stopped the game for well over a minute allowing MacPherson time to get his strip on and boots
tied which riled up the home support.
Half Time – Wick Academy 0 – Forres Mechanics 1
Academy started the second half in attacking mood and a ball
from the right found the head of Geruzel but his header went just wide of
target. Mackay then played another cross into Geruzel but again the big Polish
striker flashed his header just wide of target from 6 yards out.
Academy kept on the attack but it just seemed is if nothing
would fall to them as the Forres defence cut out several through balls for
Academy runners.
The Scorries then should have squared the scores. Macadie
hit the bye-line on the right and fired across goal. It went past everyone
before being returned from the left by Cunningham for Geruzel who was free in
the box but he missed the ball with a gaping net waiting. Any touch at all
would have probably seen it cross the line. It had the makings of one of those
days!
Alex Lamb picked up a booking for a trip on Lee Fraser, and Forres
had a claim for a hand ball from the free kick resulting in Simon Allan also
getting a booking for protesting about it to referee Graham Elder.
Academy made a change bringing on Gary Weir for Alex Lamb
and as Forres started to play deeper Academy pushed to try to get the
equaliser.
The remainder of the game was punctuated by a further 7
bookings the bulk of which appeared to be for dissent.
Ross Allan came on for Gary Manson and he was immediately
into the action as he crossed to the head of Gary Weir but he couldn't direct
it on target.
A Mackay drive from 20 yards went over the cross-bar and he was
then one of the late bookings as he protested when about 30 yards from goal a
Forres player slid in and nicked the ball of his toes playing it back to keeper
Knight who picked it up. It looked like a sound case for a pass-back but
referee Elder waved away the protests.
Forres defended in numbers as the game fizzled out as they
cleared everything that came in their direction and in about their only goal threat of the second half Gray saved a good attempt from a Simon Allan free-kick.
Full Time – Wick Academy 0 – Forres Mechanics 1
Formartine United beat Huntly 4-1 so they are top of the table
over Brora Rangers who were in Scottish Cup action today. Academy are 3rd
with a 4 point lead over nearest rivals Nairn County.
