A half-time approach Academy won a free-kick square-on 25
yard from goal. Sam Mackay took it and his attempt whistled just past the keepers
left hand post.
On 45 minutes Academy created another chance. Michael Steven
drove forward with the ball and fired it into Weir's feet. Weir laid it off to
Geruzel who side-stepped his defender and set up Richard Macadie but his shot
was blocked.
Into first-half injury time Cove created another chance as
Lennox had a right foot shot 25 yards from goal that More turned around the
base of his post, and that concluded the first-time action.
Half Time – Cove Rangers 3 – Wick Academy 1
At the start of the second half Barry Wilson made a double
change with Manson and Pickles coming off and Lamb and Ross Allan came on. Ross
Allan took 2 minutes to make his impact on the game as he shot from the left across
goal and the ball came off the back post and into the net.
3 – 2
In the next minute Academy should have squared the scores.
Weir won the ball on the right and crossed to Ross Allan 6 yards from goal. He
got his shot on target but Cove keeper Craig Reid dived across his goal and made
a fantastic save.
Craig Reid again stopped Academy squaring the scores. The
ball was played to Geruzel who went one-on-one with Reid who spread himself and
made another great save.
Cove inflicted the sucker punch as Jonny Smith played Ryan
Stott in down the left channel. He drove a low shot in at the near post that
was too powerful for More to keep out.
4 – 2
Academy kept plugging but Reid again was in the thick of the
action. Sam Mackay cut in from the left and from 25 yards fired a powerful
effort on target which Reid was equal to and he pulled off another good save.
On the 76th minute Cove sealed the 3 points when
they went nap. A low diagonal ball from the right found Ryan Stott in the box.
He took a touch, steadied himself and his left foot shot took a nick off Grant
Steven and flew into the net.
5 – 2
Cove had two further chances before full time. Yule crossed from
the left and found Watson in the box but he headed over bar. Walker then forced
a good save from More.
To rub more salt into the Academy wounds the Scorries
finished the game with only 10 men as Lukasz Geruzel limped off with an injury.
Full Time – Cove Rangers 5 – Wick Academy 2
