Academy almost pulled one back before half-time when Pickles
crossed from the left to Weir about 15 yards from goal but he headed over the
cross-bar.
Half-Time – Formartine United 2 – Wick Academy 0
Academy almost pulled a goal back at the start of the second
half Weir slid the ball into the feet of Davie Allan on the edge of the box. He
ran in on goal and got round keeper Andy Shearer but the Formartine goalie
managed to get a hand on Allan's shot and then gathered at the second attempt.
Just past the hour Stevie Cunningham took a quick Academy
free-kick about 22 yards from goal. Macadie latched onto it and hit a first
time right-foot shot that keeper Shearer fisted around the post.
Academy are playing great stuff and are putting Formartine
under pressure. Substitute Alan Hughes crossed from the right and Weir put
keeper Andy Shearer under pressure and he dropped the ball. Formartine can't
clear and the ball fell to Macadie and his shot was hacked off the line and
over the bar by some last-ditch Formartine defending. The resulting corner was
swung in and Sam Mackay flicked it on for Weir to crack a shot on target that
took a deflection and flicked off the post.
Another chance fell to Academy as they hunted for a way back
into the game. Allan flicked the ball out wide to Alan Hughes. He stepped
inside his marker but his shot went straight down the throat of the keeper.
Formartine launched the ball up-field and Sinclair hesitated
allowing Ewen to steal in. Shearer covered back and pushed Ewen wide leaving an
easy catch for Gray from Ewen's shot.
The Academy pressure finally paid off with 15 minutes of the
game left. Weir headed a high ball into the Formartine box and despite some
close marking Davie Allan got his foot on the ball and flicked it past keeper
Shearer.
2 – 1
As Academy pushed for the equaliser Formartine killed the
game as a long high ball over the top caught the defence napping and Michael
Ewen was on it like a flash and from 16 yards out he lifted the ball over Gray
and into the net.
3 – 1
Academy couldn't find a response but should take heart from
a great second half performance.
Full-Time – Formartine United 3 – Wick Academy 1
