Veteran Roy McBain rallied the home troops and had three shots blocked while Davie Allan and Anderson both went close at the other end after solo runs.
Just on half time Lennox broke through the middle only to his powerful drive blocked by McCarthy’s outstretched right foot.
Half-Time – Cove Rangers 0 – Wick Academy 1
Academy attacked from the restart and when Macadie’s drive was deflected Ross Allan flighted the flag kick high to the back post and after a bout of head tennis in the box the home defence scrambled the ball away. Wood sprinted out to the 18 yard line to kick the ball away as Davie Allan pursued a defence splitting Macadie pass.
Macadie was soon helping his defence, standing up bravely to a fierce Daniel Park shot which bounced off his thigh for a Cove corner.
On the hour McCarthy dived to smother the ball as Lennox closed in.
Cunningham sent Anderson clear one on one with Wood and the young striker’s shot ricocheted to the side. Davie Allan again attacked on the left flank and cut in to chip the ball exquisitely over Wood’s head into the net to put academy 2-0 up. The goal was Allan’s 100th for the club.
0 – 2
There was almost a third after 78 minutes when Campbell burst clear to cross from the left. The ball was headed out and Cunningham’s volley was smothered by Wood.
Cove seemed to have runout of ideas apart from long high ball which were comfortably dealt with my McCarthy and his defenders.
Weir had been frustrated at a few failed efforts but he produced a moment of magic when he waltzed between two defenders in a crowded penalty area and steered the ball low past Wood to quell any fears of a late Cove come back.
0 – 3
In the 90th minute McCarthy stretched to make a spectacular save to keep out a rising shot from Eric Watson but the keeper had no chance when Jonny Smith popped up on the 6 yard line to head a consolation goal.
1 – 3
Full-Time – Cove Rangers 1 – Wick Academy 3
It’s Academy’s third League win on the spin and the three points lifts us up to seventh spot in the table. Next Saturday marks the start of the Scottish Cup and Academy have yet another road-trip ahead of them with the slightly shorter trip to Huntly.
