Cove stamped their authority in the second half and doubled
their advantage in the 53rd minute. Roy McBain's cross from the left wing found
an unchallenged Daniel Park in the six yard box and he nodded the ball past a
despairing McCarthy.
2 – 0
It was a bruising encounter with James Pickles hobbling off
with an ankle injury midway through the second half. His replacement Lukasz
Geruzel almost made an immediate impact when Allan made a lung-busting run down
the left wing to find the Pole in the six yard box. But the striker had his
back to goal and was unable to get a shot away with Stuart Walker managing to
shepherd the ball away from the danger area.
Academy went close again to pulling one back when Grant Campbell's
powerful low drive forced Kinnaird to make an excellent save.
With 10 minutes to go, McCarthy handed over the gloves to
James More after being forced to retire with a groin problem.
Two minutes later, Cove had one hand on the cup when they
made it 3-0. More blocked Park's original strike at goal but Nicol was first to
the rebound to fire home his second as the Cove players celebrated, knowing victory
was almost certain.
3 – 0
If there was still any doubt, Cove snuffed any hope of a
late Wick revival three minutes from time when Nicol's cross found the head of
substitute Johnny Smith, who had only been on the park for a minute, and he nodded home from close range.
4 – 0
Full Time – Cove Rangers 4 – Wick Academy 0
