It took the visitors 30 minutes before they really
threatened the Academy goal. Daniel MacLennan managed to get a foot on a loose
ball in the Academy box. It spun up in the air and Sean McCarthy stopped it
with one hand and then collected.
Academy looked the more likely to score at this stage in the
game and they created another good chance. Steven Anderson slipped the ball in
front of Grant Campbell who ran into the box with the ball at his feet but came
under pressure from a covering defender and he slide his shot straight to
Watson.
Academy had by far the best chances of the first half but
the sides went in at the break with neither goal-line being breached.
Half Time – Wick Academy 0 – Clachnacuddin 0
The second half started with a couple of scrambled clearances
by the Clach defence.
Grant Campbell then collected the ball on the edge of the Clach
box. He turned with the ball at his feet but his shot went straight at the keeper.
On 53 minutes it was the visitors that opened the scoring. Calum
Macdonald cut the ball back across goal to the Clach captain Gordon Morrison
who had his back to goal. He swivelled and poked the ball into bottom corner.
Wick Academy 0 – Clachnacuddin 1
Four minutes later Grant Steven took down Daniel Maclennan
in the Academy box and referee David Watt pointed to the penalty spot. Gordon
Morrison stepped up and as cool as you like sent McCarthy the wrong way and
fired the ball into the opposite corner of the net.
Wick Academy 0 – Clachnacuddin 2
Academy won a free-kick in a good position on the right hand
side of the penalty area when Sean Fitzpatrick hauled down Davie Allan.
Fitzpatrick was booked for the challenge. Gary Manson whipped in the free-kick
but it whistled past the outside of the far post.
Academy tried to get back into the game but it was Clach
that extended their lead. A Clach corner kick was floated to the back post and
it was headed back by David McGurk to Gordon Morrison and his deflected shot
flew into the bottom corner of the net for his hat-trick.
Wick Academy 0 – Clachnacuddin 3
In the final action of the game Steven Anderson had a shot
that keeper Watson collected low down at his right hand post which ensured he
kept a clean sheet.
This really was a game of two halves with Academy dominating
the first half but they couldn't repeat that in the second half and it was
Clach that scored the vital goals to secure the three points.
Full Time – Wick Academy 0 – Clachnacuddin 3
