Academy opened the scoring just past the hour mark. The ball
was played forward into the box for Steven Anderson. His cross was blocked but
the ball fell back to him and on the second attempt he made no mistake drilling
it across goal and into the bottom corner of the net.
Clachnacuddin 0 – Wick Academy 1
Two minutes later referee Ben Dempster awarded a penalty to
Academy after Davie Allan looked to have been fouled, but after consulting with
his assistant he changed the decision to a dropped ball.
Clach manager Ian Polworth rang the changes in an attempt to
get back on terms. In the space of 4 minutes he used all of his substitutes
with Scott Davidson, Sean Fitzpatrick and Daniel Maclennan all coming off for
Gordon Morrison, Andrew Fraser and Michael Grimes.
Clach almost equalised when Callum Macdonald launched a long
free-kick into the Academy box. Ryan Mackintosh got his head to it but Sean
McCarthy pulled off a top-drawer save turning it for a corner.
On the 90th minute the game turned on its head
as Clach equalised. A long diagonal ball found Ian Penwright in the Academy
box. Grant Steven put him under pressure but Penwright got his shot off and it found
the back of the net.
Clachnacuddin 1 – Wick Academy 1
So into injury time and penalty kicks looming, but not a
chance! Academy went on the attack from the kick-off and worked the ball into
the Clach box. Referee Dempster spotted a foul on Steven Anderson and he awarded
Academy a penalty. Sam Mackay stepped up and smacked the spot-kick home off the
under-side of the cross-bar to send the Academy travelling support into
raptures.
Clachnacuddin 1 – Wick Academy 2
In the last action of the game substitute Gordon Morrison
managed to get a 25 yard free kick on target but his low effort was safely
collected by Sean McCarthy.
Full Time – Clachnacuddin 1 – Wick Academy 2
Academy now face Inverness Caley Thistle away in the semi-final.
Nairn County beat Strathspey Thistle 2-1 tonight so they travel to Forres
Mechanics in the other semi-final game.
