Ten minutes before half-time Mitch Megginson squared the ball
for Paul McManus who looked certain to score, only for McCarthy to pull off a
stunning instinctive save with his legs.
Some solid defending and terrific midfield battling from
Academy was justly rewarded with a half-time lead when Steven Anderson drove
forcefully through the middle and Macadie laid the ball off for MacGregor who
drilled a low effort into the bottom corner from just outside the box.
2 – 1
Half Time – Wick Academy 2 – Cove Rangers 1
Cove were gifted a route back into the game only a minute
after the restart when Yule fell under a challenge from Michael Steven and
referee Billy Baxter pointed to the spot despite the protests from the Academy
players that no contact had been made. McCarthy dived the right way but Paul
McManus' effort had too much power on it as it nestled into the bottom corner.
2 – 2
Both sides struggled to create chances during the remainder
of the game until the 86th minute when Cove put together the best move of the
match, resulting in Yule, side stepping Grant Steven and lashing an unstoppable
shot that went in off the inside of the post to break Academy hearts.
2 – 3
Full Time – Wick Academy 2 – Cove Rangers 3
