On-form homesters prove too much for Mechanics

Wick Academy 3 Forres Mechanics 1

It was windy and wild in Wick but in the end the title chasing Scorries came out on top in a game that was better than could have been expected given the conditions. The first shot on target came from the Mechanics with Ross Archibald focing James more to dive to his left to save.

However the home team responded with a goal just minutes later. Craig Shearer collected an initial clearance from Gary Manson’s free kick and although his shot was blocked it bounced into the path of Richard Macadie who turned it home from close range.

David Allan went close for the Scorries before Craig Shearer had the ball in the net only for an offside flag to deny him. Despite having the wind at their backs the Mechanics were struggling to threaten the Wick goal with Stevie Cunningham twice trying his luck.

At the other end Ross Archibald brought out another save from James More while seven minutes before the break Duncan Jones flashed a shot across goal but it flew wide.

There was still just the one goal in it at the break but that changed early in the second half as Wick quickly put the game to bed. Stevie Cunningham played the ball into Gary Weir who cracked home a shot from the left that beat Stuart Knight and flew into the corner of the net.

By the 53rd minute it was 3-0 and this time it was Stevie Cunningham who was on the mark with a stunning wind assisted volley from all of 40 yards that flew just under the crossbar and into the net despite Stuart Knight doing his best to get fingertips to the ball.

There was a further blow for the Can Cans on the hour mark when Craig McGovern went down with a knee injury. He was replaced by Scott Lawrie with Nathan Sharp coming on for Ryan Mackintosh at the same time as the manager rejigged.

Despite the set backs the Mechanics continued to battle on and didn’t allow the game to get away from them, grabbing a goal back late on. Lee Fraser galloped free from the Scorries defence and cleverly chipped the ball over James More and into the net despite the despairing efforts of Alan Farquhar.

Wick Academy: James More, Michael Steven (Shaun Sinclair 71), Gary Manson, Alan Farquhar, Grant Steven, Craig Shearer (James Pickles 63), Sam Mackay, Stevie Cunningham, Gary Weir (Bryan McKiddie 81), Richard Macadie, David Allan Subs: Barry Wilson, Michael Gray

Scorers: Richard Macadie (9) Gary Weir (48) Stevie Cunningham (53)

Booked: Michael Steven (49) Sent Off: -

Forres Mechanics: Stuart Knight, Graham Fraser, Simon Allan, Graeme Grant, Steven Fraser, Duncan Jones, Ross Archibald, Ryan Mackintosh (Nathan Sharp 61), Lee Fraser, Kyle Scott (Andrew Howard 79), Craig McGovern (Scott Lawrie 61)

Scorer: Lee Fraser (88)

Booked: Graham Fraser (49) Sent Off: -

Referee: Billy Baxter

Gazette Gold Star: Graeme Grant was on top form once again and he continues to produce a high standard of performance week in week out.