Post by Brian Mackay on Apr 9, 2005 11:27:12 GMT
As Wick as a parrot 02-Apr-2005 - from www.highlandleague.net - by Alan Farquhar
Fraserburgh produced the ultimate late late show to turn defeat into victory in dramatic fashion at Harmsworth Park this afternoon setting up a derby match against Deveronvale in seven days time.
The game opened at a furious pace and in the third minute a throughball over the top of the Wick defence saw Mike Stephen release Gavin Wemyss but the winger turned striker fired over the bar from 18 yards under pressure from the covering Graeme Reid. At the other end Craig Shearer produced a similar throughball for Martin Gunn whose first time volley brought out a fine save from Broch keeper Billy Gordon.
Gary Manson thought he had opened the scoring on the 20th minute have curled a free kick around the wall however Billy Gordon acrobatically tipped the ball away from the top corner conceding a corner in the process. From that corner, also taken by Gary Manson, Graeme Reid headed the ball back across goal for Craig Shearer and he volleyed home to give the homesters the advantage.
The lead became two just a minute later when Nigel Mackenzie's cross from the right was headed onto his own crossbar by Neil Main. When the ball ricocheted off the bar Russell McBride was adjudged to have handled and the referee Stuart Logan pointed to the spot. Martin Gunn stepped up and fired the ball down the middle while the keeper went left and suddenly Wick were in the driving seat.
Three minutes after the break Michael Stephen signalled the Broch's intentions with a snap shot from 18 yards that Don Macmillan comfortably saved. The warning was not heeded and in 57th minute the visitors pulled one back. Derek Milne went down the right and crossed into the box for Gavin Wemyss to loop a header (yes a header) over MacMillan from twelve yards.
On the hour mark Gavin Wemyss very nearly levelled with a drilled effort that shook the frame of the goal, coming back out off the left hand post only to bounce out to the Scorries defence who cleared. With fifteen minutes later Michael Stephen volleyed an effort into the side netting when well placed as it looked as though Wick were going to hold on for the win.
There was only four minutes left on the clock when the Broch scored the all important leveller. Young sub Graham Johnston's strike hit the post from 12 yards out but this time fortune favoured Fraserburgh as the ball fell to Trevor Fleming who reacted quickly to knock the ball into the net from ten yards.
A now deflated Academy were to be sickened when an injury time goal saw the chance of regrouping for extra time snatched away from them. Michael Stephen's ball was only half cleared and Mark Cowie was on hand to round Don MacMillan before stroking the ball into the empty net to the joy of his team mates.
Full Time: Wick Academy 2 Fraserburgh 3
Reporter: Alan Farquhar
Fraserburgh produced the ultimate late late show to turn defeat into victory in dramatic fashion at Harmsworth Park this afternoon setting up a derby match against Deveronvale in seven days time.
The game opened at a furious pace and in the third minute a throughball over the top of the Wick defence saw Mike Stephen release Gavin Wemyss but the winger turned striker fired over the bar from 18 yards under pressure from the covering Graeme Reid. At the other end Craig Shearer produced a similar throughball for Martin Gunn whose first time volley brought out a fine save from Broch keeper Billy Gordon.
Gary Manson thought he had opened the scoring on the 20th minute have curled a free kick around the wall however Billy Gordon acrobatically tipped the ball away from the top corner conceding a corner in the process. From that corner, also taken by Gary Manson, Graeme Reid headed the ball back across goal for Craig Shearer and he volleyed home to give the homesters the advantage.
The lead became two just a minute later when Nigel Mackenzie's cross from the right was headed onto his own crossbar by Neil Main. When the ball ricocheted off the bar Russell McBride was adjudged to have handled and the referee Stuart Logan pointed to the spot. Martin Gunn stepped up and fired the ball down the middle while the keeper went left and suddenly Wick were in the driving seat.
Three minutes after the break Michael Stephen signalled the Broch's intentions with a snap shot from 18 yards that Don Macmillan comfortably saved. The warning was not heeded and in 57th minute the visitors pulled one back. Derek Milne went down the right and crossed into the box for Gavin Wemyss to loop a header (yes a header) over MacMillan from twelve yards.
On the hour mark Gavin Wemyss very nearly levelled with a drilled effort that shook the frame of the goal, coming back out off the left hand post only to bounce out to the Scorries defence who cleared. With fifteen minutes later Michael Stephen volleyed an effort into the side netting when well placed as it looked as though Wick were going to hold on for the win.
There was only four minutes left on the clock when the Broch scored the all important leveller. Young sub Graham Johnston's strike hit the post from 12 yards out but this time fortune favoured Fraserburgh as the ball fell to Trevor Fleming who reacted quickly to knock the ball into the net from ten yards.
A now deflated Academy were to be sickened when an injury time goal saw the chance of regrouping for extra time snatched away from them. Michael Stephen's ball was only half cleared and Mark Cowie was on hand to round Don MacMillan before stroking the ball into the empty net to the joy of his team mates.
Full Time: Wick Academy 2 Fraserburgh 3
Reporter: Alan Farquhar