Academy power past short-handed Clach and into cup semi
Scorers — Clach: Ross (64). Wick: Mackay (25, 47) Geruzel (46).
CLACH lost the plot after being reduced to nine men as Wick Academy confidently strode past the Inverness side into the semi-final of the AJG Parcels North of Scotland Cup.
Sam Mackay is relishing his new role as club captain as his two goals helped put the game out of sight two minutes after the interval.
The visitors attacked straight from the kick-off and were unlucky not to take the lead early on when Davie Allan blazed a shot over the bar after capitalising on a lack of communication in the home defence.
The hosts responded swiftly and attacking midfielder Chris Ross watched his deflected drive calmly gathered by Michael Gray.
The Caithness men were to get their reward for their first half dominance after 26 minutes when captain Mackay beat the offside trap and managed to hook a high shot over goalkeeper John Campbell.
Nine minutes later, the Lilywhites were reduced to 10 men when Scott Graham was sent off after an assistant ref spotted him having a swipe at an opponent.
Academy made their man advantage count straight from the kick-off in the second half and scored twice in the opening two minutes. Academy played route one football straight up the park for the ball to land to Lukasz Geruzel, who played in Pentland United’s 4-3 defeat to Wick Groats only 24 hours earlier, to rocket past Campbell to double the visitors’ lead.
Moments after the Clach restart, the visitors broke again and it was captain Sam Mackay who confidently stuck his effort away to leave Iain Polworth raging at his side’s capitulation. Wick Academy took the foot off the pedal and allowed their opponents to come back into the match, with Clach creating a number of chances.
The Merkinchers’ perseverance was rewarded on 63 minutes when Chris Ross steered a fine swerving shot through a ruck of bodies into the net to reduce the deficit.
But they could not find a second goal to give them a glimpse of getting back into the tie and their agony was compounded when Colin Williamson was sent off in stoppage time for a lunging challenge on Gary Weir.
The win in the Highland capital sets up a tasty semi-final clash with Sutherland neighbours Brora Rangers either on September 18 or 19.
Academy: Gray, Cunningham, R. Allan, Farquhar, G. Steven, Mackay, Manson, Pickles (McKiddie 74), Geruzel (Shearer 69), Macadie (Weir 63), D. Allan. Subs not used: Sinclair and More.
Clachnacuddin: Campbell, Finnis, Tatters, Macleod, Williamson, Macleod (Morrison 76), Ross, Pollock, Brindle (Kennedy 60), Graham, Lawrie.
Subs not used: Harrison, Davidson and Macdonald.
Referee: Mr G. Fraser.