Frustration for Wick Academy as Clach come away with a draw
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THERE was festive frustration for Wick Academy as they had to settle for a share of the points with Clachnacuddin at Harmsworth Park in their last Highland League fixture before Christmas.
Both goals in the 1-1 draw came inside the opening quarter as Jack Henry cancelled out Scott Graham’s early opener for Clach.
For much of the game the Scorries looked more than capable of making it back-to-back wins following the previous Saturday’s fine 2-1 away success over Formartine United. But although they had the edge in terms of possession and pressure, the home side fell short where it mattered most – in front of goal.
Clach were the Lilywhites in nickname only as they took to the field in their pink and black change kit. They proceeded to forge ahead in their first attack, with six minutes gone, after being awarded a free kick on the edge of the box in a central position.
Graham’s dead-ball attempt was charged down by the wall, but the rebound fell kindly for him and he hooked a dipping shot into the net to the left of the diving Gordon Clark.
The equaliser on 18 minutes owed much to the determination and persistence of Sam Mackay. He battled for possession on the right, close to the by-line, and just as the midfielder looked to have been crowded out he managed to win possession back.
The ball was played across the edge of the box and Henry struck an unerring left-foot shot beyond Jake Williamson into the bottom corner.
It was Academy's first goal at Harmsworth Park for more than three months – since Richard Macadie completed the scoring in the 5-1 victory over Lossiemouth on September 14.
Ryan Campbell was off target with a long-range effort after a marauding run down the left by Gary Manson, linking up well with Davie Allan.
Allan was involved again in another fast-paced attack as he put Gordon MacNab through, but the striker’s low effort was blocked by Williamson.
Just after the half-hour mark it was Academy’s turn to be awarded a free kick on the edge of the box directly in front of goal, after a foul on Mackay by Michael Finnis. Mackay took the kick himself but dragged it just wide of the keeper’s right-hand post.
Wick threatened again as Allan cut in from the right but his shot lacked power and Williamson held it comfortably.
An incisive move on the right culminated in Campbell playing the ball across the face of goal and Jack Halliday looked certain to score from point-blank range. However, he was denied either by a bobble or by the slightest of touches from a backtracking defender – or a combination of both.
Just before the break Clach ventured upfield and Finnis tried his luck from distance, but his shot flew over the top.
The visitors carved out a series of half-chances early in the second half. Martin Callum latched on to a loose ball and his opportunist strike trundled just past a post, a free kick by Callum was nodded wide by Finnis, then Ross Logan broke clear but lost control and Clark was able to gather.
Academy had been the more enterprising side for most of the afternoon, but as the game wore on they seemed to run out of ideas against a well-drilled Clach outfit and had to be content with a draw.
The sponsors’ man of the match trophy deservedly went to Ryan Campbell, who impressed with his ball-winning ability and intelligent distribution.
Wick Academy: Clark, MacRae, Manson, Farquhar, D Mackay, Henry (R Macadie 64), Campbell, Halliday, MacNab (Hughes 64), S Mackay (M Macadie 79), Allan. Subs not used: Aitkenhead, More.
Clachnacuddin: Williamson, Mackintosh, Finnis, Webb (Macdonald 13), Miller, MacAskill, Gillies, Callum (Anderson 78), Cameron, Graham, Logan. Subs not used: Lewis, McBride.
Referee: Billy Baxter.
