Macadie's night ends on high as Dons are beaten
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Wick Academy 2 Aberdeen XI 1
Supporters turned out in force to honour one of Academy's greatest servants as Richard Macadie put in a display that nicely crowned off his testimonial year.
Macadie has given his all in a black-and-white shirt over the years and it was only fitting that he should be rewarded having put in so much.
His display at Harmsworth Park on Tuesday night, especially in the second half, showed why he has been a mainstay of the Wick side and will continue to be so.
Macadie's involvement in the winning goal gave the perfect snapshot of his Academy career.
Boxed in by Aberdeen players, he still managed to thread the ball through the eye of a needle to release his old mate Gary Weir who duly slotted it into the net.
It was a piece of ingenuity that had the fans on their feet, and a mouse in the Clair Harper Stand running about with squeaking delight.
The fact that it was Weir – semi-retired for two years – who finished off Macadie's assist made it all the more special as the duo have known each other since school.
For a while it had looked as if Academy were going to be in for a very long night. Aberdeen's young stars may have lacked the physicality of their opponents, but having access to top-quality coaches and sports scientists on a full-time basis gave them an advantage in terms of skill and fitness.
The Dons were quick, had good movement off the ball and with some slick passing created a number of chances that kept Sean McCarthy busy.
David Dangana, Kevin Hanratty and Bruce Anderson were all denied by the Wick goalie and when the latter did get one past McCarthy, the crossbar intervened.
Anderson would be rewarded for his persistence on the half-hour when Calvin Ramsay's cutback from the right reached the unmarked striker who side-footed home.
He would have had a double were it not for the brilliance of McCarthy who somehow clawed back Anderson's effort that looked destined to hit the net.
This would prove to be the turning point.
A minute from half-time, Wick were awarded a free kick some 30 yards out. Craig Gunn tried a shot on goal and it paid off with a deflection taking the ball past keeper Archie Mair for the equaliser.
Wick came out rejuvenated after half-time. With Macadie pulling the strings, the man of the moment rolled back the years as he and substitute Weir combined to put Academy in front.
Aberdeen's young guns seemed to lose the composure that had served them well prior to the equaliser as the Wick defence held firm.
But it was Macadie's night first and foremost and he received a well-deserved standing ovation when he came off with a minute to go. Not just for his display on the night, but for many more since making his debut in 2003.
Wick Academy: Sean McCarthy, Gary Manson, Alan Farquhar, Jack Henry, Craig Gunn, Ross Allan, Richard Macadie, Davie Allan, Marc Macgregor, Sam Mackay, Andrew Hardwick. Subs: Shaun Sinclair, Alec Lamb, Jack Halliday, Gordon MacNab, Grant Aitkenhead, Martin Gunn, Craig Shearer, Mark Macadie, Andrew Falconer, Stewart Ross, Gary Weir, Gordon Clark.
Aberdeen XI: Archie Mair, Calvin Ramsay, Jack Mackenzie, Lloyd Robertson, Luc Bollan, Luke Turner, Lewis Duncan, Tyler Mykyta, David Dangana, Bruce Anderson, Kevin Hanratty. Subs: Max Barry, Connor Barron, Michael Dangana, Kieran Shanks, Tom Ritchie.
Referee: Gordon Seago
