Weir steals it for Academy from Nairn at the death
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A MOMENT of magic from Davie Allan was the difference on Wednesday evening as Academy finally beat County after two heartbreaking reverses earlier this season to all but assure their best ever finish of third in the Highland League.
Despite being the most likely to score, the hosts were guilty of a lack of composure in front of goal, opting to walk the ball into the net instead of pulling the trigger.
With time running out, a piece of brilliance from Allan saw him go on a 40-yard run down the right wing before cutting into the box dancing around four defenders and laying it on a plate for Gary Weir to finish from two yards.
Manager Barry Wilson said despite winning by bigger margins, it was one of his side’s best performances, but said the night belonged to Allan.
"To not only beat four players in the space of 15 yards with four minutes left but to have the awareness to cut it back for his team-mate when most people would have lashed it, he’s different class," he said.
"That one bit of magic just underlines why he is so valuable to us and why I immediately signed him up to a long-term contract as soon as I came to the club."
Wilson feared Academy’s incisive build-up play would count for nothing due to a lack of cutting edge in front of goal.
"We played some of the best football we have played in a long time but for the majority of the game we were trying to walk the ball into the goal," he said. "Every time they got near goal, they wanted an extra touch or an extra pass.
"But if ever a team deserved late goal and we haven’t scored many this season, it was us."
Flu victim Lukasz Geruzel was a late call-off for Academy with Weir taking his place in the starting line-up.
In a nervy first half, both sides played attacking football but neither goalkeeper was called into action. Weir had the best chance when he beat two defenders and homed in on keeper Callum Donaldson. Weir’s attempt to step round the keeper forced him too wide to get any shot on goal.
The second half was a livelier affair and on 64 minutes Sam Mackay launched a 60 yard pass to Allan who beat the offside trap and forced Donaldson to parry the ball away for a corner.
County rarely threatened during the game but could have scored when a Connor Gethins corner was flapped away by Michael Gray to find Andrew Neill whose netbound shot was blocked on the line by an Academy defender.
Michael Steven and Weir both forced Donaldson to pull off good saves to keep the scores level as the game looked like heading for a draw.
But Harmsworth Park rose to its feet four minutes from time when Allan zoomed down the right wing towards the corner flag before cutting inside and dancing around four defenders.
As Donaldson rushed towards him anticipating a shot, Allan squared to Weir who hammered the ball home to seal all three points.
Wick: Gray, M. Steven, Manson, Farquhar, Pickles, Shearer (G. Steven 85) Cunningham, Mackay, Weir (McKiddie 88) Macadie, D. Allan.
Subs not used: More and R. Allan.
Nairn: Donaldson, Webb, Main, Morrison, MacDonald, A. Naismith, Ellis, Mendes (R. Naismith 77) Duncanson, Gethins, Neill. Subs not used: Macleod, Macmillan, Anderson and McLean.
Referee: Billy Baxter.
