Wick Academy under-18s have to work hard for 5-2 win at Nairn
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Wick Academy picked up three points on the road on Sunday with a 5-2 victory over Nairn in SHFL Under-18 North but were made to work hard by the battling home side.
The young Scorries started brightly and created a few half-chances. Morgan Kennedy, Kian Mackay and Sam Shearer all had decent efforts from distance.
Academy broke the deadlock after 22 minutes when Kennedy was put through on goal and produced a clinical finish. Wick continued to dominate but were hit by a sucker punch on 37 minutes when Joshua Stephenson curled a free kick into the far corner to level things up.
The young Scorries regained the lead on the stroke of half-time. Joshua Hughes was brought down in the box and Kennedy converted the penalty.
Nairn had their best passage of play at the start of the second half and Ruairidh Innes converted after a fine build-up to make it 2-2.
Nairn were then reduced to 10 when John Fowler was shown a straight red for a dangerous tackle on Mackay.
Academy started to dominate and Kennedy completed his hat-trick with another fine finish. Sean Pearson added the fourth, knocking the ball home from close range after a super cross by Owen Bain, and Mackay completed the scoring with a nice finish from close range.
Coach Derek Shearer said: “We played well at times and were well on top but we know we can play better. Although we scored five, I still feel we need to be more clinical in front of goal.
"I’m happy with the three points as Nairn worked hard and made it difficult for us.”
