08-Aug-2009

Lossie went into the game missing defensive pairing Craig Donaldson and Kevin Stuart, while Martin McMullan began a spell offshore. Shawn Scott returned from suspension, and Dan Smith was back in the starting eleven. 

Wick were quick out of the blocks on the opening weekend, firing in a first half 8 against Strathspey, and put in a similar display against Lossie, when Gary Weir forced Darren McConnachie into a flying save after just two minutes. Weir played a part in the opener minutes later, setting up David ALLAN for a low shot from six yards out which flew past McConnachie. 

Lossie were struggling for possession, and were well off the pace in the opening stages. The changes in personnel may have been behind the home sides indifferent start, with only Shawn Scott causing Wick any problems during the first half.

Wick took advantage of Lossies middling performance to double their lead midway through the first half. Indecisive defending saw the home side concede a penalty, and Martin GUNN lashed the ball home right footed to move the visitors further ahead. 

Shawn Scott was still causing Wick problems and was a few feet wide of a spectacular goal, sending an overhead kick just wide. Wick went even closer without adding to their total, Andrew Macleod heading inches wide from a corner.

Half time – Lossiemouth 0 Wick Academy 2

Whatever was said at half time in the Lossie dressing room had the desired effect, as the home side came out looking like a different team. No longer were Lossie scared of the ball, and Wick had no answer to Lossies improved attitude and desire. 

The hosts were back in the game before the hour. Dan Smith played in Shawn SCOTT, who sprinted beyond the defence before rounding James More and finishing from a dozen yards. The former HFL player of the year came closest to an equaliser as Lossie continued to press, heading a corner back across goal only for More to tip it over the bar.

The pace of the game was slowed as the sides made substitutions, and a few running arguments on the pitch gave  the referee cause to test the whistle over the remainder of the match. Wick slowly came back into the game, and could have moved further ahead had Andrew Macleods free kick been on target; instead it curled beyond the far post with McConnachie beaten.

Lossie were restricted to trying to level from corners, with James More kept busy under pressure from McNichol and Biscuits, but Lossie had left themselves to much to do in just one half and paid the price for their first half performance. 

Full time – Lossiemouth 1 Wick Academy 2

Teams

Lossiemouth - Darren McConnachie; Steven Sim, Sam Milton, John Urquhart, Jordan Main, Michael Smith, Dan Smith, Kevin Flett, Shawn Scott, Tony Ross, Sean McIntosh
Wick Academy - James More; Shaun Sinclair, Grant Campbell, Alec Lamb, Andrew Macleod, Steven Cunningham, Martin Gunn, Gary Weir, David Allan, Richard Macadie, Gary Manson

Lossiemouth - Gary McNichol (Kevin Flett, 74), Michael Macgregor (Jordan Main, 86), John Ross (Sean McIntosh, 86)
Wick Academy - David Cowie (Shaun Sinclair, 69), Ross Allan (David Allan, 75), Alan Farquhar (Steven Cunningham, 86)

Lossiemouth - None
Wick Academy - None