Lossiemouth suffered their first league defeat of the season at Harmsworth Park, losing 3-2 to Wick Academy. Lossie took advantage of a poor Wick performance to go into the interval two goals ahead, both scored by Jamie Bagley, but the hosts were a different side in the second half and scored three without reply to secure the points.

Despite rumours in the local press suggesting otherwise, Shawn Scott was fit to start and was partnered up front by Stuart Strathdee. Wick began the game with Gary Weir and Alec Lamb on the bench as they looked ahead to their North Cup final appearance.

Wick got off to a sluggish start and found themselves a goal behind inside five minutes. Tony Ross and Stuart Strathdee combined down the wing and the latter to square the ball infield to Jamie BAGLEY, who rolled the ball underneath the keeper, along the line and in at the back post from a tight angle.

It took Wick until 17 minutes to register any kind of effort on goal, but David Allans weak effort failed to trouble the idle McConnachie. Wick were playing like a team who had a cup final on their minds, and Lossie were dominating.

Lossie doubled their advantage ten minutes before the interval. Shawn Scott, playing further back than normal, held the ball up before playing in Jamie BAGLEY, who floated through the defence and finishing coolly under the keeper.

Half time - Wick Academy 0 Lossiemouth 2

Wick made the necessary changes at half time and threw on Gary Weir, a regular thorn in the side of Lossie. The hosts, playing downhill with the wind at their backs, looked a completely different side as they chased the game and kept Lossie camped deep in their own half.

Lossie successfully defended a series of corners but the constant pressure meant a goal was on the cards. With an hour gone Wick were back in the game when David ALLAN headed home a cross from Sam Mackay.

What was left of Lossies lead lasted only two minutes more. Substitute Gary WEIR was played into the area by Gunn and fired the ball past the outstretched arm of McConnachie while the Lossie defence appealed in vain for offside.

Lossie had chances to restore their lead. Strathdee saw a goal bound effort beaten away by More, before a cross from out side sailed low across the penalty area missing the foot of Tony Ross by inches. dominating.

Wick went ahead for the first time in the game with ten minutes left. David Allan was involved once again, setting up Richard MACADIE for the winner.

Lossie could have snatched a point late on. Tony Ross again found himself unlucky not to deflect the ball home from close range after a goalmouth scramble, and Nikki Smith saw a last gasp shot blocked by a desperate home defence who went on to hold out for the three points.

Full time - Wick Academy 3 Lossiemouth 2

Teams

Lossiemouth - Darren McConnachie: JJ Urquhart, Sam Milton, Steven Sim, Tony Ross, Garry Macdonald, Jamie Bagley, Kevin Flett, Martin McMullan, Shawn Scott, Stuart Strathdee
Wick Academy - James More: Shaun Sinclain, Gary Manson, Alan Farquhar, Andrew Macleod, Craig Shearer, Martin Gunn, Sam Mackay, David Allan, Richard Macadie, David Cowie

Lossiemouth - Nikki Smith (Shawn Scott, 64), Ross Duncan (Jamie Bagley, 65), Colin Charlesworth (JJ Urquhart, 76)
Wick Academy - Gary Weir (Andrew Macleod, 46), Alec Lamb (David Cowie, 46), Shane Sutherland (David Allan, 85)

Lossiemouth - Dan Smith, Liam Archibald
Wick Academy - Bryan McKiddie, Michael Steven

Lossiemouth - Jamie Bagley (5, 34)
Wick Academy - David Allan (63), Gary Weir (66), Richard Macadie (80)

Lossiemouth - None
Wick Academy - None

Referee

Disagree?