Academy Still Looking To Convert Leads Into Wins

2nd April 2011

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Wick Academy....2.......Clachnacuddin....2
(half-time 2-1)
Report By Noel Donaldson

IT must be a frustrating trait for any soccer side. You go a goal up, maybe two, and, without getting complacent, you might start to think that the three points, if not in the (net) bag, are certainly beckoning..
That's the way it was, with Academy, trying to shake off their recent failure to capitalise on their lead. Twice they went ahead at Harmsworth Park, on Saturday...and twice saw their lead evaporate.

Goal-getter Richard Macadie opened for Academy in the 19th minute, after his side has soaked up pressure from a well-organised Lilywhites team who were quick on the break. Macadie drove the ball past the spread-eagled keeper, David Harrison. David Allan made it 2-0, in the 37th minute and some fans might have been forgiven for thinking that this might have signalled the sort of a runaway Clach has suffered recently - a leakage, or rather a spate, of no less than 10 goals conceded in two games.

But Clach, managed by Iain Polworth, who gave the Scorries something to think about during his player days, was a team intent on living their painful recent past, down and bouncing back. Leslie levelled in the 34th minute with a header and that's the way it stayed at the break.

The second half was nothing to write home about, but despite the stalemate, good enough for the visitors to sneak an opportunist, second goal by Leslie, in the 52nd minute after a miscued goal-kick by Bokas, for half the points.

The game was watched by some familiar faces, Campbell Ogilvie, vice-president of the SFA, no less, who came north on a courtesy visit, along with former Academy player, Iain Edmonstone. Four fans made an even longer journey, all the way from Essex, no less. Two of them, Mark Stephenson and Jason Penn, are founder members of the East Sussex branch of Wick Academy Supporter Club and were making their sixth visit to Harmsworth. That�s dedication for you!

Yesterday�s draw lifts Clach,into 14th place in the league table, one above Academy who have games in hand.

Away to Keith on April 9 and league champions Buckie, at home, a week later, are the next two fixtures in their remaining 12 games, so finishing the season in a respectable position is their top priority.