Rangers Cup hopes vanish
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North of Scotland Cup semi-final
Wick Academy............... 3
Brora Rangers.............. 0
BRORA Rangers failed to reach the North of Scotland Cup after they were comprehensively beaten by Wick Academy at Harmsworth Park on Wednesday night.
The visitors were stunned by two goals in as many minutes mid-way through the first half and failed to recover from that set-back as Wick went on to create the best chances.
Richie Hart had the first shot on goal in the third minute but his low drive failed to trouble Wick goalkeeper Michael Gray.
At the other end former Brora player Sam MacKay picked out Michael Steven on the left hand side of the 18-yard box but his snap shot was turned behind for a corner at his near post by Ali Ridgers in the Brora goal.
The home side were quick to settle and a speculative lob from Richard MacAdie had Ridgers scrambling to touch the ball over the crossbar.
Wick started to turn the screw and they came close to an opener in the 14th minute when Lukasz Geruzel headed over.
The big Polish striker came close again a couple of minutes later but his effort drifted wide of Ridgers’ right hand post.
However, the pressure paid off for the home side in the 22nd minute when Craig Shearer rose above the Brora defence to head home a MacKay free kick.
It got worse for Brora a couple of minutes later when Wick struck again when McAdie let fly with a thunderous angled drive which flew into the far corner of the net.
Brora almost got a foothold in the tie when Hart won the ball in midfield and his measured pass set Liam Baxter up with a chance but his curling shot was pushed behind by Gray.
Brora were forced to made a change just before the break when Grant Innes injured himself in a tackle and was replaced by Alex MacLeod.
The visitors made a bright start to the second half but they were caught on the break in the 49th minute when MacKay squared the ball for James Pickles who scored his first goal for Wick from just outside the box.
The goal stung Brora into action and Baxter should have done better a minute later when he screwed his shot wide after Gary Kerr knocked a Hart cross into his path.
Brora were almost in again 16 minutes from the end when Andrew Greig went on a mazy run but Gray was quick off his line to grab the ball at the feet of Kerr.
The visitors kept plugging away but Baxter fluffed his lines again by shooting wide after being put through on goal by Hart.
Brora had a let off in the last minute when MacAdie fired on off the inside of the right post.
STUART Golabek refused to get too downcast after the defeat.
Brora’s assistant manager told The Northern Times: "I thought we were a bit unfortunate. Cup semi-finals can go either way - it just wasn’t our night. Up until the final third we played well but we just didn’t have the penetration required."
He added: "We are in the process of building a side but it’s not going to happen overnight. There will be ups and downs along the way. I know Kirky (David Kirkwood) will be looking to take a few players in. It will be a slow process."
Golabek confirmed Brora’s new manager was not at the match. He said: "He felt it was better to stay away with all the tension surrounding the match. He will be back in the dugout on Saturday."
Brora – Ridgers, Innes (MacLeod 34), MacLean, Hind, Golabek, Baxter, Gillespie, Hart, Kerr; S MacKay, Greig. Subs – Lamb, Ross, Moir, J Allan.
LAST Saturday, Brora were beaten 3-0 by on-form Fraserburgh at Dudgeon Park.
First half goals from Scott Barbour and Graham Johnston gave the Broch a two-goal cushion at the break.
Brora came more into the match after the break but they failed to make the breakthrough and Richie Hart even missed from the penalty spot to make matters worse.
Barbour added his own second and his side’s third in the final minute.
Craig Campbell will be free from suspension for tomorrow’s match against Nairn County at Station Park, while Martin MacLeod also returns.
Brora Rangers – Ridgers, MacLean, Golabek, Hind, Lamb, MacLean, Gillespie, Hart, Kerr (Baxter 60), S MacKay, Greig. Subs not used – Innes, MacLeod, Ross, Taylor.
