Close
Locos saw off a second half Wick Academy revival to secure three points and extend their unbeaten run to 7 games in all competitions. Nathan Meres and Mark Souter had put the Railwaymen in a commanding position at half time but Sean Campbell gave the visitors some hope before Blair Smith added a third in stoppage time.
Following the Aberdeenshire Cup semi-final victory in midweek, Dean Donaldson made three changes with Blessing Oluyemi, Calum Dingwall and Callum Duncan coming into the starting lineup. Locos made a positive start and Logan Johnstone had headed off target and Souter sliced wide before Meres opened the scoring. Released by Cole Anderson, Meres rounded visiting goalkeeper Graeme Williamson before rolling the ball into the net in the tenth minute.
Locos continued to impress as they looked for a second goal. Souter, perhaps looking to replicate his recent strike against Formartine United, took aim from distance but this time the keeper was able to gather comfortably. He didn’t have to wait long to get on the scoresheet though, meeting Paul Coutts corner with a powerful header at the near post to double the lead.
Myles Gaffney then shot wide before Scorries skipper Gordon Macnab registered their first effort on target in the final moments of the half, which Oluyemi grasped with ease.
At the start of the second half, a third Locos goal seemed inevitable. Williamson kept out Meres and Logan Johnstone’s low drive from the left hand side of the area went agonisingly wide of the far post.
Wick then began to see more of the ball. Macnab’s volley was well blocked by Milosz Ochmanski before they got themselves back into the game. Ross Gunn’s ball over the top picked out Campbell and he kept his composure to slot past Oluyemi.
The goal gave the visitors an extra spring in their step and Locos lost their way for a while as Academy threatened to level. Locos gradually regained control though and only a number of desperate blocks from Wick defenders prevented them restoring their two goal cushion. Their persistence was finally rewarded with an injury time goal. Williamson’s throw to Owen Rendell was cut out by a determined Smith who slid the ball past the scrambling keeper. It was a goal that epitomised the high energy approach that Donaldson has been trying to install in his team and typical of Smith’s performance from the bench.
This was a good win for Locos, against a Wick team who have picked up some notable results of late. They could have had the game sewn up by the time the Scorries got back into it but will be glad they were able see off the visitors to claim another victory. Next week Locos face a tricky away day as they travel to title-chasing – and Aberdeenshire Cup final opponents – Buckie Thistle.
