Storm Kathleen became the latest weather event to disrupt games across Scotland this week, but North Lodge Park was given the go ahead to host a rescheduled fixture against northerly side Wick Academy, who made the 5-hour journey to Pitmedden. A first of 3 consecutive home games for Formartine , who look to keep the pressure on Banks o’ Dee in 4th position with a win. Wick have the most catchup to do this Highland League season, with 5 still to play after this fixture. They look to sneak into the top 10 with their games in hand.

Formartine striker Julian Wade will be aiming to finish the season as one of the top goal scorers, currently sitting on 24 goals in all competitions, after netting a brace away to Nairn last week. His second in Nairn was also his 50th for the club, in a remarkable 80 games for the Red and White Stripes. He would unfortunately be unable to add to his tally tonight, dropping to the bench with an ankle injury, replaced by Aaron Norris. An otherwise unchanged team would face a slightly depleted Wick, who named 5 substitutes. Owen Lawrence would take charge of the fixture, and Formartine kicked off.

It would take just 2 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, when Wick keeper Graeme Williamson botched a clearance off his own defender and into the path of Formartine midfielder Marc Lawrence, who calmly slotted the ball home with an impressive 25-yard strike. The early goal was preceded by an energetic period of play, with both sides having sniffs at goal. Formartine forward Aaron Reid had a flurry of chances, but was unable to double the home side’s lead. Wick piled on the pressure in the 28th minute, and were able to find an equaliser when a Kyle Henderson cross from the right was headed home at close range by Gary Pullen. The game then balanced out towards half time, both sides having but squandering good chances to take the lead. A nasty collision between the Wick keeper and Formartine winger Aiden Combe, paused proceedings for a few minutes, and half time was soon called.

The interval saw the rain return, and Formartine soon began the substitutions to keep intensity high. Aaron Reid, Aiden Combe and Lewis Duncan made way for Graeme Rodger, Adam Emsile and Scott Lisle in the 55th minute. Wick came close to a spectacular lead when a Kyle Henderson curling effort needed tipping over from keeper Cameron Middleton. Moments later Formartine striker Paul Campbell was up the other end of the park and clattered the ball against the woodwork with a close range headed attempt. With 20 minutes to go, Formartine maximised their usage of the bench with their final two subs, with Stuart Smith and Aaron Norris replaced by Kevin Hanratty and Brody Alberts. A cynical challenge from Wick midfielder Gordon MacNab drew the first yellow of the game, and gave Formartine a chance to get the ball in the box.

The game took a momentarily bizarre turn, when Formartine manager Stuart Anderson exchanged expletives with the nearside linesman, who radioed the referee to caution him. The referee then went to book oblivious Wick manager Gary Manson, diverting his card towards the home bench just in time. Wick made a quick change, replacing Gordon MacNab with Marc Coghill. In the 82nd minute, an error in the Wick midfield allowed a near perfect through ball to be played to Paul Campbell, who let the ball roll to his right foot before smashing home. Just minutes later, Formartine put the game beyond Wick when substitute Kevin Hanratty slotted the ball into the far left corner. Formartine looked set to add another before the final whistle, but the ball bobbled just out of the control of Brody Alberts. Formartine were able to comfortably oversee their 3-1 lead until full time.

The result closed the gap for Formartine to Banks o’ Dee to just 3 points, with a game in hand. A consecutive 4th place finish is firmly on the cards at North Lodge Park, in an incredibly tight Highland League season. Wick stay 13th in the league, and will look to rebound against Keith at home on Saturday. Rothes will make the journey to Pitmedden this weekend, as Formartine look to jump their Aberdeen based rivals.

Match Facts

Goals:

Formartine	Wick
2′ Lawrence	28′ Pullen
82′ Campbell
85′ Hanratty

Bookings:

Formartine	Wick
75′ Anderson (Manager)	73′ MacNab
	88′ Williamson

Substitutions:

Formartine	Wick
53′ Reid & Combe ↓ Rodger & Emsile ↑	78′ MacNab ↓ Coghill ↑
55′ Duncan ↓ Lisle ↑	87′ McGregor ↓ Ewing ↑
71′ Norris & Smith ↓ Hanratty & Alberts ↑