Gary Manson Testimonial

The 3rd and main event of the year was the testimonial match vs Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC. Again the weather was not very kind to us however a good crowd turned up to show their appreciations for Gary's efforts and also to see a very strong Caley outfit with a number of first team stars turning out.

The match was to finish 4-1 to ICT however Wick Academy can be proud of their efforts having controlled long spells of the 2nd half. David Allan was their scorer on the night.

Former Academy striker Shane Sutherland had the honour of leading out the Caley Thistle team against his ex team-mates. Maurice Malpas and Duncan Shearer had strengthened the Caley youth squad with a sprinkling of players with first team experience as well as some recent signings including French left back Kenny Gillet who played 100 games in the English Football League for Barnet.

The visitors had the edge in the first half with Gillet getting forward to run at the Academy defence as well as taking corners on the right. Callum Dingwall gave the visitors the lead around the half hour mark and Andrew Shinnie added a second after 42 minutes.

Half Time 0 - 2

Academy brought on the Steven brothers and Bryan McKiddie at the break but Caley stretched their lead when Sutherland netted a third after 53 minutes.

Davie Allan pulled one back for Wick midway throught the second half by which time Gary's guest players, Nigel MacKenzie, Michael Gray, Andrew MacLeod and his brother Derek were coming on to enjoy the occasion.

Academy pushed forward for a spell and Gary went close with a couple of free kicks but Inverness completed the scoring when Shinnie fired in a spot kick late on.

Full Time 1 - 4

Wick Academy F.C.	1 (David Allan 63)
Team: Allan Bokas(Michael Gray 69), Stevie Cunningham(Michael Steven 45), Gary Manson, Alan Farquhar(G Steven 45), Stewart Ross(Andrew MacLeod 69), Craig Shearer(Bryan McKiddie 45), Martin Gunn(Derek Manson 64), Sam Mackay(N MacKenzie 60), Gary Weir(Ross Allan 45), Richard Macadie, Davie Allan. Subs: Michael Steven, Bryan McKiddie, Grant Steven, Ross Allan, Derek Manson, Andrew MacLeod, Nigel MacKenzie, Michael Gray.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.	4 (Callum Dingwall 32, Andrew Shinnie 43, 88, Shane Sutherland 54)
Team: Jonny Tuffey(Scott Mathieson 77), Marc Noble(Andrew Skinner 77), Kenny Gillet(Tom Smith 64), Matt Murphy, John Stuart, Ryan Christie(Watson 60), Andrew Shinnie, Shane Sutherland, William Mackay(Andrew Greig 72), Callum Dingwall(Kyle Whyte 45), Martin Laing. Subs: Andrew Skinner, Tom Smith, Andrew Greig, Kyle Whyte, Watson, Scott Mathieson.

Some photos are below.......