Inverurie Locos defeat Wick Academy as club legends play final home game
Inverurie Locos completed their home league campaign with a 4-0 win over Wick Academy and honoured two club legends who were playing the final match at Harlaw Park.
Neil McLean and Ryan Broadhurst both announced their retirements recently and a presentation was made to them by manager Richard Hastings before the start of the game.
Robert Ward opened the scoring early for Locos but they struggled to get another goal during the first half.
After the break they were much better and Calum Dingwall, Kieran Shanks and Jay Halliday all netted to secure the victory.
The hosts made the perfect start when Jamie Michie played the ball to Ward and he ran into the box and shot past Wick goalkeeper Graeme Williamson.
Locos had an opportunity shortly after when McLean tried an effort from distance but it went over the crossbar.
Another chance presented itself to the home side when a loose Wick ball was played to Shanks and his shot did not find the net. A cross was then swung into him which he headed towards goal and was saved by Williamson.
Wick were struggling to create any opportunities and Locos were pushing to get a second goal with Ward getting a good shot away which was blocked.
Halliday was next to have an opportunity for the hosts, however, his effort was weak and dealt with by Williamson.
There was a long stoppage in play after Wick's David Allan was injured, with him receiving treatment on the pitch and he was then stretchered off.
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9 / 9After half-time Locos continued where they left off with a ball sent into the box and Ward leaped up and headed it which went over the goal.
Wick managed to mount an attack when Steven Anderson was through on goal and he fired a shot which was saved by Inverurie goalkeeper Andy Reid.
Michie then had a great opportunity for the home side when a ball was cutback to him but he sent his effort over the bar.
Locos got their second goal when a corner was sent in and it dropped to Dingwall who turned and struck his shot into the net.
They increased their lead shortly after when Shanks latched on to a short back pass and knocked it into the goal before colliding with the Wick keeper, with both down for a time but the goal stood.
Wick had a chance when a ball was crossed into the Locos box and was headed by Anderson, however, it was straight at Reid.
McLean was then subbed off and received a great applause from the crowd at Harlaw Park as he left the pitch for the last time.
The home side got their fourth goal when the ball was played to Halliday and he ran in and slotted it past Williamson.
Broadhurst was then subbed off as the game came to a close and he also received a loud ovation from the crowd.
At the end of the match he and McLean were applauded off the pitch by players, officials, representatives and fans from both teams.
Locos manager Hastings said of the match: "I'm delighted with the win and that we managed to keep another clean sheet.
"We knew that they would be a tough team, so we had to be at it. We got the early goal but we maybe didn't capitalise quickly enough on it.
"We were forcing a few things and might have been needing a pass more than the players were trying and sorting out our shape.
"We spoke to them at half-time about what we needed to do and they followed the game plan in the second half and got the rewards for it.
"I was more pleased with what we were doing then and the goals were good.
"It was two ends of the spectrum we had two guys coming to the end of their careers and then there's the last two goalscorers who are young players.
"We are seeing the next group coming through and we have some really exciting young talent at the football club.
"Also having worked with Neil McLean and Ryan Broadhurst they are great guys.
"You don't just stay in the game and a club for that long just by being a good player, you're a decent person as well. It was just great to get them a good send off.
"Overall we were much more like ourselves and what we were doing earlier in the season. We want to finish the season strong and I'm glad we could do it for the fans in the last home game."