Match Report - By Steven Mew

Report by Steven Mew

City made the long trip south to face QotS yesterday afternoon but left empty handed after a devastating display of finishing from Stephen Dobbie put Darren Dods' men to the sword.

The Scottish Cup tie against Celtic at Parkhead last weekend gave City some much needed respite from the struggles of life in the Championship, but the return to league action unfortunately didn’t result in an upturn in fortunes.

After being cup tied last week, Callum Tapping returned to the fray to face his former club whilst there was a place in the start 11 for new signing Callumn Morrison who completed a loan deal from Hearts at the tail end of the week. One other change from last week was Isaac Layne coming in for Andy Jackson who had to settle for a place on the substitutes bench.

The home side came flying out the traps and almost went ahead within the first minute. Stephen Dobbie did well to beat two players down the left before whipping in a cross for Ross Fergusson at the near post but his effort went over the bar.

It wasn’t long until the Doonhamers got their noses in front as they opened the scoring with 7 minutes on the clock. Ross Fergusson played a clever ball inside for STEPHEN DOBBIE who teed himself up before curling a stunning effort beyond Smith from outside the box.

City looked to get back into the game and went on the attack almost immediately after the goal. Jordan Sinclair received a pass from Callumn Morrison on the edge of the box but he could only sidefoot high into the arms of Martin.

Things went from bad to worse for City as Queens doubled their advantage after just 13 minutes. A long ball from defence was flicked on by Fergusson into the path of STEPHEN DOBBIE. The ex Blackpool frontman twisted and tormented the City defence before getting his shot away inside the box – although his effort was straight at Smith, the ball squirmed under his body and over the line.

This was the third time in 5 matches that City were two goals down at such an early stage of the game, something that Darren Dods and his coaching staff will undoubtedly be looking to improve on. Similarly to last week, City did manage to come into the game and contain their opponents for the rest of the half.

Dobbie was at the heart of almost everything for the home side – his dinked cross to the back post was headed over the bar by Lyndon Dykes who will feel he should have done better. Five minutes later Dobbie latched on to a loose ball in the box following a corner, his shot looked to be going into the far corner but Aron Lynas was well positioned to clear off the line.

Shortly before the half hour mark, a neat exchange between Sinclair and Spark saw the latter strike for goal but it went wide of the target. Five minutes later City were unlucky not to pull a goal back when Sinclair crossed in for Finn Graham who connected perfectly on the volley however Martin made a superb reflex save to deny him. The ball was only cleared as far as Morrison on the edge of the box – he tried his luck from range but his effort was deflected over the bar. From the resulting corner from Morrison, skipper Paul McLean could only flick his header over the bar.

This was a good spell for Brechin who continued to put the home side under some pressure. Around five minutes before the break City won a free kick around 25 yards out which was struck straight at the keeper by Tapping. Just over a minute later, Morrison showed some trickery down the right side before whipping in a cross for Layne who could only head into the side netting.

There was slight let-off for City on the stroke of half time when a charged down clearance sent Dobbie through on goal however much to everyone's surprise he couldn’t hit the target as he dragged the ball wide of the goal.

Kalvin Orsi came on for Jordan Sinclair at half time and for the opening period of the second half, City enjoyed some good spells of possession but lacked a cutting edge going forward as the home side seemed content with their two goal advantage.

Just after the hour mark, new boy Morrison continued to impress for City when he cut in from the right flank and produced a save down low by Martin who parried away for a corner.

The home side started to come back into the game as they chased a third goal which would put the game beyond doubt. On 67 minutes, a header in the box fell kindly for Kyle Cameron in front goal but he dragged his volley across the face of the goal.

Dobbie thought he had his hat-trick after 68 minutes when he latched onto a through ball and flicked the ball past Smith and into the net. However, the goal was chalked off as the linesman had his flag up for offside.

STEPHEN DOBBIE was not to be denied the hat-trick he deserved five minutes later. The experienced striker ran on to another through ball, cut inside Paul McLean and showed great composure to delay his shot and stroke the ball past Smith who had already committed himself.

The small, hardy band of travelling supporters who made the long journey south did have something to cheer about five minutes from time as City netted a consolation goal. Morrison was the architect as he threaded a perfect ball through for KALVIN ORSI who had plenty of time to compose himself before slotting low beyond Martin for his 4th goal of the season.

Deep into stoppage time, the home side could have bagged a fourth goal when Dobbie set up substitute Connor Murray but he blazed his effort over from the edge of the box.

Next up for City is another trip to face fellow part timers Dumbarton at the YOUR Radio 103FM stadium next weekend. The Sons have slipped to 9th place following a defeat against Livingston but City still remain 16 points adrift of Stephen Aitken’s side, a gap that they will undoubtedly be looking to reduce with that elusive first win.

Other Results - Ladbrokes Championship

Dundee United 0 Morton 3

A superb win for the Ton at Tannadice.

Dunfermline Athletic 1 St Mirren 2

Big win for table topping Saints at East End.

Falkirk 3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1

Comfortable win for Falkirk against the Caley Jags.

Livingston 2 Dumbarton 0

Livi see off challenge of Sons.