Match Report - By Steven Mew

City progressed to the second round of the Scottish Cup as a stoppage time winner from Fraser Macleod saw off a stubborn Newtongrange Star side yesterday afternoon.

It was a game in City had to be patient as the East of Scotland side set up to frustrate with a lot of bodies behind the ball and to their credit, it was a tactic that very nearly forced the game to extra time.

Lenny Wilson returned in goal for City and Ruari Henry made his first start for the Club, with Anthony McDonald also coming into the side at Patrick Cregg made three changes from last week. There was also the welcome sight of Ryan Ferguson on the substitutes bench having missed the last 7 weeks with a hamstring injury.

On 4 minutes City were the first to threaten when Anthony McDonald’s volley on the edge of the box was charged down by a defender and five minutes later, McDonald curled a 20 yard free kick over the bar after McHattie had been fouled.

Lewis Martin headed wide from McDonald’s corner before Ewan Loudon nodded over from Marc Scott’s delivery midway through the half.

City were being limited to half-chances, with Brad McKay looping a header over the bar from Fraser MacLeod’s lob into the box whilst Seth Patrick tested the keeper with a low 20-yard strike.

On 33 minutes another Macleod delivery into the box found McDonald who struck his volley into the ground which bounced over and ten minutes later, Lewis Martin tried his luck from range but his strike arrowed just past the upright.

On the stroke of half time, there were appeals for a penalty when MacLeod went down under a challenge inside the box but referee Scott McGregor waved play on.

Into first half stoppage time, Marc Scott was fouled 25 yards out and resulting free kick from McDonald was pushed away by Shea Dowie in the visitors’ goal.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Loudon’s blocked shot fell kindly for Seth Patrick on the edge of the box and his placed effort struck the top of the crossbar.

Dayle Robertson replaced Anthony McDonald on 53 minutes and City’s top scorer very nearly made an immediate impact when he dragged a left-footed shot wide after some good work from Marc Scott.

Just before the hour mark, the crossbar was left shaking again. Macleod threaded a clever ball through for Loudon who lashed his strike off the woodwork.

The two players combined again just a minute later when Macleod charged down an attempted clearance and cut the ball back for Loudon whose strike was blocked for a corner.

The home side kept plugging away with McKay heading wide from Macleod’s corner, before Moreland had a shot tipped round the post by Dowie.

Midway through the half, Marc Scott came in on his left foot and let fly with a strike that arrowed high and wide before another shot from Moreland was gathered down low by the goalkeeper.

With six minutes remaining Dowie was called into action again when Scott’s strike stung the hands of the goalkeeper and shortly after, Macleod sliced wide after being set up by Loudon.

Just as extra time was looming, Newtongrange’s stubborn resistance was finally broken in the second minute of stoppage time. Some neat play inside the box saw Loudon flick into the path of FRASER MACLEOD who guided his strike into the bottom corner of the net.

City saw out the remaining 7 minutes of stoppage time to ensure they are in the hat for the 2nd round draw which takes place at 5pm at Hampden this afternoon.

Once again it was a scoreline that doesn’t quite show a fair reflection of how the game went with City in complete control throughout, and home custodian Lenny Wilson a mere spectator for the most-part with game played almost entirely in the visitors’ half.