Match Report - By Steven Mew

A stoppage time winner for Forres Mechanics dealt City their first league defeat of the season at Mosset Park yesterday afternoon.

Seth Patrick returned from suspension whilst Dayle Robertson was also back in the matchday squad after returning from holiday, albeit he had to settle for a place on the bench. Isaac Carmody was given the nod over Lenny Wilson in goal, whilst Daniel Johnston and Ruari Henry were also in from the start with Ewan Loudon missing through injury.

City started brightly and within the opening minute, Marc Scott glanced just wide from Ruari Henry’s cross whilst Spencer Moreland had a shot cleared off the line shortly after,

With 21 minutes on the clock, City opened the scoring in fortuitous fashion. Daniel Johnston showed some good pace down the left hand side of the box and his low ball into the danger area was cleared only as far as FRASER MACLEOD whose strike took a bobble over the keeper and into the net.

Midway through the half, the home side came close when Euan Spark made a great block to divert Kyle Macleod’s shot wide.

It didn’t take long for Forres to get themselves back on level terms. Calum Howarth’s free kick into the box was headed back across goal and CALUM FRAME was quickest to react as he smashed home at the back post.

Three minutes after the goal, Fraser Macleod dinked an excellent ball over the top for Marc Scott who outpaced his man but his strike was straight at Farquhar.

With half an hour on the clock, the home side took the lead. A long ball upfield from the goalkeeper wasn’t dealt with by the City defence and JORDAN ALONGE was on hand to fire a fine finish into the bottom corner.

Marc Scott flicked a header narrowly wide from Daniel Johnston’s cross before Manager Patrick Cregg made a change as top-scorer Dayle Robertson came on for Daniel Johnston.

A corner from Spencer Moreland was headed goalwards by Brad McKay with the ball appearing to come off a Forres arm in the box however the referee waved away any claims for a penalty.

It didn’t take long for DAYLE ROBERTSON to make an impact as he levelled things up again six minutes before the break. Some great one-touch passing around the penalty box ended with Marc Scott crossing low for Robertson to provide an intricate flick into the net.

As half time approached, City were handed a great opportunity as Fraser Macleod took advantage of a defensive slip up however his strike lacked conviction and was easily gathered down low by Farquhar.

Three minutes into the second half, Kevin McHattie nearly caught out the Forres defence with a quick free kick but Dayle Robertson’s touch was poor and the ball bobbled towards the keeper.

Fraser Macleod then had a volley inside the box which was blocked, again with appeals for handball whilst Calum Frame fired over on the counter attack for the hosts.

Shortly before the hour mark, Spencer Moreland’s corner caused plenty of problems inside the box with defenders throwing themselves in the way of shots from Ruari Henry and Dayle Robertson.

Robertson threatened again when he headed over from Moreland’s right sided cross and eight minutes from time, Marc Scott spurned a glorious opportunity as a blocked clearance put him through with just the keeper to beat, but he could only fire straight at Farquhar.

He would come close again five minutes later when his strike from a tight angle cannoned off the outside of the post.

Just as it looked like a share of the spoils was on the cards, Forres netted a minute into stoppage time to grab all three points. Substitute AIDAN CRUICKSHANK collected the ball 25 yards from goal and let fly with an outstanding strike which arrowed into the top corner, giving Carmody no chance.

An ultimately disappointing afternoon for City as they suffer their first league defeat of the season. They must now take their medicine and bounce back for the crucial Scottish Cup encounter against Huntly next weekend.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Deveronvale 4 Lossiemouth 0

Formartine United 1 Buckie Thistle 0

Fraserburgh 1 Inverurie Locos 0

Huntly 2 Nairn County 1

Rothes 0 Strathspey Thistle 6

Turriff United 0 Banks O' Dee 3

Wick Academy 0 Keith 1