Match Report - By Steven Mew

Dayle Robertson bagged his third hat-trick of the season to help City to a thumping win over Huntly at Christie Park yesterday afternoon.

The result ensured City would end 2024 top of the pile, with Brora Rangers also continuing their fine form to stay hot on the heels of Patrick Cregg’s side.

The City Manager made 3 changes to the side that drew with Fraserburgh last weekend, with Scott Bright, Cillian Sheridan and Lewis Milne coming in to the starting lineup whilst Brad McKay missed out through illness.

The home side were first to threaten with a dipping volley from range on 8 minutes, but it was City who got their noses in front just a few minutes later. Ewan Loudon fired a cross into the box which found DAYLE ROBERTSON who guided his volley in via the underside of the crossbar.

The advantage was doubled just two minutes later – Fraser Macleod flighted a delightful ball over the top for EWAN LOUDON who smashed a powerful left-footed strike beyond Calum Brodie.

Midway through the half, Angus Grant had a 20 yard free kick blocked by the defensive wall for a corner and on 33 minutes, the hosts reduced the deficit when a free kick whipped in from the right hand side found ANGUS GRANT who powered a header beyond Wilson.

Eight minutes before the break, Spencer Moreland threaded a neat pass through for Dayle Robertson who skipped past the challenge of a defender but Calum Brodie was out quickly to deny him.

Patrick Cregg made a change for City at the break as skipper Euan Spark made way for Seth Patrick and the visitors restored the two-goal advantage within a couple minutes of the restart. Lewis Milne made a good run down the right hand side of the box before pulling the ball back for FRASER MACLEOD who steered his shot into the far corner.

Ryan Sewell fired a shot straight at Wilson in the City goal whilst at the other end, the home keeper made fine saves with his feet to deny Lewis Milne and Spencer Moreland.

Angus Grant then came close for the hosts when he clipped a shot over the advancing Wilson, however the ball flashed just wide of the far post.

Grant was certainly showing why he is the Highland League’s top goalscorer as he continued to cause problems for the City defence. Wilson did well to deny him at the near post on 56 minutes before Grant smashed a free kick against the post on the hour mark.

With 63 minutes on the clock, City extended their advantage. A corner from Lewis Milne was met with a fantastic header from Seth Patrick which produced a great save from Brodie, however the ball dropped kindly for DAYLE ROBERTSON to nod home from close range.

Robertson came close to his hat-trick when he flicked wide from a Fraser Macleod cross and shortly after, an excellent cross-field pass from Kevin McHattie found substitute Marc Scott who showed great control to bring the ball down before firing narrowly wide of the far post.

Huntly were still extremely dangerous on the counter with Angus Grant continuing to be a thorn in City’s side as he broke clear but with just Wilson to beat, he fired inches wide of the post.

Twelve minutes from time, the hosts had the opportunity to pull a goal back when they were awarded a penalty when Scott Bright was penalised for a tug on Angus Grant. Grant dusted himself off to take the penalty himself, however his spot kick was superbly kept out by Wilson who dived low to his left.

Almost immediately at the other end, City put the icing on the cake with a 5th goal. Ewan Loudon played a low cross into the box for DAYLE ROBERTSON to bag his hat-trick with a near flick into the corner.

Overall it was an impressive result for City, inflicting Huntly’s heaviest defeat of the season to date. We have a break this coming weekend, with our next fixture in a fortnights time as we travel to face Deveronvale.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Brora Rangers 5 Lossiemouth 0

Fraserburgh 3 Clachnacuddin 2

Inverurie Locos 0 Banks O' Dee 0

Rothes 1 Nairn County 4

Turriff United 1 Keith 0

Wick Academy 0 Buckie Thistle 3