Match Report - By Steven Mew

City twice fought back from going a goal behind against Buckie Thistle yesterday afternoon but had to settle for a second consecutive draw at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park.

It was a game in which the home side, in truth, never really got going and it would be hard to argue that a point apiece wasn’t a fair reflection of the game.

Manager Patrick Cregg made a number of changes from the 2-2 draw against Banks O’ Dee last weekend, with the most notable coming between the sticks as Isaac Carmody came in for Lenny Wilson. Liam Callaghan made his first start, whilst Kevin McHattie returned from illness with Seth Patrick also in from the off.

City threatened within the opening couple of minutes when a low ball to the edge of the area from Scott Bright found Marc Scott but his snapshot flew over.

The visitors came close midway through the half when the lively Lyall Keir showed some quick feet to get past several defenders on his way into the box but his driven ball across the face of goal had no takers.

Two minutes later the Jags took the lead through FIN ALLEN. The Elgin City loanee collected a pass from Aaron Nicolson and brought the ball inside on his left foot before curling a sumptuous effort into the far corner.

The home looked for a response with Brad McKay heading straight at Ridgers from Macleods floating cross before City were awarded a penalty on the half hour mark when Ridgers upended DAYLE ROBERTSON inside the box. Robertson dusted himself off and dispatched his penalty confidently into the corner to equalise.

City went on to enjoy a positive spell with some neat flicks from Lewis Milne and Dayle Robertson set up an opportunity for Fraser Macleod but Kevin Fraser did well to clear for a corner just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Six minutes before the break Lewis Milne teed up Dayle Robertson inside the box but the ball didn’t quite sit for him and his strike flew high and a few minutes later, Milne had a 25 yard free kick which was saved down low by Ridgers.

On the stroke of half time, it was Buckie that nearly took the lead going into the box when a cutback into the box found Joe McCabe but his low effort was well saved by the outstretched leg of Carmody in the City goal.

There was a scare for City 7 minutes into the second half when Sam Pugh crossed into the box for Fin Allen who saw his header crash back off the crossbar.

City were toiling and Cregg looked to inject some drive into the attack as Ewan Loudon replaced Seth Patrick on 55 minutes.

Two minutes later, Fraser Macleod was afforded space to drive forward from midfield before unleashing a strike that went straight at Ridgers. Ewan Loudon was next to threaten for the home side when he took a pass from Robertson in his stride and burst forward before unleashing a shot which Ridgers got down to.

Perhaps against the run of play at this stage, the visitors got themselves back in front. A mix-up at the back saw Kevin McHattie and Brad McKay collide and the Jags took full advantage with MacAskill feeding FIN ALLEN who again provided a curling strike into the corner.

City were back on level terms again less than ten minutes later. Scott Bright advanced down the wing before playing in Ewan Loudon down the left hand side of the box – the substitute fired a low ball across the face of goal for MARC SCOTT who bundled home from close range.

City went in search of a winner, with Fraser Macleod sweeping a half-volley just wide of goal from Lewis Milne’s cross and in stoppage time, a header from Brad McKay was cleared off the line.

Referee Abbie Hendry called time on a second consecutive 2-2 draw at home, but City have the chance to get back to winning ways in midweek as we host Keith on Wednesday night with an 8pm kick off.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 2 Forres Mechanics 3

Formartine United 3 Strathspey Thistle 2

Fraserburgh 1 Wick Academy 1

Inverurie Locos 6 Deveronvale 1

Turriff United 0 Brora Rangers 2