Match Report - By Steven Mew

City returned to winning ways but were made to work hard for it by a battling Rothes side yesterday afternoon.

The Speysiders , who had gone into the game with just 1 victory in their last 21 outings, shocked the visitors with a goal within the opening minute but Patrick Cregg’s side recovered to pick up all three points.

The City boss freshened things up slightly from midweek as Liam Callaghan and Cillian Sheridan came into the starting 11 at the expense of Scott Bright and Marc Scott. New signing Kieran Sweeney was included in the matchday squad as he started on the bench.

At a sunny but blustery Mackessack Park, the hosts came flying out the traps and took the lead after just 42 seconds. A ball forward evaded the City defence and THOMAS BRADY took full advantage as he slotted the ball beyond the advancing Lenny Wilson to put Rothes 1-0 up.

City looked for a quick response with top scorer Dayle Robertson coming close as he dragged a shot wide of the target and shortly after, Cillian Sheridan headed wide from Lewis Martin’s cross.

The visitors managed to restore parity on 13 minutes when Sean McArthur could only parry Ewan Loudon’s shot into the path of CILLIAN SHERIDAN who showed quick reactions to smash into the net from a couple of yards out.

On 22 minutes a long ball forward from Kevin McHattie found Ewan Loudon in behind the defence but he fired his shot into the side netting.

Just before the half hour mark, some tidy build-up play on the edge of the box allowed Dayle Robertson the opportunity but his cross-cum-shot flashed across the face of goal.

Ewan Loudon blazed a shot high and wide before City got their noses in front on 34 minutes. Lewis Milne played a pass to Dayle Robertson on the left hand side of the box and he provided a reverse ball for SPENCER MORELAND to fire in at the near post.

A low cross from Dayle Robertson was very nearly turned into his own net by Andrew Skinner and shortly after, Fraser Macleod found Brad McKay inside the box but he somehow blazed over from 8 yards.

City continued to search for a third before the break with Dayle Robertson’s shot being pushed out by McArthur but only as far as Cillian Sheridan who was denied by some last ditch defending.

In first half stoppage time, City broke forward with Ewan Loudon cutting inside from the left and flighting a cross into the box for Dayle Robertson who could only guide his header straight at the keeper.

The visitors continued the pressure early in the second half and came close just a minute in when a free kick from Lewis Milne found Dayle Robertson but the home keeper made a great reflex save to deny him from close range.

City didn’t have to wait much longer to double the advantage - an excellent cross by Lewis Martin out on the right was almost headed into his own net by Jamie Young who produced a fine save from the goalkeeper, but BRAD MCKAY was following up to knock home his 8th goal of the season.

Shortly after the hour mark, a counter attacking move from City saw Lewis Milne break forward and he played a neat reverse pass for Dayle Robertson who looked destined to score but he was denied by the feet of McCarthy.

Just a minute later, City should have been 4-1 up when Cillian Sheridan’s effort from close range looked to have crossed the line, but the linesman didn’t agree and the play continued.

The home side rarely threatened but skipper Ross Logan, who had netted against City at the Glebe earlier in the season, dispossessed Fraser Macleod in midfield before dragging a shot wide from the edge of the box.

With 72 minutes on the clock, Rothes were given a lifeline when referee Owen Lawrence pointed to the spot after the ball had come off Ewan Loudon’s hand inside the box, with the City attacker also seeing red. Andrew Skinner stepped up to take the spot kick but he was denied by Lenny Wilson who dived to his left to parry away.

The 10 men of City still looked fairly comfortable but the Speysiders made it a nervy ending as they reduced the deficit three minutes from time. Substitute Jake Thomson slid a pass in for debutant SHAUN MORRISON who smashed beyond Wilson.

In the dying seconds, substitute Marc Scott burst into the box but his shot flashed across the face of goal.

The one-goal margin perhaps wasn’t an accurate reflection of the game with City generally comfortable throughout however after three consecutive draws, the 3 points is all that matters.

We return to the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park next weekend as we host Clachnacuddin on Saturday with a 3pm kick off.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 3 Clachnacuddin 0

Brora Rangers 5 Deveronvale 0

Fraserburgh 5 Lossiemouth 0

Huntly 2 Formartine United 0

Inverurie Locos 1 Keith 0

Strathspey Thistle 1 Nairn County 1

Turriff United 1 Buckie Thistle 1

Wick Academy 3 Forres Mechanics 1