Match Report - By Steven Mew

An excellent second half showing saw City recover from a slow start against Strathspey Thistle yesterday evening.

The hosts were ahead after 2 minutes and although City equalised shortly before the break, it had been a sub par first half showing from Ray McKinnon’s men.

However they came out with all guns blazing in the second half with some excellent football to record a comfortable win in the end.

McKinnon called the changes from Saturday with skipper Euan Spark, Marc Scott, Spencer Moreland and Liam Callaghan all coming into the starting 11.

With around 90 seconds on the clock, the home side were awarded a penalty when Lewis Mackie went down under the challenge of Kieran Sweeney. Liam Shewan stepped up to take for the Jags and he confidently fired high into the net.

The hosts looked to take advantage of a shell-shocked City side and two minutes later a header from Jordan Laidlaw was held by Lenny Wilson.

It took until the 18th minute for City to create their first real opportunity with Lewis Milne having two shots blocked inside the box and the same player would threaten again a minute later when he got on the end of a low cross from Scott Bright but keeper Euan Storrier made a fine save to deny him.

On 24 minutes, Kieran Sweeney had a volley deflected wide for a corner and shortly after, there were claims for a City penalty when a strike inside the box appeared to come off an arm before Lewis Martin dragged a shot just wide.

There was a blow for City on 26 minutes minutes when Dayle Robertson picked up an injury and was unable to continue – he was replaced by Cillian Sheridan.

Six minutes before the break, a long clearance from Lenny Wilson sent Ewan Loudon a clear run on goal but he was denied by the on-rushing Storrier in the Jags goal.

City finally got the equaliser a minute later when Storrier parried a Lewis Milne volley into the path of CILLIAN SHERIDAN who had the simple task of tapping into the net from a few yards out.

Deep into first half stoppage time, City nearly went ahead when a powerful strike from Ewan Loudon very nearly squirmed under the body of the keeper who managed to smother at the second attempt.

Ray McKinnon looked to switch things up at the break as Mitch Taylor and Fraser Macleod entered the fray, with Spencer Moreland and Marc Scott making way.

City certainly looked a lot hungrier and they were ahead 7 minutes after the restart. MITCH TAYLOR won a free kick 20 yards from goal and the on-loan Forfar man fired a splendid free kick in off the post as City supporters breathed a sigh of relief.

Cillian Sheridan came close as his header from a Lewis Milne cross was saved by the feet of Storrier.

The visitors continued to create a number of openings with Lewis Milne heading a Fraser Macleod free kick straight at the keeper, whilst Macleod himself threatened with a strike that was well blocked inside the box.

Ewan Loudon was causing plenty of problems with his direct running and he managed to weave his way into the box before dragging a shot wide of goal.

With quarter of an hour remaining, City put clear daylight between the sides with a third goal. An inviting cross from Scott Bright down the left was met with a cushioned header from CILLIAN SHERIDAN into the corner.

Barely a minute later City added to their advantage when Ewan Loudon played a neat flick into the path of MITCH TAYLOR who advanced into the box before dispatching his shot high beyond Storrier.

Now playing with plenty of confidence, City looked for more with Cillian Sheridan and Ewan Loudon both coming close in the closing stages.

Ultimately it was job done for City and despite the disappointing start, they will look to take their second half showing into a difficult fixture away at Formartine on Saturday.

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