Match Report - By Steven Mew

City picked up their first league win at North Lodge Park and did so in convincing fashion against Formartine United yesterday afternoon as they kept the pressure on at the top of the table.

It was an impressive result at a venue that has proved to be far from a happy hunting ground for City since coming into the Highland League, with defeats in each of the last 3 seasons in Pitmedden.

Having just played on Wednesday against Strathspey, Ray McKinnon opted to freshen up the side again with 5 changes – Brad McKay, Mitch Taylor, Seth Patrick, Fraser Macleod and Cillian Sheridan all coming in to the starting 11.

It was mostly City in the opening stages, with Ewan Loudon firing a shot at Grant Corbett in the 6th minute and just before the quarter hour mark, Loudon played Mitch Taylor in but his strike flew over the bar.

On 19 minutes, Fraser Macleod fired a volley from the edge of the box which dipped just over the bar but five minutes later City were ahead. Ewan Loudon fired a cross to the back post where Mitch Taylor did supremely well to connect with a volley across goal for CILLIAN SHERIDAN who fired into the net from close range.

The wind was picking up at North Lodge Park and an in-swinging corner from Robert Ward for the home side crashed off the top of the crossbar.

Four minutes before the break, a corner from Liam Callaghan was met by Brad McKay but Corbett did well to push his effort away and shortly after, Ewan Loudon had an effort saved at the near post.

City were well on top at the break, but with just the one goal to show for it. It didn’t take long in the second period for the advantage to be doubled.

LEWIS MILNE had replaced Fraser MacLeod at the break and he wasted no time in making an impact as he glanced home a Liam Callaghan corner to give City some breathing space within a minute of the restart.

Milne and Patrick both had efforts blocked before a cross from Sheridan looked inch perfect for the on-rushing Loudon inside the box but he was unable to guide his header on target.

Seth Patrick fired a shot wide from the edge of the box before City added a third goal on 66 minutes, again from a set piece. An in-swinging corner from Lewis Milne found LEWIS MARTIN who glanced a header into the corner.

City kept looking for more with Ewan Loudon firing well over the bar whilst Cillian Sheridan tried his luck with a cheeky back-heel which Corbett was equal to.

Despite City’s domination, Formartine pulled a goal back against the run of play with quarter of an hour remaining. Some slack defending from substitute Kieran Sweeney gifted SCOTT ADAMS possession on the right hand side of the box and he curled a fine effort into the far corner to reduce the deficit.

However just two minutes later they deservedly restored in the 3-goal advantage through MITCH TAYLOR. The on-loan Forfar man dribbled his way through into the box and looked to be fouled by the goalkeeper, however he managed to haul himself back up to roll the loose ball into the net for his 5th goal in 3 games.

In the closing stages, Lewis Milne’s 20 yard free kick cannoned against the wall whilst his volley from the rebound was also blocked by the home defence.

Overall a thoroughly impressive result and performance for City however with Brora also recording a 2-0 win over Banks O’ Dee, City will still require a favour from elsewhere in the remaining two matches if they are to become Champions.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Brora Rangers 2 Banks O' Dee 0

Deveronvale 3 Keith 2

Forres Mechanics 1 Clachnacuddin 2

Fraserburgh 3 Strathspey Thistle 1

Huntly 0 Inverurie Locos 2

Lossiemouth 1 Buckie Thistle 3

Turriff United 3 Rothes 0

Wick Academy 4 Nairn County 2