Match Report - By Steven Mew

Stair Park has never been a happy hunting ground for City, but they came away with all 3 points in a fairly uneventful encounter played in treacherous conditions. Goals from Steven Hampshire and Darren Smith gave City a comfortable victory and with Stirling losing at home to Raith, the distance between ourselves and the Bino’s has been reduced to 5 points and if City can continue the excellent recent form, they could overtake Stirling in no time.
With driving wind and rain throughout the week, the game was never a certainty to go ahead but when the City fans arrived down at Stair Park, the conditions weren’t terribly bad. Granted it was fairly windy but the park was in good condition and we were hopeful of a decent game of football.
Stranraer came out on top in the meeting between the two sides in September when Paul McMullan scored a wonder goal to wrap up a 3-1 victory for the Blues. However, City gained revenge late in October as they recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory at Glebe Park.
John Ward returned to the side after missing the last few minutes due to injury while Stuart Ferguson had to settle for a place on the substitute’s bench.
Stranraer fielded one former City player in the shape of Scott Wilson, who had a brief stint at the club last season. Club captain Michael Moore was still suspended for this match after picking up a hefty ban after his sending off at Glebe Park in October.
Just as the teams came out onto the park, the heavens opened and the horrendous wind continued. City were to play against the driving wind in the first half and the aim was to go in at the interval with the scores level or better, and then City could attack the Blues in the second half with the wind behind them.
As was expected, City rarely ventured out of their own half because of the strong winds with any long passes just swirling in mid-air or not reaching the recipient. Stranraer attempted to take advantage but they couldn’t find the net despite creating some good opportunities.
The home side had much of the possession and almost all the chances but they couldn’t convert their superiority into goals. David Hamilton should have scored when he received the ball 6 yards from goal but he could only fire straight at Nelson.
On loan QoS man Michael Mullen was next to threaten with a long range effort from outside the area but his shot flew well over the crossbar. Five minutes before the break Kenny Wright really should have opened the scoring but his shot slammed into the side netting.
City nearly broke the deadlock against the run of play in first half stoppage time when a header was nodded off of the line and cleared to safety.
The referee blew for half time but the game all square and things were going just to plan for City. Now with the wind behind them, they could now mount some serious pressure in the second half.
However, the rain hadn’t stopped at all throughout the first half and there was now some standing water on the pitch. It was a day when all substitutes considered themselves lucky not be in the starting eleven!
Both sides came out for the second half but it was a worrying sight not to see the officials come out for a couple of minutes. In the end, Stranraer’s Will Snowdon had to run and get the officials out onto the field of play. The far side linesman took a further minute to come out, and quite frankly it was a complete shambles.
Eventually the second half got under way, the rain may have died down a bit but the wind was still fairly strong and City set out to attack.
Several minutes into the half Kevin Byers had a powerful effort palmed away by Black and from the resulting corner, the ball kindly for Steven Hampshire who deftly lobbed Black from 6 yards out, and the Stranraer defender on the line couldn’t prevent the ball from going over.
City made sure of the three points 18 minutes later when Darren Smith struck for goal from 35 yards and his shot took a wicked deflection which took the ball past Black in the Stranraer goal.
Even with more than 20 minutes to go, quite frankly there was no chance of Stranraer getting back in the game. City created very little openings when facing the wind and the home side were certainly no exception. It was far too difficult for them and now their job was just to keep the score line down as City continued to push men forward in search of more goals.
Referee Euan Norris blew for full time to signal a job well done for City as they continue to keep the pressure on Stirling Albion in 2nd place. City skipper Steven Ferguson put in a good shift in midfield in conditions that suited his battling abilities well.
Next up for City is the Scottish Cup 3rd round replay against Cowdenbeath at Glebe Park. The original tie finished 1-1 with Kevin Byers scoring a dramatic last gasp equaliser and City will have high hopes of progressing to the next round, where they would face either Dundee or Queen of the South away from home.
Then on Saturday City travel to Kirkaldy to take on Raith Rovers in the league.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Cowdenbeath 0 Peterhead 3

The Blue Toon produce a stunning victory at Central Park.

Forfar Athletic 1 Ayr United 1

A last gasp goal earns a point for Forfar.

Morton 2 Alloa Athletic 1

Morton extend their lead at the top of the table.

Stirling Albion 0 Raith Rovers 1

Stirling continue to slip up as they lose to Raith at Forthbank.