Match Report - By Steven Mew

City maintained their 100% record in the Highland League with a comfortable victory over Deveronvale in the Banff sunshine yesterday afternoon.

Despite going in at the break with a three goal advantage, it wasn’t all plain sailing for a City side who endured a few nervy moments after the hosts had pulled a goal back from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

City boss Andy Kirk made one change from the side that defeated Keith at Glebe Park last weekend. David Cox, who netted twice as a substitute in the closing stages of that match, unsurprisingly came into the starting 11 with Marc Scott dropping to the bench.

Backed by a sizeable travelling support, City couldn’t have got off to a better start when GARRY WOOD took advantage of some slack defending to net from close range after just 2 minutes.

On the quarter hour mark, the home side had an opportunity when Robert Scott’s effort from range was comfortably gathered by Wills.

Almost immediately up at the other end, City doubled their advantage. Max Kucheriavyi showed great vision to pick out GARRY WOOD with an inviting cross and the big striker sent a powerful header past McIntosh in the Vale goal.

City came agonisingly close to adding to their advantage just before the half hour mark, with the woodwork taking a real beating. McIntosh made a fine save to deny Kucheriavyi and the ball rebounded out to Wood who saw his effort headed off the line via the bar by a defender. The danger wasn’t over yet as the ball sat kindly for Currie also struck the bar with the goal at his mercy.

The third goal did arrive on 36 minutes when Kucheriavyi’s in-swinging corner was headed home by GREGOR JORDAN for his second goal of the season.

The visitors continued to push for another goal before the break with Wood shooting wide on his left foot whilst Cox did likewise on the stroke of half time.

Shortly after the hour mark, Jack Milne came on to replace Kieran Inglis who had sustained a nasty looking head injury.

City were struggling to get into any kind of rhythm and in fact, the first real opportunity of note in the second period arrived on 70 minutes when the home side were awarded a penalty after Gregor Jordan had fouled inside the box. DANE BALLARD, who netted in a win over Nairn County last weekend, made no mistake from the spot as he sent Jack Wills the wrong way.

The goal came as a bit of a wake up call for City with Marc Scott, who had replaced Rory Currie, heading wide and shortly after, he teed up Kucheriavyi who fired straight at McIntosh.

There was a real scare for City six minutes from time when Jamie Bain made a crucial intervention to deny an almost certain goal. The City full-back did just enough to hook away a low cross just as a home attacker looked set to convert from close range.

Manager Andy Kirk appeared far from happy with the slackness from his side, however City did settle back into it to dominate the closing stages.

Marc Scott did well to get to the by-line before firing a cross in for fellow sub Evan Galasso who attempted an intricate flick which went narrowly wide. Jack Milne then fired over from range after some good hold up play from Garry Wood.

Deep into added time, City completed the scoring with EVAN GALASSO firing high into the net from a few yards out for his first City goal.

Overall, another comfortable victory for City however Manager Andy Kirk will be frustrated at the way in which they took their foot off the gas for much of the second half.

Next up is a midweek home fixture as we take on Buckie Thistle in the SPFL Trust Trophy at Glebe Park on Wednesday evening, with an 8pm kick off.