Match Report - By Steven Mew

A first professional hat-trick from Kieran Inglis helped City to a convincing win over Formartine United at Glebe Park yesterday evening.

Despite an early scare, Andy Kirk’s men fought back to earn a hugely important three points which saw City rise up to third in the league table.

Manager Andy Kirk rang the changes from Saturday’s defeat at Fraserburgh, with two trialists coming into the side along with Jack Milne and new loan signing Aidan Quinn.

With just two minutes on the clock, Kucheriavyi did well to dispossess goalkeeper Balint Demus at the byline but he could only find the side netting with his effort.

The visitors were gifted the opening goal after 6 minutes when COLE ANDERSON took full advantage of a short passback to slot beyond Wills in the City goal.

This sparked City to life and almost immediately after the restart Paton’s cross-cum-shot was parried out by the goalkeeper with no takers. A minute later a delightful lofted pass from Kucheriavyi found Wade in behind the defence but his volley flew harmlessly over.

City got the equaliser that their play deserved after 11 minutes when Demus failed to clear his lines outside his box and KIERAN INGLIS fired into the empty net from 35 yards out.

Julian Wade was causing plenty of problems for the visitors defence and he collected a pass from Kucheriavyi before forcing a save from Demus at his near post.

Kucheriavyi was central to almost everything for City and he would come close himself on 20 minutes when he advanced forward before unleashing a strike from range which was deflected over.

Wade then flicked an effort just wide of the post and shortly after he came close again when a trialist won the ball inside the area and played the ball across for the Dominican who was denied by the keeper.

City continued to pile on the pressure and four minutes before the break, skipper Iain Davidson headed straight at the keeper from Paton’s in-swinging cross.

Into the second period, City struggled to continue the momentum from the first half as they initially failed to put the visitors’ defence under any real pressure.

On 53 minutes, Formartine won a free kick which was curled over by Mykyta and at the other end, Wade did well to win possession before teeing up a trialist who delayed and saw his shot blocked.

It looked as if it might be one of those days for City but they turned on the style as the game approached the final quarter of an hour.

On 73 minutes Kucheriavyi showed great footwork to draw a foul inside the box and referee Chris Fordyce had little hesitation in pointing to the spot. KIERAN INGLIS stepped up to put City back in front, firing his penalty in via the inside of the post.

Just a few minutes later City were awarded another penalty when a trialist went down under the challenge of Demus. KIERAN INGLIS would pick the same spot again as he confidently stroked into the corner for his hat-trick.

The home side were now brimming with confidence and Jack Milne fired wide of the edge of the box after some terrific work from Kucheriavyi.

With five minutes remaining City rounded off the scoring when substitute MARC SCOTT latched on to a pass over the top of the defence and with keeper Demus in no-mans land, he lofted the ball into the corner from a difficult angle.

In the closing stages Kucheriavyi came off to a rapturous applause from the home support as he was replaced by Garry Wood, with the Ukranian youngster covering every single blade of grass.

Overall, an impressive win for City who now go into Saturday’s fixture against Fort William at Glebe Park with a renewed sense of confidence.