Match Report - By Steven Mew

City continued their recent fine form with a comfortable victory over Forres Mechanics at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

The result saw City rise up to 3rd in the league table, with two games in hand over the sides immediately above them.

With Hamish Thomson out suspended, new loan signing Sam Denham came straight into the starting lineup whilst there was the return of Jack Wills, Max Kucheriavyi and Cammie Ross who were all ineligible for last weeks Scottish Cup tie against Vale of Leithen.

City came close to opening the scoring within the opening minute when Marc Scott created some space for himself before his shot was blocked.

Shortly after the quarter hour mark, recent signing Cammie Ross missed a guilt edged chance when Julian Wade teed him up inside the box and with the goal at his mercy, he screwed wide.

With 22 minutes on the clock City grabbed the opener and it was a goal worthy of gracing any game. MAX KUCHERIAVYI, who scored a direct free kick against Rothes last month repeated the feat with a sumptuous 25 yarder over the wall and into the corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

The home side continued to threaten with keeper Stuart Knight doing well to deny Julian Wade who broke through on goal, before Cammie Ross headed wide from an inviting cross.

Ross continued to cause problems for the Forres rearguard as he broke clean through on goal but Knight did well to rush out and smother the ball at the edge of his box. Three minutes later City won possession in midfield before Cammie Ross dragged a shot wide.

Against the run of play, the visitors grabbed an equaliser on 32 minutes when skipper STUART SOANE rose highest to nod a corner beyond Wills at the back post.

It came as a real sucker punch for City who struggled to regroup following the goal. It took until the stroke of half time for the next real chance as Michael Paton fired a 20 yard volley narrowly wide of the post.

Early in the second period, Marc Scott had a shot deflected for a corner after cutting inside from the wing whilst Iain Davidson curled a shot wide from the edge of the box.

Sam Denham then headed over from Paton’s free kick before City got themselves back in front on 54 minutes. Marc Scott’s strike deflected kindly into the path of JULIAN WADE who showed great instinct to head beyond the keeper.

With the impressive Kucheriavyi pulling the strings in midfield, City continued to dominate proceedings. Iain Davidson had a header cleared off the line from Kucheriavyi’s corner and on the hour mark, Cammie Ross must have been left wondering what he had to do to open his City account. Kieran Inglis was played clean through and goal and although he was denied by the keeper, the ball rebounded out to Ross whose shot was deflected agonisingly onto the crossbar.

Ross came close again when he broke clear of the defence but he struck tamely at the keeper, before the game was effectively ended as a contest as City netted a third 20 minutes from time. MARC SCOTT drove at the Forres defence on the left side and had the beating of his man before drilling low past the keeper from a tight angle.

RORY CURRIE, who was introduced to the action for Julian Wade, made a real impact with a number of dangerous runs in behind the Forres defence. Currie was initially denied with a one-on-one situation with Knight out well to save, however he was not to be denied a couple of minutes later. Again he broke the offside trap and with his plenty of time to pick his spot, he confidently stroked the ball in at the near post.

City weren’t content with four and they continued to push forward to add to their advantage in the closing stages with Cammie Ross being denied twice by Knight.

Referee Greg Soutar called time on a 4th consecutive win for City, with the outstanding Max Kucheriavyi deservedly named as the sponsors man of the match.

Next up for City is a crucial Highland League fixture at home to Buckie Thistle next week.