Match Report - By Steven Mew

A brace from Ewan Loudon helped City to an impressive win over fellow challengers Brora Rangers at Dudgeon Park yesterday afternoon, ending the hosts 11-game unbeaten run.

It was an excellent team performance from City which culminated in them leapfrogging the hosts into third place in the Highland League.

Manager Andy Kirk made two changes from last weekend with Max Kucheriavyi returning from suspension, whilst Ewan Loudon also started after netting his first senior goal against Fort William.

Despite playing against the wind, the hosts started brightly and almost took advantage of a defensive lapse after 4 minutes, however the City rearguard did well to block two efforts. Two minutes later, a corner floated into the box was headed onto the roof of the net by Dale Gillespie.

City were forced into an early substitution after 9 minutes when Nathan Cooney limped off to be replaced by Cammie Ross. It was Ross who conjured up the first opportunity for City a minute after coming on but his strike from the edge of the box was straight at Joe Malin.

With 23 minutes gone, City opened the scoring when EWAN LOUDON found space on the edge of the box before firing low into the net.

With the wind behind them, City continued to have the upper hand with Cammie Ross firing a shot across the face of goal following a clever back-heel from Loudon.

Two minutes before the break, Max Kucheriavyi showed some great footwork to get to the by-line before delivering a cross into the box but Garry Wood couldn’t connect properly and sliced wide.

Shortly into the second half, a slip from Hamish Thomson allowed Alistair Sutherland a shot at goal however Jack Wills gathered the shot comfortably.

Up at the other end, Kucheriavyi set up Murray Mackintosh on the edge of the box but his rasping drive was tipped over the bar by Malin and shortly after, Loudon played Ross in on goal but he could only fire wide of the near post.

City continued to put pressure on the home defence and they gave themselves some breathing space shortly before the hour mark with a second goal. EWAN LOUDON did supremely well to glide past a defender before lashing an unstoppable strike low into the net.

Confidence was clearly high and it could easily been 3 just a few minutes later when Kevin McHattie’s volley looked destined for the top corner, but Malin was equal to it as he palmed away for a corner.

Substitute Marc Scott, who replaced the impressive Loudon 13 minutes from time, threatened for City in the closing stages. He had the beating of two men before setting up Ross who fired into the side netting and as the game entered stoppage time, ‘Marco’ very nearly got on the scoresheet himself as he stung the hands of the Brora keeper.

Overall, an excellent performance from City against a Brora side that had been motoring along nicely in the league of late. Next up is a home fixture against Nairn County next Saturday.