Match Report - By Steven Mew

In blustery conditions at Kynoch Park, Keith were simply blown away as a perfect hat-trick from David Cox set City on their way to their biggest win of the season yesterday evening.

Despite playing against the wind in the first half, City coped well with the conditions and went in at the break a goal ahead before the second half onslaught which brought a further 5 goals.

New loan striker Jordan Northcott made his debut for the club whilst Layton Bisland and Marc Scott also came into the side as Andy Kirk made 3 changes from the side that defeated Huntly on Saturday.

City very much continued where they left off at the weekend with Marc Scott threatening after just 3 minutes as his deflected striker was kept out by Demus in the Keith goal.

Barely two minutes later ‘Marco’ was again causing problems for the home rearguard when he got to the byline before firing a ball across the face of goal with Cox just inches away from connecting.

After 10 minutes Layton Bisland swung in a cross which Cox took down inside the box but fired a shot on the turn which flew over.

Seth Patrick, who put in a tireless performance in the heart of the City midfield saw a shot from range comfortably saved by the keeper and Hamish Thomson was next to threaten for City which he blazed over from Jamie Bain’s right sided cross.

On the stroke of half time, City got the goal that their first half dominance deserved. City fans could be forgiven for having a case of deja-vu as the Bain-Cox combination, which yielded two goals at the weekend, came to fruition again. Bain curled a cross into the box which found DAVID COX who stooped to head home.

With the wind behind them in the second half, City took little time to double the advantage on 49 minutes. Skipper Iain Davidson floated a cross into the box for DAVID COX to dink a volley past the goalkeeper.

Cox had a free kick tipped over the bar and shortly after, Patrick slid a pass through for Mackintosh who had a low shot saved from the edge of the box as City continued to pile the pressure on the home defence.

DAVID COX got the hat-trick that he deserved after 65 minutes when Marc Scott burst down the right hand side and laid the ball on a plate for ‘Coxy’ who had the simple task of converting from a few yards out.

Already with a mountain to climb, Keith’s task was made all the more difficult when Kieran Yeats was given his marching orders as he picked up a second booking for needlessly kicking the ball away.

As the game approached the final 20 minutes, Ewan Loudon and Julian Wade came on to replace debutant Jordan Northcroft and David Cox, who was given a rapturous applause from the loyal band of travelling supporters.

The introduction of the pair would pay dividends seven minutes later as they combined for the 4th goal. Loudon worked his way up the right side of the box before drilling a low ball into the danger area for JULIAN WADE who rifled into the roof of the net from two yards out.

Two minutes later Loudon should have really got on the scoresheet himself when Marc Scott again had the beating of his man down the right and he cut the ball back for the young striker who somehow blazed over from close range. However in Loudon’s defence it appeared the ball took a bobble just as he pulled the trigger.

With 8 minutes remaining it was apparent Manager Andy Kirk wanted more goals as Cammie Ross came on to replace defender Hamish Thomson.

Again the substitute paid off almost immediately as CAMMIE ROSS swung a cross into the box and with the assistance of the wind, the ball flew into the far corner to make it 5-0.

City were relentless with wave after wave of attacks at this stage and the scoring was rounded off two minutes from time. Michael Cruickshank’s in-swinging corner flicked off the head of Keith defender RYAN ROBERTSON and into the net.

Overall, a thoroughly impressive performance from City who will now go into Saturday's home fixture against Wick Academy brimming with confidence.