Match Report - By Steven Mew

City made it six wins on the spin yesterday afternoon, but it was far from plain sailing against Strathspey Thistle at a sun-drenched Seafield Park.

Despite the three points, it was a below-par performance from a City side that struggled to get into any kind of rythym against a Strathspey outfit currently sitting second-bottom of the Highland League.

For the first time since early in the season, Andy Kirk named an unchanged side from the 5-0 win over Nairn County last weekend, with David Cox and Kieran Inglis being added to the bench.

City opened the scoring with their first real opportunity after 9 minutes. A cross from the right hand side was allowed to bounce inside the box and EWAN LOUDON stooped to head beyond the keeper.

Loudon would threaten again three minutes later when he headed over from Bain’s cross, whilst Patrick fired over from Scott’s cutback shortly after the quarter hour mark.

Against the run of play, the home side shocked City with an equaliser on 18 minutes as some hesitant defending allowed ROSS LOGAN to slide a shot beyond Iain Ross in the City goal.

City needed a response, with Northcott shooting over from range before Scott met a Loudon corner but was unable to keep his header down.

Wade dragged a shot wide of the target on 37 minutes, before goalscorer Ross Logan tried his luck at the other end with a strike that Ross dealt with comfortably.

On the stroke of half time, Cruickshank did supremely well to get to the byline before cutting the ball back for Patrick who screwed wide.

Following a fairly flat first half showing, Manager Andy Kirk made a change at the break with David Cox coming on for Michael Paton.

It was the home side that were first to threaten in the second period, with Ross again called into action to keep out an effort from range before Dylan Lawrence saw his lobbed effort dip just over the bar.

Five minutes into the half, City were given the opportunity to put themselves back in front when David Cox went down under the challenge of Donaldson in the Strathspey goal. Referee Kevin Buchanan had little hesitation in pointing to the spot, with the home custodian booked for the foul.

Top scorer Marc Scott stepped up to take the penalty, however Donaldson made amends as he guessed right to push away the spot kick.

McHattie fired over for City before they got their noses back in front just after the hour mark. Scott challenged with Donaldson for a high ball in the box and it fell kindly for EWAN LOUDON who stroked into the net for his second.

With quarter of an hour remaining, City put clear daylight between the teams with a third goal. DAVID COX latched on to a long ball from McHattie before smashing an unstoppable effort beyond Donaldson for his 16th goal of the season.

The home side continued battling away, with Ross Logan again denied by Iain Ross who was equal to his effort from the edge of the box.

With 7 minutes remaining, David Cox showed great strength down the left to get away from his man but could only fire into the side netting.

Overall City were far from their best, but most importantly came away with all three points. Manager Andy Kirk will be looking for a marked improvement from his players as we take on Inverurie Locos at Glebe Park on Wednesday evening.