Match Report - By Steven Mew

City netted three goals in the final six minutes as they made their superiority count late on against bottom side Fort William at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

It was far from a vintage performance from City but they ran out comfortable winners in the end to make it 10 consecutive victories.

Andy Kirk’s selection issues were somewhat eased as he made 3 changes from the side that defeated Clachnacuddin last weekend with Jack Wills, Kieran Inglis and Cammie Ross all coming into the starting 11.

City started brightly and within the opening minute, Marc Scott slid a clever ball through for Garry Wood to run on to but Kulbacki was off his line quickly to block.

Wood threatened again when he latched on to a flick on from Cammie Ross but his left footed shot was straight at Kulbacki and the Fort keeper was called into action again when he kept out an Inglis strike from the edge of the box.

Following a positive start, the home crowd were stunned into silence after 6 minutes when referee Nathan Clac-Mansfield awarded a penalty when Yves Zama went down under a challenge from Kevin McHattie. TAYLOR KELLY stepped up to convert the penalty to give the visitors a shock lead.

City needed a response and on 10 minutes, a corner from Michael Cruickshank flashed across the face of goal with no takers and shortly after, Layton Bisland’s deep cross came back off the post.

Marc Scott was a constant threat down the right flank and he came close when he cut inside and curled a left footed shot just over the crossbar.

Midway through the half City pulled themselves level. Cruickshank sent Cammie Ross scampering down the left hand side of the box and he provided an inch perfect cross for KIERAN INGLIS to head beyond Kulbacki.

Several minutes later, Marc Scott glided effortlessly past two Fort William defenders before pulling the trigger but Kulbacki did well to get down to save his effort.

City dominated possession but struggled to create any further clear cut chances for the remainder of the half with Fort quick to close down at every opportunity.

The visitors were first to threaten in the second period when Adam Morris fired into the side netting before City were awarded a penalty on 53 minutes. Cammie Ross did well to get goal-side of Niels Iellouch before being dragged down, with the referee having little hesitation in pointing to the spot. KIERAN INGLIS stepped up and sent Kulbacki the wrong way with his penalty for his 13th goal of the season.

Kevin McHattie and Marc Scott both had efforts off target for City before Kieran Inglis dragged a shot wide following Scott’s cutback.

‘Marco’ was central to almost every attack as his cross found Garry Wood who headed over and he came close again himself when he evaded the challenge of three Fort defenders before stinging the hands of Kulbacki in the visitors goal.

Julian Wade, who had replaced Kieran Inglis on 69 minutes, did well to guide a header goalwards from Marc Scott’s cross but it was straight at the keeper.

With six minutes remaining, City doubled their advantage when a long angled pass upfield from McHattie found CAMMIE ROSS who skipped past a defender before lashing a powerful left footed strike past the keeper.

Barely a minute had elapsed after the restart when MICHAEL PATON added a sublime 4th goal. The substitute received the ball at the halfway line and advanced forward with the ball before unleashing a terrific 30-yard strike which flew into the top corner.

Against a tiring back line, City were hungry for more and they further added to the advantage a minute from time when JULIAN WADE made his way into the box and slotted into the far corner.

Overall, a convincing win for City in the end with focus now turning to the last league match of the season against Lossiemouth at Grant Park next weekend.