Match Report - By Steven Mew

City rounded off an excellent week for the club with a 3-0 victory over Lossiemouth yesterday afternoon which saw Andy Kirk’s side move to the Highland League summit for the first time.

City did all of the hard work during a terrific first half showing but were unable to replicate their performance in the second period, perhaps with the midweek exertions against Stirling Albion taking their toll.

On paper, a three goal victory and a clean sheet would be more than enough to please however a lacklustre second half, coupled with injuries and a sending off for Seth Patrick meant the game ended on a slightly disappointing note.

Following a busy week, Andy Kirk freshened up the squad slightly with two changes from Wednesday with Hamish Thomson coming into the side whilst Anthony McDonald was handed a first competitive start. Making way were Nathan Cooney and Euan Spark who started on the bench.

In scorching conditions at Glebe Park, City started brightly with McGrath pulling a shot wide of the post before McDonald fired over shortly after.

City would come even closer on 10 minutes when a cross from the left by Inglis found Northcott completely unmarked in the centre of the box, but his header came back off the post.

The first goal for City arrived after 12 minutes. A delightful ball over the top from McDonald found GRADY MCGRATH who took the ball down, composed himself and smashed a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box despite the best efforts of Logan Ross who got a hand to it.

Midway through the half Scott tried his luck with audacious effort from range with the visitors’ keeper well off his line but the ball ended up on the roof of the net.

The advantage was doubled in the 25th minute following a delightful passing move which ended with McDonald playing an intricate flick into the path of MacLeod – the midfielder skipped past the challenge of a defender before ANTHONY MCDONALD stroked the ball into the corner from 10 yards for his first City goal.

The visitors first real opportunity arrived after 28 minutes. A long ball forward was fumbled by Wilson under a challenge and Jared Kennedy sweeped a volley well wide.

City continued to look dangerous going forward and added a third goal on the half hour mark. A cross in from the right hand side by Scott was punched out by Ross but only as far as FRASER MACLEOD who struck a half-volley into the corner from the edge of the box, opening his City account in the process.

Five minutes before the break, an in-swinging corner from McHattie found the head of McGrath but he was unable to keep his header down.

Manager Andy Kirk made a change at the break with goalscorer Anthony McDonald, who is currently being eased into action, replaced by a trialist striker.

Following a very positive first half, there was an air of expectation amongst the home support that City could add to their tally in the second half but unfortunately this was not to be the case.

Barely a minute into the second half Ross Morrison had a shot saved from range for the Coasters, whilst at the other end they almost conceded a calamitous 4th. Northcott played a neat one-two with MacLeod and whilst his low cross was pushed out by the keeper, the resulting clearance rebounded off a defender and went narrowly past the post.

McHattie was next to threaten for City with a low shot that whistled past the post, before City were denied what looked to be a legitimite penalty claim when McGrath was bundled over inside the box by Farquhar.

The referee waved away the claims and with City still incensed with the decision, Lossie almost grabbed a goal on the counter attack. An error by Thomson allowed Forbes with a clear run at goal but Wilson was quick off his line to block the effort.

McGrath, who was still nursing a knock from the challenge for the penalty appeal, was substituted for Cammie Ross after 63 minutes.

Four minutes after coming on, Ross did well down the left hand side to deliver a cross for Scott at the back post who rose above his marker but his towering header ended up on the roof of the net. Shortly after, a powerful effort from Inglis looked goalbound but Ross did supremely well to get a tough to tip over the bar.

With quarter of an hour remaining, City suffered a blow when Hamish Thomson went down in some distress and was taken off for Nathan Cooney.

Four minutes later, things didn’t get any better for City when Seth Patrick was sent off for a second yellow, but the personnel was evened up shortly after when the visitors captain Ryan Farquhar was also given his marching orders for a push on Northcott.

Another cause for concern 4 minutes from time was stand-in skipper Jamie Bain pulling up with nobody around him. With all substitutes already used, ‘Baino’ stayed on for the remainder of the match but appeared to be moving with some discomfort.

The match ended 3-0 and with Brora losing at Formartine, the result saw City go top of the Highland League for the very first time. Next up for City a trip to Grantown to take on bottom side Strathspey Thistle.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 2 Clachnacuddin 1

Formartine United 2 Brora Rangers 1

Forres Mechanics 1 Keith 2

Huntly 1 Deveronvale 0

Inverurie Locos 0 Buckie Thistle 4

Nairn County 0 Fraserburgh 4

Rothes 6 Turriff United 1

Strathspey Thistle 1 Wick Academy 2