Match Report - By Steven Mew

City bounced back from the penalty shootout defeat in the Scottish Cup last weekend to record a comfortable victory over Turriff United at the Haughs yesterday afternoon.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Andy Kirk opted to go with the same 11 that performed admirably against Stirling Albion with Aaron Arnott also returning the squad, taking a spot on the bench.

The home side, who are enjoying an improved season, were the first to threaten on 7 minutes when Jack McKenzie glided forward with the ball before firing a shot wide of the near post.

Turriff were defending well and limiting City to few opportunities. Midway through the half Grady McGrath very nearly opened the scoring when David Dey spilled the strikers effort but managed to claw the ball back from crossing the line.

Botti Biabi had the ball in the net shortly after the half hour mark however the goal was chalked off for offside.

City were starting to flex their muscle with McDonald firing over the bar after being teed up by Biabi and just a minute later, Marc Scott headed over from McDonald’s corner.

Andy Kirk’s men were banging on the door and they eventually opened the scoring five minutes before the break and it was certainly worth the wait. Grady McGrath provided a pin-point cross for BOTTI BIABI who met it perfectly on the full volley which flew into the corner.

Just two minutes later City doubled the advantage with JORDAN NORTHCOTT slotting past the keeper at his near post from close range.

It could have easily been three on the stroke of half time when Botti Biabi got to the byline down the left and he provided a cutback for McGrath who fired wide on the turn.

The visitors started the second half the same way as they finished the first – taking less than 10 seconds to grab a third goal after the restart. A long ball over the top found GRADY MCGRATH who showed great composure to slot beyond the advancing keeper at the near post.

Turriff reduced the deficit on 53 minutes when Aaron Reid provided a cross for CALLAN GRAY to nod beyond Wilson in the City goal.

The home side would come close again just a couple of minutes later when a right sided cross found Max Foster unmarked at the back post but he could only head over.

However, City would restore their 3-goal advantage shortly before the hour mark when Kevin McHattie went down under a challenge in the box. The referee had little hesitation in pointing to the spot and KIERAN INGLIS confidently dispatched his penalty high down the middle.

On 67 minutes Michael Cruickshank, who had replaced Jordan Northcott following the 4th goal, played a neat one-two before his cross-cum-shot was pushed out by Dey in the Turriff goal.

The remainder of the match went with little incident as City comfortably saw the game out to make it 23 matches unbeaten. Next up is a home fixture against Clachnacuddin next weekend (2pm kick off).

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