Match Report - By Steven Mew

Dominik Naglik netted a late equaliser as City were put through their paces by Championship side Arbroath in the stifling heat at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

In addition to building up match fitness ahead of the new season, both sides were able to cast their eye over a number of trialists throughout the game.

City supporters had the chance to see new signing Lewis Martin in action, whilst two trialists were also on from the start for Andy Kirk’s side.

The Lichties threatened first when a trialist striker blazed over after just two minutes, however it was City who started to create a number of opportunities.

MacLeod saw his shot blocked inside the box following a cutback whilst Spark headed wide from a corner. City continued to threaten with last season’s top scorer McGrath sent through on goal by MacLeod but he couldn’t keep his effort down.

Just before the quarter hour mark, a vicious 20-yard free kick from McGrath was tipped over the bar after the striker had been fouled by Lichties’ skipper Ricky Little.

On 23 minutes, a searching ball from Spark sent Loudon scampering down the right hand side – he bore down on goal but sliced his effort wide at the near post.

With the temperatures reaching 25 degrees at Glebe Park, play stopped briefly for a water break.

39 minutes in, Arbroath’s only real effort of the half came through Scott Stewart, however Wilson was equal to his powerful strike at the near post.

On the strike of half time, a low strike from McHattie on the edge of the box was pushed round the post by Adams to ensure it remained goalless at the break.

Seth Patrick came on for McArthur at the break whilst a trialist goalkeeper replaced Wilson in the City goal. The visitors, meanwhile, made no fewer than 8 changes, with only Ricky Little, Scott Stewart and trialist number 39 remaining on the park.

Six minutes into the second half, Arbroath took the lead through DAVID GOLD. City’s trialist goalkeeper made a fine save to deny Arbroath’s number 37 trialist, but he was unable to keep out the rebound from Gold who was quickest to react to the loose ball.

Chances were at the premium for either side as the warm conditions perhaps took their toll on the players so early in pre-season.

With quarter of an hour remaining, Leighton McIntosh had a shot deflected wide for the visitors and two minutes later, City’s trialist keeper made a fine save with his feet to deny, you guessed it, a trialist!

The young stopper was certainly impressing as he made another fine save shortly after, this time parrying a 20-yard strike away to safety.

With two minutes remaining, City got the equaliser that their efforts deserved over the course of the game. A low cross into the box found DOMINIK NAGLIK who did well to turn the defender before firing into the bottom corner.

Naglik could have easily nabbed a quickfire double to win the game for City when he was played through on goal by a trialist, but his sliced his effort wide of the near post.

Overall, a very worthwhile workout for City in gruelling conditions at Glebe Park. Next up for City is the visit of newly promoted Premiership side Dundee as they travel to Brechin next Saturday (3pm kick off).