Match Report - By Eoin McNicol

City progressed to the semi-final of the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup, netting two second half goals without reply in energy sapping weather conditions.

Goals from Liam Duell and Grady McGrath were enough to see off a physical Inverurie Loco Works side in the scorching heat at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park. The goalscoring partnership made up for missing two sitters in the first half but were on target in the second period to ensure City progressed.

There was only one change to Andy Kirk’s lineup from last weekends win away to Rothes, with the injured Ewan Loudon dropping out for Ewan Murray.

It was a lively opening couple of minutes, Inverurie had the chance to take the lead in the opening 30 seconds when Blair Smith’s volley was wide of the post. Less than a minute later City were on the attack after a long ball in behind, but the goalkeeper just beat Grady McGrath to it, dropping the ball at first attempt but managing to hold at second effort.

Five minutes in, Grady McGrath worked his way to the byline and cut back to Fraser Macleod and his side footed effort was held on the line by Zack Ellis.

Locos threatened on 10 minutes when Callum Duncan’s cross from the right was over everyone in the box and found Thomas Reid on the opposite flank, but Macleod was back to do his defensive duties as he cleared the low cross.

Shortly after, Demilade Yunus looked to slide in Myles Gaffney, but Hamish Thomson did well to intercept the through ball before passing back to Lenny Wilson who booted the ball out for a corner.

Miles Gaffney then drilled a shot from distance for the visitors, with it being deflected inches past the post to deny the striker.

On the quarter hour mark, Liam Duell looked destined to put City ahead after a nice one-two with Ewan Murray before the ball was put on a plate for the striker, but he dragged his shot wide of the post from close range.

Just before the half hour mark, a shocker of a challenge on Marc Scott on the right saw Logan Johnstone go into the referees book. The free kick was floated in by Ewan Murray and met the head of Lewis Martin, who flicked his header wide. Grady McGrath then skied a glorious chance from 6 yards after receiving the ball from Fraser Macleod.

City took the lead just 7 minutes into the second half through LIAM DUELL. Fraser Macleod flashed a ball into the box from the left, finding McGrath who flicked the ball in front of Liam Duell who managed to poke the ball into the bottom corner with a fully outstretched leg.

City’s opener seemed slow the game down until the second water break of the match in the 67th minute, where the game started to liven up again.

On 73 minutes, Liam Duell burst into space down the left wing before squaring it to McGrath inside the box who saw his shot blocked. The clearance fell favourably to substitute Spencer Moreland on the edge of the box before his side footed shot was yet again blocked by the Loco’s defence.

With quarter of an hour left to play, McHattie produced a stunning ball from left back as he guided it over to McGrath who was bombing down the right. The striker controlled the ball well, but his shot was turned away for a corner which was cleared at the front post.

In the 78th minute, penalty shouts from the home crowd for handball were ignored from referee Greg Soutar. However, City got their penalty just a minute later as Macleod was bundled to the ground by Thomas Reid. GRADY MCGRATH was the man to put the ball down on the spot before firing into the bottom left corner, despite the keeper guessing correctly.

Eight minutes from time, Duell had again showed his pace down the wing before picking out Moreland on the edge, producing a perfectly struck shot which was curling high into the top corner but Ellis was there to produce the equally impressive stop.

With a minute left of the 90, Duell controlled the ball with an exquisite touch as he flicked the ball over the defenders head after meeting an inch perfect through ball from Moreland. However, Duell took the ball wide of the goal and was unable to put the icing on the cake after a great move.

Into stoppage time with the game all but wrapped up, Kevin McHattie went for glory himself with the defender trying a rocket from distance after picking up the ball just inside the Loco’s half, but the ball was well wide of the mark.

Back to back clean sheets for City as we progress to the semi final of the GPH Highland League Cup to face either Brora Rangers, Fraserburgh or Keith. Next up is some more home action in the Highland League as we host Strathspey Thistle next Saturday.

Other Results - Highland League Cup Round 2

Brora Rangers 4 Forres Mechanics 0

Keith 0 Buckie Thistle 0

Keith FC win on penalties

Strathspey Thistle 1 Fraserburgh 3