Match Report - By Eoin McNicol

A hat-trick from Grady McGrath helped City ease past Strathspey Thistle following a dominant display on Saturday afternoon.

Four first half goals from Spencer Moreland, Fraser Macleod and a Grady McGrath double put the game out of Strathspey’s reach at the break before McGrath grabbed his first hat-trick of the season as City ran out as comfortable 5-0 winners.

Strathspey Thistle came into this rock bottom of the table without a point, so it was important for City not to be complacent, but a dominant performance ensured that there were no slip up.

Andy Kirk made 4 changes to his starting lineup following last week’s Highland League Cup victory over Inverurie Loco Works. Jamie McCabe came in for Lenny Wilson between the sticks as well as Michael Cruickshank replacing Ewan Murray on the left.

Kirk also altered his midfield with Ryan Ferguson and Marc Scott unavailable which saw Seth Patrick and Spencer Moreland the preferred pair in midfield. Andy Kirk also had his son, Corey Kirk, at his disposal after the midfielder signed on loan on Saturday morning.

Brechin came flying out of the blocks as Lewis Martin played in Liam Duell in the first minute. Duell used his strength to shrug off his man before his cross bobbled into the keepers grasp at the front post.

It took just 10 minutes for Brechin to open the scoring, Fraser Macleod did well before laying off SPENCER MORELAND on the edge of the box whose fine effort sneaked through the bodies in the box and beat the keeper.

Just 2 minutes later, Kevin McHattie received the ball on the left side of the box before trying a trivela shot with his left boot, but his effort was straight into the goalkeepers body for him to hold.

City completely dominated all aspects of the game in the opening 20 minutes, with the vast majority of football being played in Strathspey’s half.

In the 20th minute, Euan Spark did well to intercept and win back possession to stop the counterattack after Strathspey were gifted a rare touch of the ball.

Lewis Martin looked dangerous down the right wing in the first half, being able to get forward from defence. Midway through the half, a nice flick on by Patrick found Martin running into space down the right but was cut out by a great sliding challenge from Allan Kerr to stop the attack.

In the 26th minute, Martin picked out Macleod in the box who rifled another low effort at goal, but Steve Martin was able to get down quickly to deny him. Just 3 minutes later, the pair combined combined once again as Martin's cross into the box found FRASER MACLEOD at the back post who was able to bundle the ball into the net.

City were piling on the pressure as they hunted their 3rd of the afternoon, peppering Steve Martin’s goal in the process. GRADY MCGRATH got involved in the goalscoring in the 35th minute as the ball fell favourably to him before he lashed his effort into the top right of the goal.

Six minutes before the break, City produced a nice attacking move as Euan Spark played a one-two with Grady McGrath before picking out Fraser Macleod in the box. MacLeod was denied his second of the game as he rifled a powerful effort goalward which was rising into the roof of the net, but Steve Martin was there to parry the ball up high and away from goal.

In the 41st minute, the referee awarded Brechin a penalty after Kevin McHattie was taken down by Allan Kerr in the box. GRADY MCGRATH showed good composure as he slotted the ball home from the spot to make it 4 going into the break.

City very nearly made it 5 with the last kick of the first half as McGrath unselfishly put the ball across goal to Lewis Martin running in at the far post, but the defender leaned back as he fired his shot over the crossbar from the tight angle.

Five minutes into the second period, a Strathspey free kick from distance was taken by Kane Davies who whipped in the ball, but Jamie McCabe commanded his box well as he got up well to gather.

A minute later, McGrath was denied his hattrick after being picked out well by Macleod who cut back to him, but McGrath’s side footed effort was straight at Martin who stopped with his legs from close range.

Strathspey managed their first shot on target on 54 minutes after a quick counter attack. Jack Davidson broke into space before playing in Michael Mackenzie who cut inside and curled a shot goalward. The shot was heading for the side netting, but Jamie McCabe stayed alert to get over and parry the shot round the post.

58 minutes in, GRADY MCGRATH bagged his hat-trick in style. McGrath received the ball from McHattie just inside the box with his back to goal, producing an exquisite turn past his man to fashion himself the chance before drilling the ball across goal and into the bottom left corner.

Just two minutes after scoring, a misplaced pass by Hamish Thomson allowed Michael Mackenzie another chance at goal. However, the Strathspey striker was unable to capitalise on the error as McCabe dealt with the low effort.

After 67 minutes of play, Grady McGrath was slid in down the right before cutting inside and creating a scoring opportunity as Liam Duell lurked in the box. McGrath was in a goalscoring mood however and opted to go for a fourth himself which was blocked.

Nine minutes from time, Liam Duell put it on a plate for Seth Patrick after a superb run down the left before laying off the midfielder, but Patrick’s finished lacked composure as he sliced his effort well wide of the mark.

A comfortable win for Brechin with the job done in the first half, a result which moves City up to 2nd in the table. Next up is another home tie against Rothes in the first round of the Scottish Cup next Saturday.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 2 Buckie Thistle 0

Clachnacuddin 0 Formartine United 5

Deveronvale 0 Huntly 6

Keith 0 Brora Rangers 1

Nairn County 4 Inverurie Locos 0

Rothes 1 Lossiemouth 0

Turriff United 2 Forres Mechanics 0

Wick Academy 0 Fraserburgh 3