Match Report - By Eoin McNicol

City bounced back to winning ways with a relentless performance which saw them defeat Huntly 5-0 at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

After consecutive league defeats, City looked back to their best with a well organised performance in a clinical display.

Grady McGrath grabbed his fourth hattrick of the season before new signing Sean Hastie netted just minutes after coming on as a substitute. Ewan Murray grabbed City’s fifth late on with a well taken free kick from 25 yards.

Gavin Price made 4 changes to his starting lineup from last week's defeat in Pitmedden. Jamie McCabe wore the gloves in goal as he replaced Lenny Wilson, along with changes all across the pitch as Kevin McHattie returned to the starting lineup for Hamish Thomson. Spencer Moreland replaced Seth Patrick in midfield while Ewan Murray also came in at the expense of Liam Duell.

In the opening minutes, Marc Scott was getting plenty of space out on the right flank. City looked to capitalise with a few lofted through balls towards him early on. One of them was nicely flicked on by Scott to Ewan Loudon at the front post but his shot was low and straight at the keeper.

In the 3rd minute, Jamie McCabe was called into action as Michael Dangana fired a shot through the legs of Euan Spark. The shot was headed into the bottom corner but McCabe showed great reactions to get down and get behind the shot despite his blocked view.

Brechin were showing great intensity in the opening 10, pushing for the opening goal. Kevin McHattie drilled a shot from distance which was heading into the bottom corner but the keeper was fully outstretched to beat it away.

14 minutes in, Lewin Martin intercepted the ball in the midfield before driving forward into space, the defender then slid through McGrath who shot from the right of the box but his shot was deflected for a corner. The resulting corner picked out McGrath in the middle of the box who smashed a first time shot just over the crossbar.

In the 16th minute, City opened the scoring through GRADY MCGRATH who got on the end of a cut back from Ewan Loudon on the byline. The striker produced a composed left footed finish as he curled his shot into the bottom left corner.

On 20 minutes, City were awarded a free kick just outside the box as Marc Scott was fouled by Ross Still. Kevin McHattie smashed the set piece into the Huntly wall before penalty shouts for handball were waved away by the referee.

City continued to dictate the play for the rest of the first half, limiting Huntly’s chances throughout.

On 38 minutes, Spencer Moreland produced a lovely switch from the left wing over to Marc Scott on the right. Scott controlled the ball well before chopping inside and hitting from the edge of the box on his left foot, but he failed to get enough power on his shot to test Fraser Hobday between the sticks.

Huntly had a chance to equalise from a counter attack just before the break as Lewis Crosbie whipped in a cross to the box. The ball had too much pace on it as it went through both Euan Spark and Huntly's Brodie Allen in the box.

Just 2 minutes into the second half, Huntly’s Robbie Foster went through on goal but McCabe was quick off of his line to make the stop before City were able to clear.

Brechin doubled their advantage 5 minutes after the break. Ewan Loudon did well in the box as he pushed his way past various challenges before putting the ball across the face of the goal where GRADY MCGRATH was on hand to poke home into the bottom right.

GRADY MCGRATH sealed his hat-trick in the 56th minute when Fraser Macleod intercepted a miskick from the goalkeeper in the middle of the Huntly half. MacLeod tried an ambitious effort from range which the keeper parried into the path of GRADY MCGRATH who cut onto his right foot before sliding the ball into the bottom corner.

With the game all but won, Gavin Price experimented with his squad as he brought on substitutes towards the end of the game. New signings Sean Hastie and Craig Moore were among the changes as they made their debuts.

Around 70 minutes in, substitute Michael McArthur played through Ewan Murray down the left wing as he darted towards goal. Murray then combined in a delightful 1-2 with Spencer Moreland who returned the ball to Murray with a rabona pass before flashing the ball across goal. However, Huntly were first to react as they cleared for a corner from which Euan Spark misguided a header over the bar.

On 73 minutes, substitute SEAN HASTIE made an instant impact just minutes after coming off the bench. Marc Scott played the ball across the face of the goal and Hastie was at the back post to tap it in to make it 2 goals in 2 games.

Ten minutes from time, Huntly’s Ross Still was cautioned after pulling down Marc Scott on the right wing. EWAN MURRAY stepped over the free kick from around 25 yards before supplying an in-swinging cross which went through everyone in the box and bounced into the far corner of the goal as the goalkeeper was rooted to the spot.

With minutes to go, Ewan Murray was this time doing his defensive duties as he tracked back to make an interception in the box to deny Huntly a goal scoring opportunity for a consolation goal, earning City their first clean sheet in 4 games.

Overall, it was a dominant display from City showing great intensity throughout the whole 90 as they return to winning ways. Next up is a tough trip to Dudgeon Park to face Brora Rangers in the Highland League next Saturday.

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