Match Report - By Steven Mew

A double from Ewan Loudon and a goal from Murray Mackintosh on his return set City on their way to another 3 points against Rothes yesterday afternoon.

It is entirely fair to say that City weren’t at their best for much of the 90 minutes but did enough to earn another crucial victory to edge 4 points clear at the top of the Highland League.

Following a hard-earned victory over Nairn County last weekend, Gavin Price made two changes to his side. Hamish Thomson returned to the centre of defence whilst Danny Handling made his first start for the Club. New signings Murray Mackintosh and Jamie Richardson both started on the bench, whilst there was also a ‘well kent’ trialist in Nathan Cooney included in the squad.

It was the visitors who created the first chance after 5 minutes - a searching ball from Greg Morrison found Aidan Wilson inside of the box but he saw his strike deflected over by Kevin McHattie.

City’s slow start continued and on 19 minutes they lost possession cheaply to Charlie MacDonald and his cross found Greg Morrison inside the box but he couldn’t guide his header on target.

Midway through the half, City opened the scoring against the run of play. Grady McGrath played a fine ball down the right flank for EWAN LOUDON who got the better of his man before lashing a low strike in at the near post.

The goal evidently gave City the lift that they needed and five minutes later they came agonisingly close to doubling the advantage. Marc Scott whipped a cross into the cross for Grady McGrath who saw his effort spin onto the post and back into the grateful arms of McCarthy.

McGrath then threatened with a left footed strike from 20 yards whilst McCarthy was equal to Danny Handling’s strike just a few minutes later.

City continued to look for that second goal before the break – Ryan Ferguson played a neat one-two with Grady McGrath to go through on goal but skipper Michael Finnis did supremely well to deny with a latch-ditch tackle.

Three minutes later, Marc Scott threaded a fine ball through for Fraser MacLeod who saw his low strike kept out by a fingertip save for a corner.

Six minutes into the second period, City had the opportunity to put clear daylight between the sides when they were awarded a penalty after Marc Scott was upended in the box by Ben Johnstone. Top scorer Grady McGrath stepped up to take the spot kick but saw his effort kept out by McCarthy before being scrambled away.

From the resulting corner, Lewis Martin saw his header crash against the bar from Fraser MacLeod’s delivery and the same player had another opportunity from the second phase but his side footed effort was straight at McCarthy.

On the hour mark, Danny Handling made way for Jamie Richardson who came on for his debut. The on-loan Dundee youngster certainly went on to impress with his direct running down the left hand side.

Midway through the half, Marc Scott fired a left footed shot over before City got the all-important second goal in the 69th minute. Kevin McHattie dinked a delightful ball down the left hand side of the box for Fraser MacLeod who provided the cross for EWAN LOUDON to stab home from close range.

Minutes after the goal, Manager Gavin Price freshened up his side with a triple substitution with trialist Nathan Cooney, Seth Patrick and Sean Hastie replacing Hamish Thomson, Fraser MacLeod and Ewan Loudon respectively.

Shortly after, MURRAY MACKINTOSH took the field to replace Grady McGrath and ‘Muzz’ took little more than 4 minutes to announce his arrival with the 3rd goal. He collected a pass from Kevin McHattie and came inside from the left before unleashing a 20 yard strike which arrowed into the bottom corner.

Any hopes of a third consecutive clean sheet for City were dashed 7 minutes from time as GREG MORRISON managed to get a snapshot away on the edge of the box which wriggled into the corner despite the best efforts of Jamie McCabe.

Next on the agenda for City is the mammoth trip to Caithness to take on Wick Academy at Harmsworth Park next Saturday as they look to cement their position at the top of the table.