Match Report - By Steven Mew

City returned to winning ways against Wick Academy yesterday afternoon and in doing so extended their lead at the top of the Breedon Highland League.

It was far from City’s most impressive performance of the season on a heavy pitch, however the victory coupled with dropped points for several title rivals made it a satisfying day after the disappointment of last weekend.

With one eye on a difficult midweek fixture against Banks O’ Dee, Manager Gavin Price freshened up his side with 5 changes. Lenny Wilson returned between the sticks whilst Nathan Cooney, Luke Strachan, Murray Mackintosh and Matthew Wright all coming into the starting 11.

City were first to threaten 4 minutes in when Fraser MacLeod engineered some space inside the box before teeing up Matthew Wright but his strike was blocked.

With just 8 minutes on the clock, the home support were stunned into silence as the visitors took an early lead. Ewan Loudon was denied what appeared to be a stonewall free kick before the Scorries broke clear with a flowing counter attacking move which resulted in Jack Halliday playing the ball across for GORDON MACNAB to smash a first time shot high into the net.

The home defence were looking uncharacteristically shaky and Nathan Cooney had to be alert to block a shot from goalscorer MacNab just inside the box.

City started to get into their groove with Hamish Thomson denied by keeper Billy Miller before smashing the rebound high into the stand.

With 20 minutes on the clock, City restored parity when a left sided cross from Luke Strachan found MATTHEW WRIGHT inside the box who rose above the keeper to head into the empty net.

The goal clearly gave City confidence as they started to create a lot more openings. Midway through the half Murray Mackintosh played a neat pass in behind for Ewan Loudon who was denied down low by Miller and the same player would threaten again later when he dragged a shot wide of goal.

Shortly after the half hour mark, Fraser MacLeod let fly from 20 yards and his strike whistled just inches over the crossbar.

City kept plugging away and got their reward as they took the lead five minutes before the break. Murray Mackintosh played a ball out to Matthew Wright on the right hand side of the box and his low ball into the danger area was met with an intricate flick by EWAN LOUDON at the near post.

Just two minutes later City doubled their advantage. Fraser MacLeod curled a perfectly-weighted ball in behind the defence for EWAN LOUDON who showed great strength to get the better of a defender before smashing a fantastic strike from a near-impossible angle into the net.

Shortly before the break, Euan Spark met an inswinging corner from Fraser MacLeod at the back post but could only direct his header wide of goal. At the other end, some poor defending almost allowed Gordon MacNab the opportunity for his second but his lobbed effort went narrowly over the bar.

Despite being two goals ahead at the break, Manager Gavin Price will have doubtless been looking for a bit more from his side in the second half. He made a double change at the break with Kevin McHattie and Danny Handling coming on for Hamish Thomson and Ryan Ferguson.

It was a quiet start to the second period, with Ross Gunn firing a 20-yard free kick against the wall and with the ball not properly cleared, he was given another opportunity to have another crack at goal which was comfortably saved by Wilson.

On 65 minutes, a free kick from Danny Handling caused carnage inside the box before being cleared but City were unable to take advantage of the successive corners that followed.

The visitors certainly had their opportunities and Gordon MacNab was central to many of their attacks. Lenny Wilson had to be alert to deny a rasping goalbound effort from the Wick-born striker on 70 minutes whilst Gary Pullen and Ross Gunn had efforts wide of the target.

Murray Mackintosh, who was making his first start for the club since returning from Australia, fired over from range with 8 minutes remaining.

In the closing stages, Danny Handling curled a free kick onto the roof of the net whilst substitute Grady McGrath glanced wide from a Murray Mackintosh delivery.

Although City were unable to add to their tally in the second half, the most important thing was getting back to winning ways which saw them extend their lead at the top of the Highland League to three points ahead of a crucial fixture at home to Banks O’ Dee on Tuesday evening.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 2 Brora Rangers 2

Buckie Thistle 2 Clachnacuddin 3

Formartine United 2 Lossiemouth 2

Fraserburgh 3 Nairn County 0

Huntly 7 Strathspey Thistle 0

Inverurie Locos 1 Forres Mechanics 0

Keith 2 Rothes 1