Match Report - By Steven Mew

There was nothing to separate the top two in the Highland League as City played out a stalemate against Banks O’ Dee yesterday evening.

The result means City stay three points clear at the summit, but will have seen the game as a missed opportunity to stretch their lead over the Aberdeen side.

There were 3 changes from the side that defeated Wick Academy on Saturday with Kevin McHattie, Lewis Martin and and Marc Scott returning to the starting 11. Hamish Thomson and Jamie Richardson dropped to the bench, whilst Luke Strachan missed out through injury.

Gavin Price’s side certainly looked in the mood early on with Ewan Loudon and Euan Spark both denied by the keeper within the opening minutes before a strike from Marc Scott was deflected wide.

Murray Mackintosh also tested Hoban in the visitors goal before the Banks O’ Dee stopper made a terrific reflex save to deny Ewan Loudon from point blank range. From the resulting corner, Fraser MacLeod’s delivery clipped the crossbar.

The onslaught continued with Marc Scott attempting to catch Hoban off his line following a poor kick out but his effort went wide of goal. Kevin McHattie was next to threaten with a strike from range but likewise he was off target.

Midway through the half, Banks O’ Dee started to grow into the game as a deep free kick from Brendan Hamilton was pushed over by Lenny Wilson and from the resulting corner, Kane Winton headed over.

The visitors were being limited to shots from range, with Brendan Hamilton and Mark Gilmour both blazing over from distance.

Ten minutes before the break, a cross from Kevin McHattie was glanced wide by Lewis Martin and five minutes later, Fraser MacLeod broke forward down the right and cut inside but his shot was blocked for a corner.

The sides went in level at half time and the deadlock should have been broken just a minute into the second period. Matthew Wright was played in down the right hand side and his low cross into the box looked destined to be tucked away by Ewan Loudon but he somehow sliced wide.

At the other end, on loan Inverness striker Ethan Cairns teed the ball up for Kane Winton 20 yards from goal but his strike whistled past the post.

Shortly after the hour mark, Murray Mackintosh dragged a shot wide and shortly after, Kevin McHattie came inside on his favoured left foot but his effort was deflected out for a corner.

With 8 minutes remaining, Fraser MacLeod took advantage of some hesitant defending to break through on goal but his powerful strike was pushed out by Hoban at the near post.

As the game edged towards stoppage time, there was a let off for City when Nathan Cooney failed to deal with a ball over the top but Lenny Wilson was well positioned to deny substitute Lachie MacLeod.

Grady McGrath, who came on as a late substitute for Matthew Wright almost made an immediate impact as he engineered some space on the edge of the box but his strike on his weaker left foot flew over.

A frustrating evening in front of goal was rounded off with Murray Mackintosh dragging a shot wide from a promising position on the edge of the box.

City will feel disappointed not to come away with a win, however the point gained may well prove to be crucial come the business end of the season.

Following three successive home matches, City are back on the road again on Saturday as we make the journey up the A96 to face Keith at Kynoch Park.