Match Report - By Steven Mew

City gave up valuable ground in the Highland League title race as Buckie Thistle came from behind to take all 3 points in a tense encounter at Victoria Park yesterday evening.

Despite the disappointment of defeat, City’s destiny remains in their own hands and they head into the final 5 fixtures knowing that five wins would definitely be enough to clinch back-to-back Championships. Needless to say, an improvement on the second half at Victoria Park will be required if City are to remain in top spot at the end of the campaign.

Manager Gavin Price made 3 changes from the side that defeated Turriff United 5-1 at the weekend. Hamish Thomson, Luke Strachan and Seth Patrick all came in at the expense of Ryan Ferguson, Fraser MacLeod and Jamie Richardson.

In front of a healthy midweek crowd boosted by several hundred City supporters, Buckie looked to try and catch City out early on with long balls over the top behind the defence and Lenny Wilson had to be off his line quickly to deny Josh Peters after 11 minutes before Joe McCabe headed wide from a right sided cross two minutes later.

Just after the quarter hour mark, City had the ball in the net as Danny Handling slipped a neat pass in behind for Ewan Loudon to slot past the keeper, however the linesman had his flag up for what was a marginal call.

On 19 minutes another long ball forward caused problems for the City rearguard but fortunately top scorer Josh Peters couldn’t keep his composure and blazed over the bar from inside the penalty area.

Seth Patrick fired a shot wide from 20 yards for City whilst at the other end, Jack MacIver was presented with an excellent opportunity but again the ball flew well over the bar.

With 26 minutes on the clock, City made the breakthrough thanks to a fantastic solo goal from EWAN LOUDON. The forward collected the ball in midfield and made a darting run to break clear of the Buckie defence before skipping past the keeper and he kept his composure to slot into the net despite the best efforts on Hamish Munro on the line.

City enjoyed a good period following the goal and could consider themselves unlucky not to be going in at the break two goals ahead. Kevin McHattie fired a shot inches wide of the near post whilst Danny Handling had a shot blocked, with Seth Patrick firing the loose ball over the bar.

On the stroke of half time, Grady McGrath would come even closer for City when his powerful strike was turned round the post by on-loan Aberdeen stopper Tom Ritchie.

Following a very competitive first half, there was plenty reason for optimism amongst the City support that they could push on and earn a result that would have put City firmly in the driving seat for the Highland League title. Unfortunately, the first half was as good as it got as the home side took full control in the second period.

Nine minutes after the restart, the hosts restored parity through MAX BARRY. The Buckie playmaker let fly with a low strike from 20 yards which went through a ruck of bodies and into the bottom corner.

The Jags were almost ahead ten minutes later when a fine move resulted in Lyall Keir smashing a strike against the post.

City struggled to get into any kind of rhythm and the Jags got their noses in front in fortuitous fashion in the 77th minute. The ball broke kindly for talismanic defender JACK MURRAY who fired a left footed strike which took a wicked deflection on it’s way beyond Wilson in the City goal.

With four minutes remaining, Buckie very nearly sealed the 3 points when Josh Peters slammed a shot just inches wide of the post.

Deep into stoppage time, City were almost handed a golden opportunity to equalise when Ewan Loudon charged down a clearance from keeper Tom Ritchie, however substitute Matthew Wright delayed on his strike and the danger was cleared much to the frustration of the visiting support.

In the dying seconds, the home side could have put the icing on the cake through Andy McAskill who zipped a shot narrowly wide.

Overall it was a frustrating evening for City, especially having gone in at the break a goal ahead. Focus will now swiftly move on to the remaining 5 matches, starting with the lengthy trip to face Wick Academy at Harmsworth Park on Saturday.