Match Report - By Steven Mew

After going behind early on, City eventually turned on the style to record a comprehensive win over Forres Mechanics at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

The result ensured City stayed of the table, with fellow title challengers Fraserburgh and Buckie Thistle also recording thumping victories, 5-1 and 6-1 respectively.

Manager Gavin Price made just one change from the starting 11 that lost at Fraserburgh last weekend – Grady McGrath came in for Hamish Thomson as City went with an attack-minded side.

In blustery conditions, albeit nowhere near at strong as the wind last weekend, City were first to threaten on 5 minutes when Danny Handling’s low corner found Grady McGrath lurking in the box but his strike was blocked. A few minutes later, McGrath had an another effort following a short free-kick but it was deflected towards the keeper.

The visitors shocked the home support with the opening goal on 9 minutes. A long kick upfield from the goalkeeper was misjudged by Euan Spark which allowed SAM GORDON a run in on goal and he made no mistake, sliding the ball into the far corner.

Midway through the half, Jamie Michie delivered a deep cross to the back post for Sam Nixon but his header was easily gathered by Wilson.

On 28 minutes, a headed clearance went only as far as Fraser MacLeod 20 yards from goal and his rasping strike ended just inches over the crossbar. Almost immediately at the other end, Sam Gordon did supremely well to spin away from McHattie but his strike was straight at Wilson.

Ten minutes before the break, City bagged the all-important equaliser. Fraser MacLeod collected a throw in from Richardson and played a neat reverse pass in behind the defence for GRADY MCGRATH who supplied the finish across the keeper and into the bottom far corner.

Two minutes later, Danny Handling tried an audacious effort from range following a poor kick out but the keeper did well to recover and save.

It wasn’t long until City got themselves in front and the goal came via the unlikely source of SETH PATRICK. The midfielder showed great tenacity to wriggle free of a Forres challenge before firing a low strike into the bottom corner from near 25 yards.

On the stroke of half time, Kevin McHattie floated a free kick into the box and Corey Paterson did just enough to deny Euan Spark.

City certainly looked keen to add to their tally early in the second half – Matty Wright’s cross into the danger area was pushed out by Paterson and the Forres keeper had to be alert again to keep out the rebound from McGrath.

Shortly after the hour mark, City gave themselves some breathing space as they doubled their advantage. Grady McGrath played a inch perfect pass for Jamie Richardson down the right hand side and he dinked a cross into the box for MATTY WRIGHT who fired a volley beyond the helpless keeper from close range.

Unfortunately Wright was injured in the process of scoring the goal as he collided with McGrath and he was replaced by Craig Tosh.

City were playing with real confidence at this stage and they made it 4-1 with 66 minutes on the clock. Some good play down the left hand side saw McHattie latch on to a clever flick from Richardson – his cross found Loudon who was denied from point blank range by the keeper, but the ball fell for FRASER MACLEOD who bundled over the line.

Despite City’s domination, the visitors came close a few minutes later when Wilson made a fine save to tip Mark McLauchlan’s shot onto the post before being cleared to safety.

The home side made it 5 when Craig Tosh made a darting run down the right flank before delivering a low cross into the box which was diverted by the unfortunate SAM NIXON into his own net.

City were relentless at this stage and it could easily been six just a couple of minutes later. Grady McGrath skipped past his man down the right hand side of the box and his cutback found Ewan Loudon who struck the top of the bar. Loudon would be denied again shortly after when his shot was blocked from close range.

Nine minutes from time there was the welcome sight of Anthony McDonald making his first appearance since July as he took to the field alongside fellow subs Nathan Cooney and Michael Cruickshank.

Ewan Loudon fired wide at the near post before McDonald marked his cameo appearance with an assist as City rounded off the scoring 3 minutes from time. McDonald fired a dangerous free kick into the box which cannoned off the back of CALUM HOWARTH and into the net.

Overall it was a satisfying result for the City with the margin of the win equally important with goal difference potentially coming into play at the end of the season. City are back in action on Tuesday as we travel to face Keith at Kynoch Park (8pm kick off).

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Brora Rangers 1 Banks O' Dee 2

Buckie Thistle 6 Deveronvale 1

Formartine United 6 Rothes 1

Huntly 0 Nairn County 0

Inverurie Locos 1 Clachnacuddin 0

Lossiemouth 0 Turriff United 0

Strathspey Thistle 1 Fraserburgh 5

Wick Academy 2 Keith 0