Match Report - By Steven Mew

Kevin McHattie chose the perfect time to pop up with his first goal of the season as his strike midway through the second half was enough to earn a crucial win over Keith yesterday evening.

The result, in turn, ensured City go into the final day of the season with the chance of retaining the Highland League title.

It was a game in which City should have won by more and they were left to rue some wasteful finishing and a lack of composure in front of goal. Although a more comfortable scoreline would have been a welcome boost to the goal difference, picking up 3 points was crucial first and foremost.

Gavin Price was forced into two changes from the side that defeated Forres Mechanics 6-1 at the weekend. With Danny Handling and Matthew Wright unavailable, Murray Mackintosh and Craig Tosh came into the side with the latter making his first start for the Club. Marc Scott and Sean Hastie also returned from injury to take places on the bench.

Ewan Loudon was first to threaten for City on 8 minutes when his strike was pushed out by McConnachie with Grady McGrath unlucky to connect with the rebound.

With 12 minutes on the clock Jamie Richardson’s strike was deflected into the path of McGrath but he couldn’t quite get the right connection to guide goalwards.

City continued to dominate going forward midway through the half with the sliding Jamie Richardson unlucky not to get on the end of Mackintosh’s angled shot. ‘Muz’ would come close again when his powerful strike from the edge of the box stung the hands of McConnachie before McGrath shot straight at the home keeper.

The visitors kept pressing for the opening goal with the home keeper against denying Murray Mackintosh from range, pushing away for a corner before Craig Tosh headed wide from Lewis Martin’s cross.

At the other end, Euan Spark headed away a corner but only as far as Craig Gill who volleyed straight at Wilson in the City goal.

Towards the end of the half, McHattie tried his luck from range but his strike was straight at the keeper and on the stroke of half time, Euan Spark headed wide from Grady McGrath’s corner.

Into the second period, Fraser MacLeod blazed over from the right hand side of the box whilst the Maroons threatened through Gavin Elphinstone, with Lenny Wilson equal to his effort at the near post

On 56 minutes, Ewan Loudon took a pass from McGrath in his stride before his strike was deflected over the bar and from the resulting corner, Lewis Martin saw his shot blocked.

City kept piling men forward but a lack of composure in the final third continued to be their downfall. Murray Mackintosh fired wide after a free kick from Kevin McHattie was only half cleared and two minutes later the City midfielder burst forward and released Jamie Richardson on the left hand side of the box but his finish ended well over.

It had been beginning to look like one of those nights for City, but KEVIN MCHATTIE had other ideas as he broke the deadlock in the 67th minute with a rasping strike from 20 yards which sailed into the corner.

Now a goal to the good, City were hungry for more in order to boost their goal difference. Ewan Loudon dragged a shot at the keeper after some great work by Richardson whilst substitute Sean Hastie, making his return from injury, fired wide on two occasions in the closing stages.

There was a big scare for City deep into stoppage time when Nathan Cooney appeared to be fouled on the edge of the box by Nathan McKeown and he teed up fellow substitute Michael Taylor who struck the top of the bar.

Following that opportunity, City Manager Gavin Price was shown a red card by referee Duncan Nicolson for his furious protestations.

City will now go into the final game of the season against Brora Rangers at Golspie on Saturday knowing that, at worst, they will be level on points at the top of the Highland League. The task ahead of them will welcome clearer following tonights’ fixture between Strathspey Thistle and fellow title contenders Buckie Thistle at Seafield Park.