Match Report - By Steven Mew

City opened up their Premier Sports Cup campaign with an impressive showing against Premiership outfit St Johnstone at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

The Perth side may have come away with the 3 points, but City were left with a lot of positives to take from the game.

There was a familiar look to City’s starting 11, with all but one player having been at the Club last season. Brad McKay made his debut for City whilst fellow new signings Ross Milne, Scott Logan and Dayle Robertson started on the bench.

Former City Manager Andy Kirk and Club Advisor Craig Levein returned to Glebe Park in the away dugout, with former City loanee Max Kucheriavyi amongst the Saints ranks.

In front of a healthy crowd of 1075, City started brightly by forcing a corner early on which was punched away by Rae in the visitors goal and shortly after, Macleod was fouled on the right hand side and McDonald’s free kick was gathered by the Saints keeper.

The gulf in divisions certainly wasn’t evident with neither side conjuring up much in the way of clear cut opportunities. Midway through the half, Anthony McDonald’s dangerous looking free kick just went wide of the far post.

On 38 minutes Josh McPake had a shot blocked by Seth Patrick and 5 minutes later, Kimpioka blasted over from the right hand side of the box.

Just as it looked like the sides were going to go in at the break goalless, St Johnstone were awarded a penalty when Kimpioka went down under the challenge of Lewis Martin. GRAHAM CAREY stepped up to take and dispatched his penalty right down the middle.

Patrick Cregg made two changes at the break with Euan Spark and Ewan Loudon making way for Kevin McHattie and Spencer Moreland.

Nine minutes into the second half, the impressive Kimpioka took advantage of a slack pass to burst through on goal but his low effort was saved by the legs of Wilson.

On 58 minutes City very nearly equalised in spectacular fashion when Seth Patrick’s dipping volley from 25 yards was superbly tipped away by Josh Rae. From the corner that followed, Brad McKay headed straight at the keeper.

City would threaten again just three minutes later, a pinpoint cross from McDonald on the left hand side found Dayle Robertson, who had replaced Sean Hastie ten minutes prior, but he could only guide his first time effort up in the air which was gathered by Rae.

The home side would be left to pay for those missed chances when the visitors doubled the advantage on 65 minutes. Saints captain KYLE CAMERON received the ball 25 yards out and he let fly with a tremendous strike which arrowed into the top corner.

Saints went on to enjoy a good spell at this stage as they looked to put the game beyond doubt. Stevie May fired over from range whilst substitute Taylor Steven was twice denied by Wilson, the first of which from a header whilst the other was a fine stop at his near post.

Lenny Wilson was having an impressive afternoon in the City goal as he also kept out a header from Sidibeh and as the game entered 90 minutes, he got down well to gather a low strike from Franczak.

A couple of minutes into stoppage time, City got the goal that their play deserved to set up a nervy finish. Marc Scott made a run down the right hand side of the box and his cut-back was met by SPENCER MORELAND who guided a shot off on his left foot into the net via the inside of the post.

City were unable to force what would have been a dramatic equaliser, but can take great credit for their performance against a side four leagues above.

Another challenge awaits City on Tuesday evening as we make the journey to take on Championship side Greenock Morton at Cappielow, with a 7:45pm kick off.