Match Report - By Steven Mew

Some clinical finishing from League 1 side Alloa Athletic proved to be City’s downfall as they went down to the Wasps in the Premier Sports Cup yesterday afternoon.

For the third consecutive game against higher league opposition, Patrick Cregg’s side certainly did not look out of place throughout. Although the visitors were deserving of their victory, a two-goal margin was perhaps a harsh reflection of the game.

Following a hard-working performance against Morton in midweek, the starting 11 was freshened up with the introduction of Ryan Ferguson, Anthony McDonald and Ewan Loudon. Kevin McHattie and Michael Cruickshank dropped to the bench whilst Seth Patrick missed out through suspension after picking up a booking in each of the last two matches.

The home side started the game brightly with Marc Scott delivering a dangerous cross into the box after 9 minutes with no takers, and just a few minutes later the City winger nodded down a cross from McKay into the path of Moreland who was denied by a fine defensive block inside the box.

Despite the promising start, it was the visitors that got their noses in front just after the quarter mark when they were awarded a penalty after Luke Rankin and Lenny Wilson collided just inside the box. Wasps’ captain SCOTT TAGGART confidently stepped up and sent Wilson the wrong way to open the scoring.

Undeterred after going behind, City fought back with Loudon making a fine run down the left side of the box before cutting the ball back from Hastie who couldn’t quite get his shot away and shortly after, McDonald curled a 20 yard effort just inches wide of the post.

Openings had been few and far between for the Wasps in the first half, with their only other real opportunity of the half coming through a free kick from Calum Waters which finished well over the bar.

Five minutes before the break, there were loud appeals from the home players and supporters when Brad McKay appeared to be bundled down in the box, however referee Colin Whyte wasn’t interested in the claims.

On the stroke of half time, a corner whipped in from McDonald found Martin at the back post but he was unable to sort his feet and the ball bobbled harmlessly wide.

Within a minute of the second half starting, Sean Hastie shot over for Brechin with McDonald doing likewise with a 20 yard volley just a few minutes later.

Alloa came close on 64 minutes when a long ball forward found Buchanan - he got the better of McHattie down the right hand side of the box before cutting the ball back but McKay was on hand to intercept and clear the danger.

Two minutes later, the visitors managed to double their advantage. A long ball forward from the goalkeeper was flicked on by Waters down the left side - KEVIN CAWLEY brought the ball down beautifully before driving forward and unleashing a strike from 20 yards into the corner, giving Wilson no chance.

Midway through the half, another inviting delivery from McDonald into the danger area found Brad McKay but he was unable to guide on target.

With quarter of an hour remaining, Alloa more or less put the game beyond doubt with a third goal. A cross from Calum Waters down the left flank found LUKE RANKIN at the back post and he let fly with a well-struck volley into the far corner to extend the advantage.

Rankin very nearly turned provider just two minutes later when his cutback found Taggart inside the box but his initial strike was blocked before blazing the rebound over the bar.

Six minutes from time, City got the goal that their effort deserved. Ewan Loudon did supremely well to sprint past two players down the left hand side before delivering a cross into the box for Dayle Robertson to chest into the path of MARC SCOTT who smashed a low strike in at the near post.

Just two minutes later, Scott was almost sent clean through on goal courtesy of Loudon’s flick on however Morgyn Neill recovered well to intercept.

In the closing stages, Dayle Robertson won a free kick 25 yards out however the set piece from McHattie ended up well wide of goal.

City will finish their Premier Sports Cup campaign with a visit to face East Fife at Bayview on Tuesday evening with a 7:45pm kick off.