Match Report - By Steven Mew

City’s Premier Sports Cup campaign ended with a defeat against Dick Campbell’s East Fife side yesterday evening.

Undoubtedly with one eye on the Highland League starting at the weekend, the likes of captain Euan Spark, Fraser Macleod, Anthony McDonald and Marc Scott were rested. Seth Patrick returned from suspension, whilst Michael Cruickshank, Scott Logan and Dayle Robertson also came into the starting lineup.

City had started the game relatively well and on 4 minutes, a fine passing move down the right hand side released Moreland who provided the cut-back which was intercepted by the home defence. A minute later, Loudon forced a corner off Easton but McHattie’s delivery was too heavy for McKay at the back post.

On 14 minutes, former City loanee Scott Shepherd engineered some space on the edge of the box before shooting straight at Wilson, before the home side opened the scoring barely a minute later. A cross whipped in from the right found LIAM NEWTON who powered a header beyond the City keeper.

City’s best chance of the half arrived on 21 minutes when a powerful left footed strike from Robertson was palmed away by McFarlane. Shortly after, McHattie drilled a 20 yard free kick against the wall before Patrick blazed the rebound well over.

Despite this promising spell, it was the Fifers who doubled the advantage midway through the half. A right sided cross from Peggie seemed to evade everyone inside the box and although the ball looked to be sneaking into the net, NATHAN AUSTIN made sure as he bundled in at the back post.

Dick Campbell’s side certainly had their tails up at this stage and Wilson made two fine saves with his feet to deny Austin and just after the half hour mark, a low cross from the striker flashed across the face of goal with Shepherd just unable to connect.

Five minutes before the break, the game was more or less over as a contest as City conceded a third goal in calamitous circumstances. They were unable to clear their lines following a corner and as the ball was headed back into the danger area, some miscommunication saw Wilson completely miss the ball which fell for SCOTT SHEPHERD who had the easy task of slotting into the empty net.

Following a disappointing first half, Manager Patrick Cregg made a change with Ewan Loudon making way for Craig Tosh.

However, within 60 seconds of the restart East Fife extended their lead when Newton’s cross was met by NATHAN AUSTIN who guided his header beyond Wilson for his second of the evening.

At this stage the scoreline threatened to get really ugly for City, however a combination of the defence tightening up and East Fife perhaps taking their foot off the gas a bit meant they couldn’t add more to their tally.

On 57 minutes Shepherd fired a long-range free kick over for the hosts whilst at the other end, substitute Anthony McDonald fired a free kick at the wall before McHattie thumped the rebound over.

City were desperately unlucky not to pull a goal back on 72 minutes when a ball over the top from Logan found Robertson in behind the defence but just as he got his shot away, Brian Easton did supremely well to get back and block. Just a minute later, Craig Tosh fired a shot wide of goal.

In the final quarter of an hour, East Fife started to step things up again as they chased a fifth goal. A strike from Healy found the side netting whilst summer signing Adam Laarif shot straight at Wilson from the edge of the box.

As the game entered stoppage time, a 20 yard free kick from Scott Shepherd was tipped over the bar by Wilson which proved to be the last action of the game.

Following 3 positive performances, it ultimately proved to be a frustrating end to the Premier Sports Cup for City however the main focus is now getting our league campaign off to a winning start at Keith on Saturday.