Match Report - By Steven Mew

Second half goals from Ewan Loudon and Dayle Robertson helped City maintain their 100% start to the Highland League campaign with victory over Inverurie Locos.

City had dominated for long spells of the game but just lacked that cutting edge during a first half which saw Ewan Loudon miss a penalty. However they continued to push in the second half and got their just deserts, with Loudon making amends for his spot kick and Robertson grabbing his third goal in as many games.

Manager Patrick Cregg made one change from Saturday’s 3-0 win over Nairn County at Station Park with Ryan Ferguson coming in for Seth Patrick.

It was the visitors that should have taken the lead within the opening two minutes – a lapse in the City defence allowed Callum Duncan the opportunity but Lenny Wilson did well to divert his effort wide.

City responded with Lewis Martin heading wide from Anthony McDonald’s cross and two minutes later, a cross from Scott found McDonald in the box but he was unable to divert his header goalwards.

Macleod and McHattie both tried their luck from range, before Ryan Ferguson’s match was cut short with a hamstring injury on 16 minutes – he was replaced by Seth Patrick.

Midway through the half, a snapshot from Robertson on the edge of the box was tipped round the post by Zack Ellis in the Inverurie goal.

With 27 minutes on the clock, City were handed a great opportunity to put themselves in front when MacLeod went down under the challenge of Mark Souter inside the box and referee Scott Leslie had little hesitation in pointing to the spot. Ewan Loudon stepped up to take, but he fired his penalty wide of the target.

Macleod was lively in the heart of the City midfield and he volleyed over from close range after Loudon had knocked down a right sided cross from Scott. Five minutes later, Macleod tried his luck again with a curling effort from 20 yards which whistled past the post.

Four minutes before the break, Loudon cut inside from the left before his powerful strike was blocked and on the stroke of half time, he darted forward from midfield before his shot again was charged down by the hard-working Inverurie defence.

Into the second half, City kept probing but were unable to create any clear-cut chances until EWAN LOUDON broke the deadlock on 58 minutes. He took advantage of some hesitant defending to intercept a header over the top from Brad McKay before unleashing a vicious strike into the corner, with the Inverurie rearguard claiming for handball in the lead up.

Two minutes later it took some last ditch defending from Inverurie to clear following a stramash in the box before McHattie saw his shot blocked.

In the 67th minute City got the all important second goal. A cross from Loudon from the right hand side was flicked by Moreland onto DAYLE ROBERTSON who managed to get enough on the ball to divert into the far corner for his 3rd goal in as many games.

With 15 minutes remaining, Spark swung in a cross for substitute Scott Logan whose header was blocked, with City players claiming it came off the arm of an Inverurie defender.

Barely 60 seconds later, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Reuben Skea, who had only been introduced as a substitute just 8 minutes prior, received his second booking for a late challenge on Martin.

With the man advantage, City continued to pile on the pressure and they very nearly found a third just a minute after the sending off. A shot in the box was deflected into the path of substitute Ruari Henry a few yards out but he couldn’t sort his feet out to get the shot away.

Zack Ellis got down well to save Loudon’s left-footed effort from the edge of the box and four minutes from time, a well-worked corner routine ended with Moreland hitting the side netting.

Overall it was another thoroughly deserved victory for a City side who continue to earn plenty of plaudits for their high intensity and plenty of attacking intent throughout the 90 minutes. Next up is a tough trip to face Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park on Saturday, 3pm kick off.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Buckie Thistle 1 Fraserburgh 3

Clachnacuddin 0 Nairn County 2

Deveronvale 2 Huntly 2

Formartine United 1 Turriff United 2

Forres Mechanics 1 Brora Rangers 4

Keith 1 Banks O' Dee 2

Lossiemouth 3 Rothes 2

Wick Academy 2 Strathspey Thistle 1