Match Report - By Steven Mew

City moved back to the Highland League summit thanks to a brace from in-form striker Dayle Robertson but it was far from straight forward against a plucky Deveronvale side yesterday evening.

Although City were deserving of the win, the visitors certainly caused problems throughout and were brave both in and out of possession which made it difficult for Patrick Cregg’s men.

The City boss made two changes from the side that recorded a comfortable win against Wick atg the weekend with Anthony McDonald and Marc Scott coming into the side at the expense of Spencer Moreland and Craig Tosh.

Facing towards the Cemetery End first half, some quick thinking created the first opportunity for City in the 8th minute. McDonald played a quick free kick to Macleod who played a neat pass in behind the defence for Loudon to latch on to but the keeper did well to save at his feet.

From the resulting corner swung in by McDonald, there were shouts for a penalty when the ball appeared to come off the hand of Hermiston but referee Greg Soutar felt they were in a natural position.

Just a minute later, Robertson headed a McDonald corner against the crossbar and shortly after, Robertson sent Macleod clean through on goal but his dinked effort beyond the keeper went just over the crossbar.

The home side really should have been ahead at this stage but they were given another opportunity on the quarter hour mark when Macleod was fouled inside the box by Murray Esson. DAYLE ROBERTSON stepped up and smashed the ball confidently in the bottom corner to give City a deserved lead.

Not to be downhearted by going behind, the visitors had a good spell midway through the first half and McHattie had to be alert to clear a cross away from the lurking Hermiston and shortly after, a counter attacking move saw Mitchell have a shot blocked.

On 27 minutes McDonald struck the inside of the post from the edge of the box for City, however the linesman had already given offside and a minute later, Robertson produced a fine save from Hopkinson in the Vale goal however again the linesman had his flag up.

McDonald was showing some real quality on the ball and he played Loudon in down the left hand side of the box on 33 minutes but his shot went inches wide of the far post.

Into the second half, City started well and within the opening minute Loudon came inside from the left and teed up Robertson on the edge of the box but his strike was deflected wide for a corner.

Two minutes later City had the ball in the net when Macleod played a neat flick through for Robertson who finished beyond the keeper, however he had strayed just offside.

On 51 minutes, away skipper Harry Noble fired a 25 yard free kick well over after McHattie had fouled the impressive Mitchell as he burst forward.

Scott and Patrick both had shots blocked for City, before McDonald curled a free kick over after he had been fouled just outside the box.

There was a real let-off for City on the hour mark when a cross from Noble was spilled by Wilson and with the goal at his mercy, Hermiston somehow knocked the ball wide of the near post.

On 62 minutes, a free kick from McDonald was headed into the keepers arms by McKay and at the other end, Wilson had to be alert to keep out Mitchell at his near post after a looping cross had been misjudged by McHattie.

With the visitors looking threatening on the break, City needed a second goal to give themselves some breathing space and it arrived with quarter of an hour remaining. A strike from substitute Moreland from the edge of the box was parried by the keeper only as far as DAYLE ROBERTSON who converted from close range to make it 5 goals in 2 games.

With 7 minutes remaining, Martin headed against the post for City whilst Robertson came close to grabbing back-to-back hat-tricks when he just couldn’t connect with an inviting cross from Tosh.

Tosh, who impressed after coming on as a substitute came close himself a minute later when his left-footed strike from the edge of the box was pushed away by Hopkinson.

The game ended 2-0 and although City didn’t quite reach the levels that they have in previous weeks, the most important thing was the 3 points and clean sheet ahead of a crucial trip to face Buckie Thistle on Saturday.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 2 Huntly 3

Brechin City 2 Deveronvale 0

Buckie Thistle 8 Strathspey Thistle 2

Clachnacuddin 7 Wick Academy 0

Inverurie Locos 4 Turriff United 0

Keith 4 Forres Mechanics 0

Lossiemouth 0 Formartine United 2