Match Report - By Steven Mew

City continued their fine start to the Highland League season by defeating defending Champions Buckie Thistle on their own patch yesterday afternoon.

Goals in each half from Spencer Moreland and in-form Dayle Robertson made it 7 wins from 8 for City as they kept their place at the top of the league.

Manager Patrick Cregg had to make do with numerous players with Ryan Ferguson, Marc Scott, Seth Patrick and Craig Tosh all unavailable. Spencer Moreland and Scott Logan came into the starting 11 as he made two changes from the side that defeated Deveronvale in midweek.

In front of a healthy travelling support at Victoria Park, it was City that had the first effort on goal as Scott Logan fired a shot straight at Mark Ridgers from the edge of the box.

Just before the quarter hour mark, the visitors got their noses in front. Ridgers was forced into a poor kickout which went only as far as Anthony McDonald and he teed up SPENCER MORELAND on the left hand side of the box and he supplied the finish into the far corner for his first goal of the season.

The Jags looked to get their way back into it with Lenny Wilson spilling a cross however the danger was averted as the City defence cleared their lines and on 35 minutes, Ryan Fyffe’s flick at the near post was diverted wide.

City finished the first half strongly with Moreland shooting over from range, before a deflected strike from Loudon was deflected into the arms of Ridgers.

Within 15 seconds of kick off in the second half, Euan Spark was penalised for a challenge on Josh Peters right on the edge of the box, despite the City skipper appearing to win the ball. The free kick from Jack Maciver looked destined for the top corner, however Lenny Wilson made a simply outstanding save to keep it out.

On 55 minutes a fine one-touch passing move around the box saw City force a corner which was fumbled by Ridgers, but the ball was headed away just before Ewan Loudon could take advantage. Just a minute later, a volley from Dayle Robertson 10 yards out cannoned off the post.

City kept pressing and just before the hour mark they were awarded a penalty when Ewan Loudon went down under the challenge of Darryl McHardy inside the box. After converting a penalty in each of the last two games, DAYLE ROBERTSON stepped up and sent Ridgers the wrong way with his spot kick to give City some breathing space.

Many would have expected Buckie to throw everything at City in an attempt to get back into the game but in truth it was City that looked far more likely to add to their advantage.

On 63 minutes Ridgers was quick off his line to deny Loudon after McDonald had dinked a ball through and seconds later, Loudon had a shot blocked inside the box.

Loudon was looking menacing and he was denied again a couple of minutes later when Ridgers saved with his feet to keep out a powerful effort at the near post.

With 4 minutes remaining, City had a glorious chance to put the icing on the cake as Ewan Loudon wriggled free from Innes McKay and he bore down on goal before placing his shot just inches wide of the target.

Ruari Henry, who had replaced the hard-working Scott Logan, was lively late on and he engineered some space inside the box in the closing stages but saw his strike charged down.

Overall, a thoroughly deserved win for City against a Jags outfit that won both meetings between the sides last season. Next up is a home fixture against bottom side Strathspey Thistle next Saturday.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Brora Rangers 3 Inverurie Locos 0

Deveronvale 1 Clachnacuddin 3

Formartine United 4 Keith 1

Forres Mechanics 1 Nairn County 1

Huntly 3 Rothes 1

Strathspey Thistle 3 Lossiemouth 0

Turriff United 1 Fraserburgh 1

Wick Academy 1 Banks O' Dee 6