Match Report - By Steven Mew

It was seventh heaven for City in the sunshine yesterday afternoon as they put Strathspey Thistle to the sword at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park.

City defied the energy-sapping conditions to put in a strong performance which ensured they stayed top of the Highland League, with Dayle Robertson netting his second hat-trick in the space of a fortnight.

Goalkeeper Isaac Carmody was handed his first start between the sticks, whilst Michael Cruickshank and Marc Scott came into the starting 11 from last weekend.

The first opportunity arrived in the 4th minute when Spencer Moreland’s shot deflected off Anthony McDonald for a goal kick, before Brad McKay saw his header cleared off the line shortly after.

Ewan Loudon headed narrowly wide of the post from Marc Scott’s cross, with Dayle Robertson flicking a header at the keeper from Anthony McDonald’s free kick a minute later.

City’s early pressure eventually paid off just before the quarter hour mark. McDonald’s corner into the box was met by a downwards header from LEWIS MARTIN which bounced up into the net.

Good link up play between McDonald and Robertson on 20 minutes created an opening but the latter just failed to direct his effort on target, before Loudon shot over from range a few minutes later.

With 28 minutes on the clock, City doubled their advantage when McDonald’s low strike on the edge of the box took a slight touch off DAYLE ROBERTSON on its way into the corner and needless to say the big striker was claiming it.

Six minutes before the break, Loudon had the beating of his man down the left before providing a cross for Robertson who chested onto the post. Just seconds later, Martin guided a volley right across the face of goal which went just inches wide of the far post.

City kept pressing just before the break with McDonald playing a ball in for Loudon who screwed wide of the post whilst Martin headed wide from a corner.

City went in at the break with a two-goal advantage but will have felt it should have probably been more.

Craig Tosh replaced Brad McKay at the break as Patrick Cregg pushed more men forward and Tosh was first to threaten in the second period when his rasping volley from the edge of the box zipped just inches over the crossbar.

The third goal arrived in the 54th minute – Loudon’s powerful strike was pushed out by Storrier in the Strathspey goal and as Marc Scott and DAYLE ROBERTSON attacked the loose ball, it bobbled off the fortunate Robertson and across the line.

MARC SCOTT had the ball in the net three minutes later when he lobbed the keeper from 20 yards but the linesman had his flag up for offside. He was not to be denied a minute later as he extended the advantage – Loudon’s angled strike looked to be heading into the far corner but ‘Marco’ made sure by tapping in from a yard out.

City were firing on all cylinders at this stage and they made it 5-0 just after the hour mark. Tosh played a neat ball in behind the defence for Macleod to latch on to and his low ball into the danger area found DAYLE ROBERTSON to convert from close range for his hat-trick.

EWAN LOUDON had put in a power of work all game down the left hand side and he got in on the act with the sixth goal on 73 minutes. The impressive Tosh made a great run down the right hand side of the box and he fired in a low cross into the box for Loudon to smash high into the net.

With quarter of an hour remaining, Isaac Carmody was called into the action for the first time when he got down to gather a low shot from Lewis Mackie. Three minutes later, the big keeper had to be alert again to keep out a header from Kieran Duffty.

City rounded off the scoring with three minutes left. Substitute Ross Milne did well to win possession back inside the penalty area and the ball fell kindly for EWAN LOUDON who turned and drilled a low shot into the corner.

The home side continued to threaten in the dying minutes with Macleod denied by the keeper at the near post whilst Loudon had a free kick blocked from the edge of the box after Henry had been fouled.

Overall a satisfying afternoon for City as they maintained their unbeaten start to the season whilst boosting the goal difference in the process. It’s another home fixture next week as Wick Academy make the long journey to the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 1 Deveronvale 0

Clachnacuddin 0 Buckie Thistle 2

Fraserburgh 2 Brora Rangers 3

Inverurie Locos 4 Forres Mechanics 1

Keith 0 Lossiemouth 4

Nairn County 1 Formartine United 1

Rothes 2 Wick Academy 3

Turriff United 2 Huntly 3