Match Report - By Steven Mew

City put in a strong performance to fight back from a goal down to earn a crucial three points against Banks O’ Dee yesterday evening.

It was a thoroughly impressive showing from Patrick Cregg’s men, particularly in the second half, to defeat a side widely tipped to challenge at the top of the league this season.

The City Manager made 3 changes from the side that defeated Wick narrowly at the weekend, with Kevin McHattie, Spencer Moreland and Marc Scott, who became a father last week, coming into the starting 11.

In front of a large travelling contingent at Spain Park, City were the first to threaten on 5 minutes when Dayle Robertson got behind the defence and his low cross was intercepted by home keeper Daniel Hoban.

Almost immediately at the other end, Lenny Wilson had to be alert to keep out an effort from Alasdair Stark before the danger was cleared by Fraser Macleod.

It was certainly a lively start with Loudon just failing to connect properly from Macleod’s ball into the box and another delivery from Scott just a minute later was headed narrowly over by Robertson.

Perhaps against the run of play, the home side got their noses in front on 12 minutes. A corner into the box wasn’t dealt with by the City defence and an overhead kick from Andrew Hunter was diverted into the net by the unfortunate MARC SCOTT as he attempted to clear.

City weren’t behind for long and they restored parity just 7 minutes later. FRASER MACLEOD advanced forward with the ball from midfield and let fly with a deflected effort from 25 yards which squirmed under the body of Hoban and into the net.

On 33 minutes a terrific ball from Robertson found Loudon lurking at the far side of the box but his effort come back off the far post.

Dayle Robertson was evidently struggling with an injury towards the end of the first half and we was replaced by Craig Tosh at the break. It was Tosh who was first to threaten in the second period when he very nearly latched on to a through ball from Macleod but Hoban was out quickly to deny.

Two minutes later, Ewan Loudon had former City man Nathan Cooney beaten for pace and appeared to be dragged down on the edge of the box by the defender, however much to the disbelief of the City support the referee waved away the claims.

Another former City player in the shape of Liam Duell fired a shot over for the hosts, whilst Lachie Macleod sliced a shot well wide of the near post.

With 57 minutes on the clock City took the lead. Ewan Loudon did supremely well to turn his man inside the box and he laid the ball off for FRASER MACLEOD who managed to curl a low shot into the bottom corner.

The confidence was really starting to flow for City with the impressive Spencer Moreland having a shot blocked before a powerful volley from Macleod was also charged down by the Banks O’ Dee defence.

City doubled their advantage on 69 minutes when Macleod lobbed a ball over the top for EWAN LOUDON to chase on to and he showed great strength to nudge a defender off balance before unleashing a blistering volley high into the net to send the City support into raptures.

Even with over 20 minutes to play, there was little doubt over where the points were heading and the hosts never really looked like getting themselves back into the game with City looking the more likely to add to their advantage.

Kevin McHattie flashed a shot wide from range before a bursting run from Loudon saw him play the ball in to Patrick who in turn laid the ball off for Tosh who could only shoot straight at the keeper.

Fraser Macleod, who was arguably man of the match with two goals and an all-round excellent performance, was evidently enjoying himself as he breezed past two home players before supplying the pass for Loudon who curled wide of the far post on his left foot.

As the game approached stoppage time, Loudon very nearly had his second when he skipped past a challenge on his way into the box but his low strike was kept out by the feet of Hoban.

The result saw City maintain their 4 point lead at the top over Brora Rangers who have a game in hand, whilst extending the advantage over Banks O' Dee to 11 points.

City will return to the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park on Saturday as we play host to Rothes with a 3pm kick off.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 1 Brechin City 3

Brora Rangers 5 Wick Academy 0

Clachnacuddin 2 Strathspey Thistle 0

Huntly 3 Forres Mechanics 4

Inverurie Locos 4 Lossiemouth 0

Nairn County 2 Keith 0

Rothes 0 Buckie Thistle 3

Turriff United 0 Deveronvale 2