Match Report - By Grant Hood

A FAMILIAR STORY - IT'S RORY'S GLORY

Three sublime strikes from former City striker Rory McAllister, combined with victories for both Forfar Athletic and Cowdenbeath sees the Glebe Park side further isolated at the foot of Ladbrokes League One in the ongoing quest to retain SPFL third tier status.

A debut strike from Airdrieonians loanee Liam Watt brought City back into the game at 2-1 for a time, before Rory's hat-trick clincher and a subsequent goal in added-on time from Shane Sutherland put a finishing gloss on an impressive performance from one of the leagues' in-form sides.

City made 2 changes to the opening line-up which lost heavily at Albion Rovers only 4 days prior, with Darren McCormack re-instated to the back four allowing Paul McLean to return to right back and Gary Fusco to midfield. This saw Jamie Montgomery return to the bench and an injury-forced withdrawal from the squad for striker Andy Jackson. On the plus side, the City travelling fans were keen to see a debut from Airdrieonians loanee Liam Watt, who had signed for The Club 24 hours before.

The match kicked off in weather conditions as good as could ever be expected in North East Scotland in February, with glorious sunshine and no wind to unduly influence proceedings.

Not for the first time, Rory McAllister would end the match by grabbing the sportswriters’ headlines, although his day didn’t start well when he received a caution for simulation within 4 minutes after finding himself one-on-one against City keeper, Graeme Smith.

After 25minutes Peterhead went ahead. Paul McLean saw his forward pass intercepted, with the result that Shane Sutherland drove forward towards goal. Drawing the attention of the City defence, he slotted a pass to RORY McALLISTER who, as one would expect of the in-form striker, confidently stroked the ball home for the opener.

Right on half-time came a sickening blow for City. Gary Fusco was harshly penalised for a sliding challenge at the edge of the box. The decision caused upset in the City ranks, as a yellow card followed – that being in stark contrast to the numerous un-punished but hugely more cynical midfield fouls conceded regularly by the home side.
Worse was to follow for The Glebe Park side. After his initial strike was blocked by the City wall, the ball rebounded kindly for RORY McALLISTER who had a second blast, and this time made a wonderful connection which saw the ball fizz past ‘Buzz’ into the top left corner.

Darren Dods’ side pulled a goal back on 64 minutes. A series of passes saw play shift across field from the right and debutant LIAM WATT let the ball come across his body before dispatching a first time left foot shot into the corner of the net low past home keeper Graeme Smith from the edge of the penalty area.

For 10 minutes or so, City rallied and both goalkeepers somewhat surprisingly spilt balls which neither set of attackers were able to capitalise upon. However, with 15 minutes left, the Blue Toon secured the points in the simplest of fashion. A long through ball was headed on in midfield and it saw Aberdeen loanee Lukas Culjak outpaced by RORY McALLISTER who deftly clipped the ball past the onrushing ‘Buzz’, before reeling away to celebrate his third hat-trick of the season.

Sadly for City, that was pretty much that. Just as the clock ticked past 90 minutes, the home side grabbed a fourth to give the scoreline a slightly more convincing feel to it than it perhaps merited. Substitute Jamie Montgomery surrendered possession inside the homesters' half and one pass later Peterhead’s No 10 SHANE SUTHERLAND found himself racing forward clean through on goal. The former Inverness Caley Thistle and Elgin City frontman competently dispatched the ball past ‘Buzz’.

Another worrying development for City fans, was the departure through injury of two of the Glebe Parkers’ more influential players on the day – loanees Lewis Spence and Liam Watt – who, along with Andy Jackson will be given every chance to prove their fitness prior to Tuesday’s crucial clash against fellow relegation strugglers and county rivals Forfar Athletic.

Other Results - Ladbrokes League One

Airdrieonians 0 Ayr United 1

Crucial away win for the Honest Men

Dunfermline Athletic 6 Stranraer 1

Cardle Hat-Trick highlight in convincing home win for The Pars

Forfar Athletic 1 Albion Rovers 0

Late, late winner secures vital 3 points for The Loons

Stenhousemuir 2 Cowdenbeath 3

Blue Brazil win 5-goal thriller at Ochilview