Match Report - By Steven Mew

City's hopes of ending 2018 on a high were dashed by Jim Weir's Forfar side at Station Park yesterday afternoon.

In what was a fairly even game in terms of possession and chances, Manager Barry Smith was yet again lamenting individual mistakes which contributed to City's downfall.

Goalkeeper Paddy O'Neil was given his chance to shine between the sticks as he replaced regular number one Conor Brennan in goal, whilst Callum Hendry took the place of Callum Tapping who fractured his ankle in the defeat at Airdrieonians last week.

After an uneventful opening 10 minutes, City were first to threaten when Aron Lynas played in Jordan Sinclair but his effort went wide of the goal.

The home side opened the scoring with their first sniff of goal after 19 minutes. Giuliano Morena was caught in possession by Dale Hilson - he lobbed a ball over the top for JOHN BAIRD who dinked the ball past Lynas before slotting past O'Neil in the City goal.

Clearly full of confidence after opening the scoring, Baird then tried his luck with a speculative from the half way line which sailed wide of goal. Shortly before the half hour mark, Baird came close again when his lob had O'Neil beaten but ended just past the post.

At the other end, Kalvin Orsi latched on to a loose ball in midfield before lashing a half volley straight at McCallum in goal. Two minutes later, Forfar won a free kick 25 yards out but Dale Hilson's effort didn't trouble O'Neil.

City started the second half brightly with Dougie Hill stinging the hands of McCallum with a 30 yard drive and shortly after, Jordan Tapping headed straight at the keeper from Morena's free kick.

The home side came back into it again - a cross to the back post was met by Jamie Bain but his downwards header bounced straight into the grateful arms of O'Neil.

The Loons were awarded a penalty in the 57th minute after Sean Burns was adjudged to have bundled over Dylan Easton inside the 6 yard box. DALE HILSON stepped up confidently and dispatched the spot kick, sending O'Neil the wrong way.

City pushed forward for a route back into the game with Jackson curling an effort over the bar whilst Hendry headed narrowly wide from a corner.

The best chance of the game for City arrived 20 minutes from time when an acrobatic volley from Andy Jackson was clawed away superbly by McCallum for a corner.

With five minutes remaining Sean Burns nearly bundled home a cross from Euan Spark but fortunately for McCallum in the Forfar goal, the ball rebounded straight off him.

Ultimately it proved a disappointing end to what has been a hugely challenging year for the club. It's now time to look forward to what will hopefully be a far more fruitful 2019, starting with a trip to face a local derby against league leaders Arbroath on January 5th.

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