Match Report - By Steven Mew

Following a disappointing start to the competitive season in the Betfred Cup, City’s hopes of a clean slate in the league were emphatically dashed as Edinburgh City ran out convincing winners at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

Albeit against a side that will fancy a promotion charge along with full timers Queens Park this season, the manner in which City heads went down against the Citizens will be of considerable concern.

Manager Mark Wilson freshened up his side with six changes from the midweek defeat against Peterhead, opting to go with the same set-up which saw an improved second half performance against the Blue Toon.

The opening exchanges saw the visitors take control from the off with McMinn pushing away a shot from Blair Henderson within the opening minute.

Five minutes later Raffaele De Vita beat Jonathan Page to a loose ball inside the box but the on-loan Livingston forward dragged his shot wide of the target.

On the quarter hour mark a cross from Dave McKay almost caught out Calum Antell who had to tip over the bar. Shortly afterwards, McKay floated a ball into the box which was headed over by Jimmy Scott, although the City man had already been flagged for offside.

On 18 minutes McMinn gathered a stinging effort from Handling at the second attempt whilst at the other end, the ball fell for Makovora on the edge of the box but he couldn’t keep his volley down. Matty Todd was next to threaten for the hosts when his strike from range was comfortably gathered by Antell.

The visitors went on to open the scoring seven minutes before the break. Blair Henderson had a shot blocked before Josh Campbell’s rebound was deflected over. From the resulting corner, CONRAD BALATONI darted away from his marker to guide a powerful header into the far corner.

Manager Mark Wilson made a change at half time with Michael Paton replacing Leeroy Makovora.

The second half would get off to the poor start for City as they found themselves two goals down just a minute after the restart. Danny Handling latched onto a knockdown in the box and laid it on a plate for LIAM BROWN to slot low into the corner.

Back came City however as they halved the deficit barely a minute later. Michael Paton was denied by the feet of Antell but the ball broke for Rory Currie who guided it back into the danger area for JIMMY SCOTT to force over the line.

The Citizens went on to restore their two goal advantage from the penalty spot on 55 minutes when Balatoni went down under the challenge of Inglis in the box. BLAIR HENDERSON stepped up to take and confidently dispatched low into the net, sending McMinn the wrong way.

City were again unable to show some of the attacking qualities that they had displayed in pre-season but did have a brief rally shortly before the hour mark. A powerful long range effort from Inglis produced a terrific save from Antell and shortly after, Jimmy Scott had the ball in the net after a Paton shot had been parried into his path however it was ruled out for a marginal offside.

The visitors gained control again with De Vita side-footing a volley over the crossbar before substitute Ouzy See was afforded a glorious opportunity from a few yards out but could only guide his header straight at McMinn.

Edinburgh put the game beyond any doubt with a spectacular 4th goal on 78 minutes. On-loan Hibernian midfielder JOSH CAMPBELL received the ball 20 yards from goal and let fly with a splendid strike which curled and dipped on its way into the top corner, giving the City keeper no chance.

This simply knocked the stuffing out of City as the visitors rounded off the scoring just four minutes later. A cross from the right found DANNY JARDINE at the back post and he stooped to conquer with a diving header.