Match Report - By Steven Mew

City returned to winning ways as a strong second half showing saw Andy Kirk’s men cruise to victory over Huntly at Christie Park yesterday afternoon.

Following a disappointing result against Brora Rangers in the Highland League Cup in midweek, Kirk rang the changes with Iain Ross, Iain Davidson, Michael Cruickshank, Michael Paton and Julian Wade all coming into the side.

With the wind behind them, Huntly were inches away from taking the lead after just 4 minutes when Greg Buchan struck the post following a cutback.

City’s first chance arrived on the quarter hour mark when Mackintosh’s cross found Cox in the penalty area but his effort went wide. Shortly after, Wade was next to threaten when he was denied by Storrier from point blank range.

There was a let off for City after 32 minutes when a defensive lapse allowed Andrew Hunter in on goal but Iain Ross did superbly well to deny the Huntly forward with a fine save.

Almost immediately up at the other end, a corner fell for Thomson at the back post and he fired a low ball across the face of goal which Wade was just unable to connect with.

Shortly before half time, a long range effort from on-loan Aberdeen midfielder Jack MacIver produced an excellent save from Ross as the sides went in level at the break.

Shooting down the slope and with the wind now in City’s favour, there was optimism that City would take full advantage of this in the second half and it didn’t take long for them to break the deadlock.

Barely two minutes after the restart, Bain got to the byline down the right hand side and whipped a cross in for DAVID COX who had the easy task of converting from a few yards out to give City the lead.

It could have easily been a quickfire double for City as Mackintosh scampered into the box and despite his shirt being pulled, he managed to tee up Wade who blazed over the bar.

The home side certainly weren’t without their chances, with Ross saving low to deny Robbie Foster and seven minutes later, Alexander Thoirs shot wide from range.

With 57 minutes on the clock, City got the all-important second goal and again Bain was the architect. The City full back whipped in an inviting cross for DAVID COX to glance a header goalwards and although the keeper got a hand to it, he was unable to keep it out. The goal saw ‘Coxy’ move onto 12 for the season, level with Marc Scott at the top of City’s scoring charts.

Midway through the half, Layton Bisland and Marc Scott came on to replace defenders Hamish Thomson and Kevin McHattie as City looked to add to their advantage.

With eight minutes remaining, City rounded off the scoring with a third goal. A low cross into the box resulted in a scamble on the line, and as the ball was forced over it was MICHAEL PATON who wheeled away in celebration claiming the goal.

The home side continued to fight for a consolation goal and it very nearly came when Robbie Foster broke clear of the City defence on 85 minutes, but just as he pulled the trigger Jamie Bain made an outstanding block to deny the former Fort William man.

Overall, a welcome win and clean sheet for City following consecutive defeats. The games continue to come thick and fast with a trip to face Keith at Kynoch Park on Wednesday (8pm kick off).