Match Report - By Steven Mew

City picked up another crucial three points against Rothes at a rain-sodden Mackessack Park yesterday evening, with Julian Wade’s second half header proving to be the difference.

After netting 14 goals in the previous 3 games, this was an entirely different challenge for City against a strong outfit at a notoriously difficult venue.

After hobbling off at the weekend, both skipper Iain Davidson and Murray Mackintosh missed out through injury whilst Michael Cruickshank dropped to the bench. Kieran Inglis, Layton Bisland and Ewan Loudon all came in to the side.

City were the first to threaten within 2 minutes when Jamie Bain’s free kick found Hamish Thomson at the back post but he was unable to guide his stooping header goalwards.

On 12 minutes the home side had their first opportunity when a corner was headed towards goal by Ryan McRitchie, however Iain Ross was equal to it.

Almost immediately at the other end, David Cox teed up Ewan Loudon on the edge of the box but the youngster saw his effort fly over.

After being forced into two first half substitutes at the weekend, City’s injury woes continued as Kieran Inglis limped off shortly after the quarter hour mark. Julian Wade took his place as Andy Kirk reshuffled his side with Jordan Northcott moving into a left wing back position.

Following a quiet period, the game sparked to life again shortly before the half hour mark when Allan Mackenzie headed wide at the back post for the hosts,

A minute later Seth Patrick, who put in another tireless performance in the heart of midfield, fired wide from range.

The game went from end to end and the home side came closest to opening the scoring when Greg Morrison got in behind the defence and he dinked the ball beyond Ross in the City goal, however Hamish Thomson was on hand to clear the ball to safety.

A couple of minutes later City had a glorious opportunity of their own. Sean McCarthy made a fine save to keep out a header from Julian Wade and the resulting defensive clearance almost rebounded off ‘Juju’ and into the net.

The hosts enjoyed a good spell of pressure towards the end of the half with Ross tipping over a strike from Fraser Robertson and from the resulting corner, McRitchie headed onto the crossbar.

Eight minutes into the second period, a corner was cleared only as far as Seth Patrick on the edge of the box but his strike lacked conviction and flew wide.

The home side caused problems with their height from set pieces and Ben Johnstone, who had just come as a substitute, met a corner but Ross did well to get down to save from his header.

Shortly after the hour mark, City got the all important breakthrough and again it came from another excellent delivery from Jamie Bain. The full back whipped in an inviting cross for JULIAN WADE who bulleted a header beyond McCarthy.

On 74 minutes, Alan Pollock curled a free kick well over the bar following a foul by Seth Patrick on the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Ewan Loudon did likewise for City at the other end.

With 6 minutes remaining, City had Iain Ross to thank for keeping the scoreline level as he did superbly well to claw away a header before the ball was cleared to safety.

City had the opportunity to wrap the game up shortly after when Julian Wade broke clear of the defence and bore down on goal but he was denied by McCarthy at his near post.

The home side kept pushing in search of an equaliser and there was a couple of nervy goalmouth scambles in stoppage time, however City survived to take all 3 points back down the road.

With the top 3 all winning convincingly, City remain in 4th place. Next up for Andy Kirk’s men is a home fixture against Nairn County on Saturday.