Match Report - By Steven Mew

City continued their winning start to the season but were certainly made to work for it against a stubborn Deveronvale side at Princess Royal Park yesterday afternoon.

Following a relatively flat first half which included a penalty miss from Kieran Inglis, City stepped up a gear later in the second period to ensure all three points returned back south to Brechin.

After a tough shift against Hibernian B in midweek, Manager Andy Kirk freshened up his side with 3 changes. Iain Davidson, Kieran Inglis and Ewan Loudon all came in with Euan Spark, Fraser MacLeod and Grady McGrath dropping to the bench.

With the haar rolling in from the north coast, City were first to threaten after 4 minutes when Ewan Loudon produced a fine save from Sean McIntosh in the home goal.

Just several minutes later, City were given the perfect opportunity to put themselves ahead after referee Darren Munro pointed to the spot following an infringement in the box at a corner. After netting the winning penalty against Hibernian B on Wednesday, Kieran Inglis stepped up to take but saw his spot kick saved down low by McIntosh.

On 11 minutes Ewan Loudon was afforded some space on the right hand side of the box but the young striker fired high against the side netting when a cutback may have been a better option.

The home sides’ first opportunity arrived on 18 minutes when a debatable free kick saw Aaron Hamilton head over from MacKillop-Hall’s delivery into the box.

Midway through the half Jordan Northcott, most likely the smallest player on the field came close to opening the scoring with a downwards header which McIntosh showed great reflexes to push the ball over the bar.

City continued to look for that elusive opening goal with Loudon heading wide from Scott’s cross, whilst at the other end striker Dane Ballard fired over the bar from range before Lenny Wilson produced a fine save at his near post three minutes later.

Shortly before the break, Kevin McHattie looked for a repeat of his strike against Forres Mechanics a couple of weeks back but his effort from 25 yards struck the goal stanction. On the stroke of half time, Jordan Northcott won a free kick on the edge of the box but Jamie Bain’s curling effort flew harmlessly over.

Andy Kirk make a change at the interval with Grady McGrath replacing Ewan Loudon upfront.

In a slow start to the second half, Kieran Inglis was issued a yellow card after he was adjudged to have dived in the box.

Around the hour mark City started to turn on the style. Marc Scott was denied by a fine save and from the rebound, Grady McGrath’s goalbound effort was blocked by the home defence.

With 66 minutes on the clock City eventually broke the deadlock much to the relief of the healthy travelling support in attendance. Fraser MacLeod, who had replaced Iain Davidson just minutes prior, burst forward with the ball and released McGrath down the left who fired across the face of goal for MARC SCOTT to bundle home.

It only took five minutes before City doubled the advantage through SETH PATRICK who netted his first City goal. It was certainly worth the wait as the midfielder unleashed a rasping 25 yard strike which arrowed into the bottom corner.

City were hungry for more and Kieran Inglis had a shot saved and a minute later, Grady McGrath had a strike deflected for a corner.

With less than quarter of an hour remaining, the home side were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty for another infringement spotted by the referee in the box. In a similar fashion to the last visit at Banff last season, DANE BALLARD converted the spot kick despite Wilson guessing the right way.

The Vale’s hopes of grabbing something from the game were given a hammer blow after 79 minutes when Horace Ormsby was given his marching orders for an off the ball incident following a challenge.

Looking to make the most of the man advantage and to put the game beyond doubt, City piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

Cammie Ross, who had replaced Kieran Inglis came close when his header was saved by the feet of McIntosh and the Vale keeper was called into action again to push over McGrath’s angled effort.

City made sure of the 3 points with four minutes remaining. Marc Scott got to the byline before pulling the back for JORDAN NORTHCOTT who found the net with the aid of a deflection.

City looked to add to their advantage in the closing stages, with Marc Scott heading against the bar whilst Northcott was denied by the keeper after he had fumbled a cross.

Into stoppage time, McGrath played Cruickshank in on goal but his powerful strike cannoned off the outside of the post.

Overall, another deserved win for City against a stuffy Deveronvale outfit with some players afforded a rest ahead of a huge league fixture against Buckie Thistle at Glebe Park next Saturday.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Brora Rangers 3 Banks O' Dee 0

Buckie Thistle 8 Strathspey Thistle 0

Formartine United 3 Nairn County 1

Huntly 1 Rothes 1

Inverurie Locos 0 Forres Mechanics 1

Keith 2 Clachnacuddin 1

Lossiemouth 0 Fraserburgh 7

Wick Academy 2 Turriff United 0