Match Report - By Steven Mew

Goals in each half from top-scorer Grady McGrath and Fraser MacLeod saw City defeat Lossiemouth comfortably to advance to the semi finals of the Highland League Cup.

Missing no fewer than four players, Manager Andy Kirk was forced into some changes with young striker Ryan McInnes recalled from his loan spell at Broughty Athletic to take a place on the bench. Dean Easton continued to deputise for regular number one Lenny Wilson in the competition whilst Michael McArthur and Ewan Loudon also came into the starting 11.

Five minutes in, City conjured up the first real opportunity of the game when Scott teed up Bain on the edge of the box but he couldn’t keep his shot down. Five minutes later, McHattie attempted one of his trademark thunderbolts from range but his effort also flew over.

Chances were few and far between during a poor first half – the Coasters’ first real effort on goal arrived four minutes before the break as Easton comfortably gathered a long range effort from Kennedy.

Just as the game approached half time, City broke the deadlock through GRADY MCGRATH. The striker latched onto a pass inside the box and angled a powerful strike into the far corner to net for the 8th consecutive match.

Five minutes into the second half, City really should have doubled the advantage when a low cross from McGrath found Scott unmarked 8 yards from goal but he screwed his effort wide.

On 65 minutes, despite McHattie appearing to have been fouled in the build up, Ryan Stuart fired over the bar for the hosts. The City defender was given a yellow card by referee Gordon Seago for his protestations.

Two minutes later City got the all important second goal to effectively put the tie out of Lossies’ reach. FRASER MACLEOD showed some great footwork inside the box to turn his marker before firing low beyond Ross to double the advantage.

It could have been 3 on 74 minutes when Scott’s cross found McGrath in the penalty area but Ross did well to get his fingertips to the strike.

With quarter of an hour remaining, the introduction of Ryan McInnes for Marc Scott saw a tiring Coasters defence stretched further.

Michael McArthur, making just his second start for the club, fired over the bar from range before Inglis guided a header just wide of goal.

City kept pushing for another and McGrath was twice denied by the feet of Ross in the Lossie goal as he chased his second of the afternoon.

The home side rallied late on as they searched for their first goal against City in four matches with Easton pushing away a rasping effort from Ryan Farquhar.

Overall a comfortable afternoon for a City side who were perhaps not at their best, but did more than enough to progress to the semi finals where they will come up against either Inverurie Locos, Buckie Thistle or Banks O’Dee. The game also marked a first competitive clean sheet for Brechin-based goalkeeper Dean Easton.

Other Results - Highland League Cup Round 2

Banks O' Dee 3 Forres Mechanics 2

Formartine United 1 Buckie Thistle 3

Turriff United 0 Inverurie Locos 1