Match Report - By Steven Mew

City put in a fine performance to sweep aside Nairn County at Station Park yesterday afternoon to make it two wins from two in the Highland League.

At a venue where City have found it difficult in recent years, there was little doubt as to where the 3 points were heading and in truth the scoreline could have been even more convincing.

Kevin McHattie, Brad McKay, Fraser Macleod, Anthony McDonald and Ewan Loudon all came into the starting 11 from midweek with City travelling up to Nairn with a full squad at their disposal.

Within the opening 20 seconds, Marc Scott darted down the right hand side before sending a delivery into this box for Fraser MacLeod who couldn’t get the right connection on his strike.

City had been controlling possession and took the lead in the 17th minute. Anthony McDonald swung in a corner for DAYLE ROBERTSON to glance in his 2nd goal in as many games despite the best attempts of the goalkeeper Dylan McLean in the Nairn goal.

McDonald fired over the bar from just inside the box on 20 minutes, before City doubled the advantage seven minutes later. Robertson did well to draw a foul outside the box and ANTHONY MCDONALD found the net from the free kick with the aid of a deflection.

City were playing with real confidence and the game could have been more or less over as a contest on 32 minutes when Scott threaded a pass through for Robertson who struck the far post with his finish. Less than a minute later, a low ball in from Scott caused problems inside the box for the home defence before the ball was eventually cleared away.

Despite City’s dominance, they were given a scare when a long ball over the top caught out the defence and Jamie Williamson skipped past the advancing Lenny Wilson but skipper Euan Spark was on hand to clear the danger.

Lewis Martin shot over from 20 yards, before some great hold up play inside the box from Robertson set up a chance for Macleod who produced a good save from MacLean.

Robertson was causing no end of problems for the home rearguard and he would threaten again 3 minutes before half time when he headed narrowly over from Scott’s cross, with ‘Marco’ also having a go himself on the stroke of half time with a left footed strike which ended up over the bar.

City’s impressive first half showing continued into the second period. Two minutes after the restart Robertson headed wide at the near post from Scott’s cross and 4 minutes later, an arrowed ball from McHattie found Scott on the right hand side of the box but his powerful effort flew inches over.

On 55 minutes, City got the third goal that they deserved. Again Marc Scott was central to the attack and his inviting cross found EWAN LOUDON lurking at the back post and he stooped to head home for his third of the season.

Anthony McDonald was desperately unlucky not to have his second of the game on 65 minutes. Marc Scott’s cross from the right was cleared only as far as the City playmaker 12 yards out and his sidestepped a challenge before placing a low shot which looked destined for the corner, however MacLean did supremely well to get down and tip round the post.

After coming as a substitute midway through the half, Ruari Henry nearly had his first City goal when McDonald’s corner fell kindly for him 6 yards out, but his effort was deflected wide. From the resulting corner, Brad McKay headed wide of goal.

Four minutes later, Henry did well to cut the ball back for Loudon inside the box and his snapshot dipped narrowly over the crossbar.

City continued to pile on the pressure with Scott Logan’s corner being met by the unmarked Euan Spark inside the box, however his header was cleared off the line.

Lenny Wilson had very little to do throughout the 90 minutes, but he was called into action on 82 minutes to palm away a free kick from Angus Dey before Spark cleared the danger.

With four minutes remaining, City really should have had the icing on the cake when Logan’s corner found McKay but the defender somehow headed over from a yard out.

Overall it was an extremely satisfying afternoon for City against a side that has caused problems at Station Park over the years. Next up we welcome Inverurie Locos to the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park on Wednesday evening (8pm kick off).

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 0 Lossiemouth 0

Clachnacuddin 2 Keith 0

Fraserburgh 1 Deveronvale 1

Huntly 3 Wick Academy 0

Inverurie Locos 2 Buckie Thistle 1

Rothes 2 Formartine United 10

Strathspey Thistle 0 Brora Rangers 7

Turriff United 2 Forres Mechanics 2