MATCH REPORTS

V BUCKIE ROVERS 23 AUGUST 2008

by Duncan McKenzie - 12:31 on 25 August 2008

Buckie Rovers 1 Inverness City 3

Team: McGhee, MacLennan, D. Beaton, J. Fraser, K. Fraser (Pollard 70), Stewart, Bannerman, Murdoch (Pearce 70), Mapplebeck, Turner, Sanderson. Subs: C. Mason, Pearce, Pollard

CITY GO INTO FIRST LEAGUE MATCH ON HIGH AFTER WIN AT BUCKIE

INVERNESS City go into their very first junior league fixture on a high after an impressive start to the season in the Grill League Cup. 

The men from the Highland Capital notched four victories and just two defeats in the cup competition, narrowly missing out on qualification to the knock out stages.

Saturday's win at Buckie, thanks to a double from Stevie Sanderson and one from Kevin Fraser, means City go into Saturday's Scotscoup Division 2 opener at home to Fochabers in confident mood.

After making a rare appearance from the bench last weekend, City's co-manager Mike Pollard said: "It was very pleasing to beat a team who are a division above us. It's the second time we've managed that this season following our win at Strathspey.

"The boys are starting to gel together well and are showing plenty of grit and determination at the right time."

Pollard added: "With the league season starting at the weekend the boys should be under no illusions and know what to expect.

"If we see the same level of determination and effort for the rest of the season then we should do well."

The visitors drew first blood in 22 minutes. Danny Murdoch, in for a rare starting berth, swung the ball in from the left, it was missed by the Buckie keeper and Stevie Sanderson had the simplest of tap-ins to make it 1-0 to City.

Graham Stewart was next to register an effort on goal in 36 minutes, beating three players and firing in a shot from the edge of the area. However, his final shot was weak and held easily by the keeper.

Eight minutes before the interval Andy Bannerman nearly doubled City's advantage, but his thunderous drive came crashing back off the bar before being cleared.

The second period was only five minutes old when City extended their lead. The Buckie keeper and defender collided after challenging for the same ball and Sanderson could not miss when the ball landed at his feet with the goal gaping.

The home side did pull a goal back in 60 minutes. Mark McGhee failed to hold onto a free kick and the striker pounced to reduce the deficit to one.

City's two-goal advantage was restored six minutes later when Kevin Fraser netted the rebound after a Michael Turner shot came back off the bar.

Co-manager Mike Pollard came on for a brief appearance in 70 minutes and he, Stuart Pearce and Sanderson were all guilty of missing chances to add to City's tally in the remaining minutes.

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