MATCH REPORTS

V BISHOPMILL 20 SEPTEMBER 2008

by Duncan McKenzie - 12:48 on 22 September 2008

Bishopmill Utd 3 Inverness City 4

Team: McGhee, MacLennan (70), D Beaton, K Fraser, J Fraser, Miller, Turner, Stewart (60), C Mason, Sanderson (80), Mapplebeck. Subs: P Beaton (70), Pearce (80), Murdoch (60).

CITY CLAIM LAST GASP WINNER IN SEVEN GOAL THRILLER

INVERNESS City gave themselves a much needed confidence boost ahead of next weekend's North Region Cup clash with experienced Aberdeenshire outfit Buchanhaven Hearts with a last gasp win at Bishopmill on Saturday.

The home side looked to stolen a point in the dying minutes of this one, but a combination of brilliance by Gary Miller to earn his side a 92^nd minute penalty combined with Kevin Fraser's cool head from the spot ensured City left with all three.

City co-manager Mike Pollard has two reasons to be cheerful after this result as it sets them up perfectly for their historic first match at their new home, the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness city centre.

Pollard said: "This result gives the lads a lot of confidence going into next Saturday's match against Buchanhaven and given their quality we will need to be at our best.

"This is definitely the biggest game in our short career so far and we cannot wait to welcome the Peterhead side to our new home at Northern Meeting Park."

He added: "Saturday's game was not the tidiest of games, but sometimes you do have to win ugly. At times the game flared up, but credit must go to the players for keeping their cool and maintaining discipline."

City started the game the brighter side and in 4 minutes Graham Stewart won his side a free kick on the edge of the area. However, Gary Miller's effort went straight at the keeper.

It was Bishopmill's turn to try their luck from distance five minutes later but thankfully for City the ball drifted harmlessly wide.

But City did not have to wait long for their pressure to pay off as they took the lead in 26 minutes. Stevie Sanderson found himself through one on one with the keeper and despite a good block from the man between the sticks Michael Turner was there to side foot the ball home.

However, their lead did not last long and in 32 minutes Bishopmill hit back. A quality run from the Bishopmill midfielder saw him beat three City players, square the ball across goal and the striker had the easiest of tap ins.

Miller's curling corner from the right beat everyone, including the keeper, and dipped into the net to make it 2-1 to the visitors two minutes before half time.

City maintained the pressure after the break with Sanderson turning provider for Colin Mason, but his effort ballooned over.

Sanderson was again causing Bishopmill problems and the visitors increased their lead on the hour mark. Sanderson's shot forced a great stop from the Bishopmill keeper, but Turner was there again to blast high into the roof of the net.

A goalmouth scramble in 81 minutes followed by a neat finish by Bishopmill in 85 minutes looked to have secured a point for the home side.

However, wing wizard Miller had other ideas as he jinked his way into the box before being scythed down in 92 minutes. The referee pointed to the spot and Kevin Fraser kept his cool to slot past the keeper, much to the delight of his team-mates and City's management.

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