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V BURGHEAD THISTLE 11 OCTOBER 2008

by Duncan McKenzie - 09:31 on 13 October 2008

Inverness City 3 Burghead Thistle 2

Scotscoup League Division 2

Team: Kerr, MacLennan, J. Fraser, D. Beaton, Mapplebeck (62), C. Mason, Stuart (82), Miller, K. Mason, Sanderson, Turner (75). Subs: McCraw (75), McNiven, Murdoch, Bannerman (62), McInnes (82).

HOME FORTUNES CONTINUE FOR CITY THIS TIME ON LEAGUE BUSINESS

INVERNESS City may have maintained their 100% winning start to life at the Northern Meeting Park but co-manager Mike Pollard recognised this wasn't City's best performance.

After two impressive cup wins in the past fortnight City were back in league business on Saturday and ground out a hard fought 3-2 victory over Burghead Thistle.

Pollard said: "I wasn't pleased with the performance as we made things hard for ourselves. I know the conditions were not great, but we should still be able to put in a decent performance. But don't get me wrong we are always happy to take the points.

"We have now set ourselves up for a massive game next weekend away to Deveronside. Motivation for that one won't be a problem and we want to put things right after the heavy defeat we suffered there the last time (6-2 at the start of the season."

Pollard thanked the crowd who turned up in force once again to support City, saying: "I must say I was amazed at the number of people who came to watch us despite the international games on TV. We would like to thank everyone for their support."

The heavy pitch made things difficult for both teams during the opening exchanges and the first chance fell to the visitors in 8 minutes. When the ball broke to the striker inside the area he could only balloon the ball over.

City's first opening came in 17 minutes when Stevie Sanderson squirmed his way through the Burghead defence only to watch his through pass to Michael Turner being blasted over.

The second half was far more entertaining and Burghead drew first blood two minutes after the re-start. The visitors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area and Michael Kerr could do nothing as the ball flew into the top corner.

The heavy pitch was not conducive to City's brand of passing football and their decision to revert to the long ball paid off in 56 minutes. Kerr's huge clearance found Keith Mason who struck the ball first time past the keeper for the equaliser.

Burghead had three decent chances after that to regain the lead, but City had Kerr to thank for pulling off some stunning stops.

In 67 minutes a poor pass from Colin Mason put MacLennan under pressure. He lost the ball and the Burghead player wasted no time, lobbing Kerr for the visitors' second.

City showed their powers of recovery once more and drew level again 7 minutes later. MacLennan's dangerous cross was headed into his own net by the unfortunate Burghead defender.

Just as the game appeared to heading for a draw, experienced substitute Bruce McCraw ghosted through the defence before being upended and City were awarded a penalty. The super sub then made no mistake from the spot to hand City the three points their determination merited.

Comment from andrew anderson at 18:14 on 13 October 2008.

i was there it was crap we were lukey to get that owngoul.

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