Posted August 9, 2016

A goal five minutes into the second half from Chris McLeish saw Elgin record their first ever league win at Central Park.

 

Despite numerous successes over the last decade we haven’t won on the opening day of a league campaign since the 6-1 demolition of Alloa at Central Park ten years ago.

 

It was an afternoon of few chances for either side with the respective keepers only having to make three saves between them.

The first came with ten minutes gone when Gunn broke through the Cowden defence but his low shot was blocked by McGurn and Moore’s follow up went past the post.

 

Soon after at the other end Todorov sent a low 25 yard shot just wide, while a Glen effort was held by Black.

Sutherland then had two good chances before the break firstly sending a 25 yard drive over the bar then Greg Ross make a timely sliding block on the six yard line to deny the former Peterhead striker.

 

In Elgin’s first attack of the second half McLEISH got the only goal of the afternoon when he latched onto a cross from Gunn and fired home a low angled shot via the inside of the post.

 

Things could have been worse three minutes later when Gunn got on the end of a cross from Muir and his header crashed off the bar.

 

Despite having a lot of possession we created few chances to get back on level terms although an angled shot from Miller appeared to be handled on the line by MacPhee but play was waived on by referee Reid.

 

TEAM: McGurn, Brett, Rutherford, G Ross, Sives, Turner (Moore 53), Mullen (B Ross 53), O’Brien (Johnston 78), Todorov, Glen & Miller, Subs not used – Sneddon, Robertson, Swann & Creaney.

 

Booked: Todorov (72) , Brett (90+1).

 

ELGIN CITY: Black, Cooper, MacPhee, Nicholson, Stewart, Reilly, McLeish (Smith 87), Cameron, Gunn (McLeod 73), Sutherland & Moore (Dodd 90). Subs not used – Dunn, Duff, Bruce & Cullen.

 

Scorer: McLeish (50).

 

Booked: MacPhee (60).

 

REFEREE: Steven Reid.