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Boost for Elgin City play-off hopes after four early goals earn a vital 4-1 victory away to Stranraer


By Craig Christie

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ELGIN City produced one of their best performances of the season to breathe life into their promotion challenge with a 4-1 win at Stranraer.

Kane Hester scored twice in Elgin's victory. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Kane Hester scored twice in Elgin's victory. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Four early goals effectively had the game sewn up after 19 minutes as City tore their hosts apart.

The win took Elgin to within two points of fourth-placed Stranraer, while Stirling in third were beaten at home to Queen’s Park.

City now host Stirling in another crucial encounter with another win for the Black and Whites elevating them into third spot.

With Matthew Cooper back from injury in defence, the visitors made an incredible start with a flurry of scoring.

On three minutes a defensive mix-up was punished by Aidan Sopel for his third goal of the season.

Aidan Sopel opened City's account early on. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Aidan Sopel opened City's account early on. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Before the home side could recover, Kane Hester beat the offside trap to slot home a second on seven minutes.

When Brian Cameron headed home to make it 3-0 on nine minutes, City were in full flow.

Brian Cameron was on target for Elgin.
Brian Cameron was on target for Elgin.

Hester forced a good save out of Greg Fleming but didn’t have to wait long for his second goal of the night and 16th of the season with a fine finish on 19 minutes.

Darryl McHardy forced Fleming to tip over, while at the other end a David Wilson goal-line clearance denied Stranraer a goal eight minutes before the break.

McHardy was unlucky not to add to City’s lead in the second half as he was denied by a fine Fleming save and a goal-line clearance from two corners.

Hester was also thwarted in his efforts to complete his hat-trick as a strike in the early minutes of the half was deflected past.

The game seemed to peter out and one Elgin moment of slackness was punished by a diving header from Cammy Elliott to pull one back for Stranraer on 72 minutes.

The home side had Ruari Paton sent off for a second booking six minutes later, ending any hopes of a Stranraer revival.

Elgin also visit Edinburgh City on Saturday before finishing their post-split programme at home to Queen’s Park next Tuesday.

Elgin team: McHale, Wilson, Spark, McHardy, Cooper, Mailer, R Dingwall (Miller 68), Cameron, Hester (Peters 79), Brown (Osadolor 79), Sopel (O’Keefe 68).


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