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Elgin City return to top spot in League 2 after derby victory over Peterhead at Borough Briggs





Elgin City will start the new year top of League 2 after defeating Peterhead in front of a 1356 Borough Briggs crowd.

The injury-plagued Black and Whites bounced back from three defeats in their last four outings to deservedly see off their north rivals.

Lewis Hyde scored his first goal for Elgin City. Picture: Bob Crombie
Lewis Hyde scored his first goal for Elgin City. Picture: Bob Crombie

With a string of defenders injured, City started with midfielders Russell Dingwall and Brian Cameron in their back four.

The visitors were first to threaten with a deflected Kieran Shanks effort on seven minutes that looped on to the top of the net.

City’s Ryan Sargent and Peterhead’s Ciaran Dunne were booked in quick succession for late challenges and the contest spiced up.

The home team started to find their rhythm and Lewis Hyde made space for a good struck forcing a save out of Blessing Oluyemi on 13 minutes.

Hyde was in the thick of things for the Black and Whites with two more efforts on goal, the first blocked and the second one skimming inches wide of the target.

Elgin were thrilling the big home crowd with their attacking play and another strong foray led to Kian Leslie crossing and Kyle Girvan nodding the ball across for Dylan Gavin, whose header forced Oluyemi into another fine stop on 18 minutes.

Leslie forced another save on 23 minutes but it was no surprise when Elgin took the lead five minutes later.

Leslie’s quick pass forward sprang the offside trap and Hyde raced on to lob the keeper for his first goal in Elgin colours.

Peterhead needed to come up with a response and Shanks tested home keeper Aidan Glavin with a header from Max Barry’s free kick.

It was an entertaining derby contest with numerous chances at both ends.

Dunne should have levelled the scores on 33 minutes but somehow scooped high over from close range after Dylan Forres put the ball on a plate for him.

Two minutes later City escaped again as Jack Brown’s chip to the back post was met by Shanks’ diving header but the ball slipped just wide.

Peterhead must have been wondering how they were still behind when Brown broke down the right and sent a tempting ball across for Shanks, who couldn’t get enough on the ball inside the six yard box to turn it on target five minutes before the interval.

The away side pressed hard at the start of the second half with Seb Ross missing a golden chance to level, slipping wide from Forrest’s pass.

Barry then fired past for the Blue Toon after a dazzling run, with Elgin firmly under the cosh.

It all changed when Peterhead full back Dunne brought Leslie down in full flight on the edge of the box and earned his second yellow, dismissed just before the hour.

Elgin took advantage with their second goal on 61 minutes as persistent play by Dajon Golding on the right saw him cut back for strike partner Gavin whose strike bounced down and over Oluyemi into the net.

The home team were back in charge with Gavin having another effort deflected over while Russell Dingwall forced a good save.

A thrilling breakaway on 73 minutes saw Hyde lead the charge and when the ball was returned to him, he picked out sub Owen Cairns who drove just wide against his former club.

Peterhead’s ten men had no answer now and Elgin comfortably held on for the victory that took them back above their opponents into top position in the table.



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