City head for the Capital tomorrow as attention turns back to the Lowland League East, with a first ever trip to Christie Gillies Park to face Civil Service Strollers.
City head into the fixture looking to put last weekend’s South Challenge Cup exit behind them and the focus now switches firmly back to league action, with Andy Kirk’s side aiming to build on back to back wins over Bonnyrigg Rose and Berwick Rangers in the Lowland League East.
Civil Service Strollers have made a positive start to the campaign, opening with a 1-1 draw away to Linlithgow Rose before recording victories over Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Cowdenbeath. Their unbeaten start was ended in their most recent league outing, however, as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Bo’ness United.
TEAM NEWS
City will continue to be without Spencer Moreland, Kieran Inglis, Kyle Bell, Corey Kirk, Adam Hutchinson and Euan Spark. Lewis Martin came through last weekends cup tie against Pollok unscathed and will be available for selection. It is hoped that City will have a new addition to the squad ahead of the game, subject to SFA registration.
MANAGERS COMMENTS
Reflecting on City’s South Challenge Cup exit to Pollok last weekend, Manager Andy Kirk said, “We made a decision as a group to change things up a little bit for the game – there were players in the squad that we needed to see so we did change the team quite a lot. We didn’t play particularly well in the game, probably based on those factors. It’s disappointing to have lost the game and we had a good chance at the end to equalise and take the game to penalties but it wasn’t to be. However it gave me a chance to see a number of players that haven’t had as much minutes.
“We also decided to take the front 3 out (Mitch Taylor, Dale Hilson & Darren Watson) as they have played more or less every game so far this season so it was an opportunity to give them a bit of a rest. When they came on in the second half you could see the difference straight away and the dynamics of the game changed and we probably should have scored.”
Looking ahead to our next fixture against Civil Service Strollers, he added, “We have a big game tomorrow which is a lot more important for us. It’s at a new ground against a team we’ve never played before but we’ll be as prepared as we can. We know it will be tough but with the players we have available, if they perform at the levels they are capable of then we’ll have a good chance of winning the game.”
MATCH OFFICIALS
Tomorrow’s match referee is Ben Graham, assisted by Dean Whitton & Cameron Anderson.
ADMISSION INFORMATION
Tomorrow’s match at Christie Gillies Park kicks off at 3pm. Admission prices are £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £3 for U16’s accompanied by an adult (£5 for unaccompanied U16’s). There is a cash gate on the day or tickets can be purchased in advance on Fanbase at the following link – HERE
SUPPORTERS TRAVEL
Brechin City Supporters’ Club are running a bus to the game which will leave Glebe Park at 11:15am. Pick ups are available in Forfar and Dundee enroute. Prices are £15 members / £20 non-members / £15 U16’s. To book, text 07740 856565 or e-mail dwalker@brechincity.com
LAST TIME OUT
City were beaten 1-0 by Pollok in the first round of the South Challenge Cup last weekend. Former City captain Jamie Bain scored the only goal of the game early on as the Glasgow outfit secured their place in the next round. Manager Andy Kirk took the opportunity to give valuable minutes to a number of players who have featured less regularly so far this season, with a youthful City side ultimately unable to find a way back into the tie despite creating a number of chances in the second half.
Civil Service Strollers meanwhile progressed to the 2nd round of the South Challenge Cup with a convincing 5-0 victory away from home against Lesmahagow. Louis Kennedy, Logan Raeside, Alieu Faye, Tuacenio Dos Santos and Jacob Glass were all on target.
PREVIOUS MEETING
Tomorrow’s fixture will be the first competitive meeting between the sides.
Preview by Steven Mew
