Match Report - By Steve Mitchell

When a man who has watched some of the finest footballers of the last half-a-century tells you you’re team has produced the best football display he has seen against his side all season, you may want to listen a little longer.

Arthur Montford, he of the Sports Jacket and “Stramash” fame for years on “Scotsport” is now a member of the Board of Directors at Greenock Morton. A Full-time club with huge aspirations of playing at a higher level and whose millionaire chairman, Douglas Rae, has invested huge sums of money on in his quest to get his beloved side back to where he truly believes it belongs.

Arthur informed Brechin officials after the game, that their second half display was the best he had seen a side play against his side in the past year. The 3-0 result was also Brechin’s best ever victory at this venue, where they haven’t got the best of records.

With Paul Deas an enforced absentee through suspension, Scott McCulloch made a welcome return at left-back. This was the only change to the side which had defeated Arbroath seven days previously.

Morton started the game brightly and in the fifth minute, Craig Nelson was called into action for the first time when he tipped Chris Millar’s low drive around the post. Then Weathertson curled a drive well over the bar from long-range.

City replied with Kevin Byers and Craig Winter particularly impressive against the equally talented John Maisano of Morton early on. City got in on the act when first Gibson robbed Keenan of possession, only for Collins to clear from the toes of Ritchie for a corner. Then McLeish swung in an inviting cross from the right, which Morton goalkeeper, Coyle, snatched with Ritchie closing in.

Nelson produced a fantastic save to deny Millar just on the half hour. Maisano was once again the architect he found Millar eight yards out and Nelson blocked his first effort only for the Morton man to balloon the rebound over the bar.

This was Morton’s best spell of the first half and young Jim McAllister produced a magical moment of skill when he first-timed a cross off the post with a stunning volley in the 33rd minute. Breech responded again, but were caught out having lost possession on the edge of the Morton box when the ball was quickly swept forward to Maisano who missed a sitter from six yards.

Having soaked up everything Morton could throw at them, City’s midfield of Byers, Hampshire, King and Winter grew in stature and it was Hampshire who carved out the game’s opening goal on the stroke of half-time. He swept in a cross, which was driven to the far post by Ritchie, and Graham Gibson was on hand to sweep home his seventh goal of the season.

If City had had to battle and scrap in the first half; their second half performance was different class. As early as the 49th minute, Coyle was forced to push King’s drive for a corner, after the wee man had flummoxed former team-mate Marc McCulloch. Kevin Byers then jinked his way past two challenges before unleashing a tremendous drive, which narrowly scraped the bar.

City were dealt a blow when King was forced to go off with a strain in the 57th minute. Chris Templeman replaced him. Scott McCulloch then produced a free-kick, which would have been talked about for years. Fully 40 yards from goal, his left-foot made a perfect connection only for the ball to hammer off the underside of the bar. Templeman reacted quickest to the rebound, but his overhead effort bounced an inch the wrong side of the post.

On the hour mark City got rewarded for their renewed vigour. The tireless Hampshire harassed and harried McAllister into a short pass-back. Hampshire beat the goalkeeper and defender to the ball, calmly rounded the goalkeeper and ran 20 yards to walk the ball into the net.

Templeman was leading Morton defender Stuart Greacen a merry dance. The big striker sidestepped the defender’s challenge and brought Coyle to his knees with a low drive. Paul Ritchie then joined Kevin McLeish in the referee’s notebook for a late tackle on Morton’s Dean Keenan.

Scott McCulloch, one of a number of City’s top performers, had to give up in 71 minutes. After putting in a great shift, his first match in around six weeks had clearly taken its toll. Roddy Black was his replacement and six minutes later Chris Jackson replaced Kevin McCleish.

Morton gained brief respite when Craig Nelson was forced to punch clear a couple of corners under severe pressure from the driving wind and rain. However, Roddy Black ensured normal service was resumed in the 78th minute. He headed a great through ball to Templeman who brushed aside the experienced Derek Collins and took Black’s pass on the drop for a stunning third goal for the visitors.

With the game won, Nelson produced a fine double save to block from Jason Walker, but there was no consolation for the title-favourites.

In an excellent display, which went up three gears in the second period, Brechin had no real failures. But particularly impressive were Messrs Nelson, Winter, White, Byers, Gibson and Hampshire.

City fans may have settled for a couple of points from two tough away days at Greenock and Ayr (this Saturday), but the team is scoring regularly and if the defensive side of the game is maintained, City can produce a run of form, everyone knows they are capable of. Notably one of the reds’ best displays of the season came against sides who also like to keep the ball on the ground.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Alloa Athletic 3 Dumbarton 2

Alloa show great character to come back from 2-0 down and win.

Arbroath 0 Ayr United 0

Arbroath's first point of the season. City travel to Ayr next Saturday.

Forfar Athletic 1 Berwick Rangers 1

Forfar held by Berwick.

Stranraer 0 Stirling Albion 0

Stalemate in the battle of top against second at Stair Park.