Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City maintained their lead at the top of the Breedon Highland League following a comfortable win over Lossiemouth at Grant Park yesterday afternoon.

City went in at the interval 1-0 ahead thanks to a Ewan Loudon goal midway through the first-half and further goals after the break from Brad McKay and Fraser Macleod wrapped up the points for Patrick Cregg’s men - with the hosts scoring a hugely controversial goal a minute from time to narrow the deficit.

City started the game on familiar lines with Lenny Wilson in goal, skipper Euan Spark and Scott Bright taking up the wing-back positions with Kevin McHattie and Brad McKay in central defence. The midfield comprised of Fraser Macleod, Seth Patrick, Lewis Milne and Spencer Moreland with Marc Scott and Ewan Loudon up front.

The visitors started on the front foot and enjoyed the vast majority of possession and pressure without really creating anything clear-cut in front of goal, but they made the vital breakthrough after 24 minutes when EWAN LOUDON was on the spot to fire the ball low into the net following a Lewis Milne corner.

The hosts who hadn’t created any goal-scoring opportunities came close to equalising nine minutes before the break when a cross from the left from Ross Morrison was just missed by Brandon Hutcheson and five minutes later a free-kick from Niall Kennedy was comfortably held by Wilson.

City started the second-half in determined fashion with McKay and Loudon both coming close to increasing their side’s advantage within the first few minutes.

City kept up the momentum and their pressure paid off in the 56th minute when BRAD MCKAY slotted the ball home from close-range after his header from a Milne free-kick had crashed back off the bar into his path.

City were in total control and they made it 3-0 seven minutes later when terrific work from Loudon created the opportunity for FRASER MACLEOD who curled a right-foot drive into the bottom corner.

With the points wrapped up City were content to keep possession and control the play but Lossiemouth, who had never really looked dangerous in attack, reduced the deficit within a minute of the full-time whistle.

Referee Robert Mackinnon inexplicably allowed play to continue with two Lossie players in an offside position and despite the fact that the linesman had his flag up, this was ignored by the referee with the ball being played across to |ROSS ARCHIBALD who had the simplest of task in drilling a low shot beyond Wilson.

Despite protests from the City players and despite consulting with his linesman, the goal was allowed to stand to the consternation of the large contingent of City fans who had made the journey north to cheer on their team.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Deveronvale 2 Nairn County 1

Formartine United 1 Clachnacuddin 0

Keith 3 Buckie Thistle 1

Rothes 0 Brora Rangers 7

Turriff United 4 Strathspey Thistle 0

Wick Academy 1 Inverurie Locos 2