Match Report - By Steven Mew

Hot and cold certainly sum up our performances this season, from wins over Morton and Cowdenbeath, to defeats against Stirling Albion and Stranraer. While the results haven’t always been fantastic, we continue to create goalscoring opportunities and Brechin were desperate to get back on track with a victory at home to Alloa yesterday afternoon.

Both sides have contested some high-scoring affairs in recent years, with Alloa emerging victorious from the last match played at Glebe Park two seasons ago. The game finished 3-2, with Alloa’s winner coming courtesy of a last minute headed goal by Michael Bolochoweckyj, who started the game for Alloa at right back.

Before the match, both sides weren't without their injury problems. City were without long term absentees Steven Ferguson and Craig McEwan, while Stuart Ferguson, Kevin Byers and Grant Johnson were all sidelined. David White was doubtful before the match but he was declared fit enough to start the game at centre back, alongside John Ward and Scott Walker, who returned to the side from injury. The inexperienced Ross Archibald started the game at right back with Steven Hampshire just in front on the right wing. Scott Devlin and Stuart Callaghan were in the centre of midfield with Darren Smith out on the left. Chris Geddes and Paddy Connolly, who have linked up well with each other since the start of the season, led the line upfront. The squad contained no fewer than three ex Alloa players, in Stuart Callaghan, Scott Walker, and Richard Walker who was on the substitute’s bench. Not to mention City assistant Gareth Evans also spent many memorable years as a player and coach at Recreation Park.

It was the home side who started off the better of the two teams with the wasp’s defence looking extremely shaky, and the lack of communication between goalkeeper Allan Creer and his defenders was evident as City opened up the Alloa defence with ease. The first real chance of the game fell for Steven Hampshire when a loose ball fell to his feet with his back to goal, and his turn and shot was kept out by the foot of Creer in the Alloa goal and the ball was cleared to safety.

City continued to pile on the pressure in the early stages of the game and came very close to the opener just five minutes later. A cross from the left hand side found the head of David White, and his powerful header had Creer beaten but Brian McColligan was on hand to head the ball off the line and once again the ball was scrambled away by the Alloa defence. Allan Creer also had to be alert to make a couple of point blank saves to deny Scott Devlin and Steven Hampshire.

While the Alloa rearguard looked disorganised, the wasps were very good going forward with on loan Wigan man Michael Hazeldine in particular impressive. Alloa hit Brechin on the break at times and the home side had to rely on a wonder save from keeper Craig Nelson to keep the scoreline blank. A cross from the wing found the head of Hazeldine and Nelson did incredibly well to get across his goal and parry the goalbound header away. Several minutes later Hazeldine had the ball in the Brechin net but the linesman had flagged for offside long before the on loan striker pulled the trigger. This appeared to be the visitor’s only real chance of the match and from then on it was all one way traffic.

On the stroke of half time it was Brechin again who came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Chris Geddes had a shot which had Creer beaten but the ball hit the post.

It was beginning to look like one of those games where Brechin could play all night and not score, such is their luck in front of goal. In the defeats against Stirling and Stranraer this season, City created enough clear cut chances to win the game comfortably but couldn’t convert, and City fans were praying that the side would have their shooting boots on in the second half as Alloa were there for the taking.

With all of City’s attacks being easily mopped up by the Alloa defence, they were beginning to run out of ideas before Stuart Callaghan popped up with a sensational goal for the opener just after the hour mark. A clearance from inside the Alloa box went straight to Callaghan 25 yards from goal, and the former Alloa midfielder let the ball bounce before striking a beautiful volley which flew into the top right hand corner of the net, giving Creer absolutely no chance.

The goal gave City the confidence boost they needed and started threatening the goal more regularly. Stuart Callaghan once again had another pop from outside the area but this time it went high and wide of the goal. Then Chris Geddes came close a couple of minutes later when he turned well inside the box but his low shot hit the side netting.

In the closing stages, substitute Ross Hamilton had an opportunity at the other end but he fired his effort straight into the arms of Craig Nelson in the Brechin goal, and just a minute later City wrapped up the game with a second goal just a minute from time. Allan Creer attempted the launch the ball upfield but his clearance deflected off Iain Russell and into the path of Richard Walker on the right hand side, who looked up and chipped the ball beautifully over Creer and into the net from 40 yards.

It was a well deserved victory for City. It may not have been their best performance, but they scored the two all important goals and created plenty of goalscoring opportunities. Not to mention recording a clean sheet for the first time this season. Best players for City were David White and Stuart Callaghan.

City now travel to Kirkcaldy next week to take on Craig Levein’s Raith side who are no doubt full of confidence after their resounding 4-1 victory over Stranraer yesterday afternoon.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Ayr United 1 Peterhead 2

Peterhead pick up their first league win of the season at Somerset.

Cowdenbeath 1 Morton 2

Morton increase their lead at the top.

Stirling Albion 3 Forfar Athletic 0

The Loons soundly beaten at Forthbank.

Stranraer 1 Raith Rovers 4

Craig Levein gets off to a good start with a resounding victory.