Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin City produced a ruthless attacking performance to see off Forres Mechanics 6–2 at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon, cutting the gap at the top of the Highland League table to just a single point.

Manager Ray McKinnon made three changes from the side that defeated Huntly last time out. In came Kieran Sweeney and Dugald Farquhar, while new loan signing Harry Craig was handed his debut. Despite fielding a young side with the starting XI boasting an average age of just 21, City showed composure and maturity to overpower the Cans Cans.

City got off to the perfect start after just two minutes. A volley from Grady McGrath inside the area ricocheted into the path of MITCH TAYLOR, who wasted no time in drilling a low angled drive in off the far post to make it 1–0.

The early goal set the tone as Brechin pressed for more. Taylor almost doubled his tally minutes later when slipped through by Finlay Allan, only to see his delayed shot deflected wide.

Chances came thick and fast with Findlay denied by the keeper’s feet whilst Craig delivered a teasing cross that somehow evaded both Allan and Findlay in front of goal. Shortly after, Sweeney clipped a pass through for Taylor, who finished into the side-netting but was flagged offside.

At the other end, Forres offered little threat until the 34th minute when a scramble in the box saw several efforts blocked before City cleared their lines. Brechin soon responded with further chances as McCarthy made a fine save to deny Spark from McGrath's free kick and Allan then fired over after some fine footwork.

City’s persistence was rewarded in the 41st minute. Findlay’s clever pass released McGrath in the box, and although his shot was parried by goalkeeper McCarthy, FINLAY ALLAN reacted sharply to squeeze the rebound in from a tight angle for his first goal for the club.

But just as Brechin looked comfortable, Forres found a lifeline on the stroke of half-time. A loose backpass from Sweeney was intercepted by CALUM FRAME, who rounded Hepburn and slotted into the empty net to make it 2–1 at the break.

The setback failed to rattle City, who re-established their two-goal cushion within three minutes of the restart. Findlay burst through on goal only to be denied by McCarthy’s legs, but McGrath was on hand to calmly roll the rebound into the net for 3–1.

Forres, to their credit, refused to buckle and created their best spell of the match. A powerful header from Macleod forced a superb reflex save from Hepburn, before McLauchlan flashed a shot inches wide.

Their pressure told on 58 minutes when some hesitant defending afforded CALUM FRAME some space on the edge of the box and he produced a fine finish into the corner to half the deficit once again.

The goal sparked Brechin back into life again, and from then on they took complete control. On 66 minutes, FINLAY ALLAN charged down a clearance from the goalkeeper and showed great composure to slot in his second of the afternoon.

Moments later, Taylor’s cross from the left hand side found KIERAN SWEENEY lurking at the back post and he rifled home at the back post to mark his first goal for the club.

City weren’t done yet, and in the 75th minute substitute CILLIAN SHERIDAN latched onto a long ball from Hepburn, producing an exquisite lob over the advancing keeper to round off the scoring at 6–2.

It was an afternoon of attacking flair and clinical finishing from a largely young Brechin side who showed both energy and character to respond each time Forres threatened a comeback.

While Manager Ray McKinnon will be frustrated at the manner of the goals conceded, he will take plenty of encouragement from the dominance, the spread of scorers, and the confidence shown by his players.

The win narrows the title race gap to just one point and provides a timely boost heading into next weekend’s Scottish Cup 1st round tie away to Lochee United.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 3 Brora Rangers 1

Buckie Thistle 0 Huntly 0

Clachnacuddin 7 Rothes 0

Deveronvale 1 Formartine United 3

Fraserburgh 4 Strathspey Thistle 1

Inverurie Locos 1 Keith 0

Nairn County 3 Turriff United 0

Wick Academy 0 Lossiemouth 1