Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin City returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Inverurie Locos at Harlaw Park to move within a point of the Highland League summit.

Manager Ray McKinnon demanded a reaction after last weekend’s defeat to Fraserburgh, making six changes to his starting line-up. Sweeney, Klimionek, Watson, Armour, Findlay, and Moreland all came into the side, with forward Cillian Sheridan missing out through suspension.

The home side started brightly and might have struck first after just eight minutes when Blair Smith fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

However, it was Brechin who drew first blood two minutes later. A well-worked corner from Findlay was met by Sweeney, who nodded it back across goal for BEN ARMOUR to head home from close range - his first goal in City colours.

That early breakthrough failed to settle the visitors, and Inverurie quickly hit back. On the quarter hour mark, a long ball down the left found Skea, whose cross caused chaos in the box. The ball eventually broke to ETHAN CAIRNS, who finished despite Euan Spark’s desperate effort to clear on the line.

The equaliser lifted the home side and they went on to enjoy a good spell. Skea tested Hepburn with a low drive which the keeper kept out with his feet, and moments later the same player’s teasing cross was headed over by Cairns from close range.

City suffered a blow on 24 minutes when captain Euan Spark limped off injured, replaced by Wallace Baird.

On the half hour mark, a deflected Watson free kick led to a corner which Klimionek attacked well and Hutchison was just unable to turn the ball home from close range. Taylor then went close with a free kick that flashed narrowly past the post.

As the game approached the interval, Souter headed wide for the hosts whilst Cairns drew a save from Hepburn as the sides went in level at the break.

Brechin began the second period with greater purpose and were rewarded just seven minutes after the restart. Taylor’s dangerous in-swinging cross was flicked on by MITCHELL FINDLAY, whose delicate touch ended up in the net to restore City’s lead.

From then on, McKinnon’s side managed the game well, staying compact and breaking effectively when opportunities arose. The tireless Taylor continued to impress, dispossessing Souter in the 59th minute and driving at goal before Inverurie scrambled clear.

Substitute Craig Tosh had two good chances - slicing one wide on 73 minutes and dragging another effort off target ten minutes later.

Late efforts from Watson, first over the bar and then wide in the closing stages, might have added gloss to the scoreline, but City were ultimately content to see out a deserved and disciplined away win.

The result lifts City to third place, just a point behind Brora Rangers, though the Cattachs have a game in hand.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 3 Fraserburgh 1

Buckie Thistle 2 Forres Mechanics 0

Clachnacuddin 0 Huntly 1

Deveronvale 2 Brora Rangers 4

Nairn County 0 Keith 2

Rothes 1 Formartine United 5

Turriff United 1 Lossiemouth 1

Wick Academy 1 Strathspey Thistle 2