Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin City progressed to the Third Round of the Scottish Cup with a 3–1 win over East of Scotland Premier side Dundonald Bluebell, asserting their authority in the second half after a frustrating goalless first period.

Ray McKinnon's squad was again severely depleted by injury, with six players sidelined through injury whilst Craig Hepburn was unavailable for selection as part of his loan agreement. Ruaridh Lynch stepped in as goalkeeper in what was the only change from last weekend.

Dundonald’s starting lineup featured three former City players – Scott Costello, Fionn McLeod Kay, and Finn Graham – adding an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter.

The opening 45 minutes were largely uneventful, with Brechin struggling to cope with strong winds. On 7 minutes, the visitors were first to threaten when a corner from the left caused problems in the penalty area. Lynch tipped the ball away, but Jordan Orru came close at the far post and the ball bobbled wide off his foot.

On the quarter hour mark Finlay Allan was brought down by Finn Graham, earning the Dundonald man a booking. Mitch Taylor stepped up for the free kick, but his strike was straight at Costello.

Taylor continued to probe and two minutes later, he delivered a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded Ben Armour and Kieran Sweeney at the back post.

For the remainder of the first half, both sides struggled to create meaningful opportunities and the teams went into the interval locked at 0–0.

The second half opened at a much higher tempo, with Brechin immediately threatening when a quick free kick from Fraser Macleod found Mitch Taylor, whose low drive skimmed past the far post.

At the other end, the Bluebell came close when Jack Wilson weaved past a challenge, but Lynch made a superb save with his feet to deny him. The subsequent throw-in was flicked on and nearly sneaked in at the back post, coming off the woodwork to keep the score level.

Despite this scare, City broke the deadlock on 52 minutes when a low cross from Taylor found FRASER MACLEOD ten yards out and he made no mistake, drilling a precise shot into the corner.

City doubled their advantage seven minutes later after Macleod capitalised on a defensive lapse to set substitute MITCHELL FINDLAY clean through. Findlay showed the visitors defence a clean pair of heels before sliding a fine finish beyond Costello.

Paul Watson attempted a speculative strike from the halfway line which ended up just inches wide, before City put the tie beyond doubt with just under quarter of an hour remaining.

Fraser Macleod continued his influential second half display by playing in GRADY MCGRATH who produced a brilliant angled finish into the far corner, leaving Costello with no chance.

Frustratingly for City the visitors pulled one back three minutes later when a floated cross from Wilson found substitute LEWIS MCKENZIE, who headed home despite Lynch getting a touch.

City pushed to restore their 3 goal advantage in the closing stages with Taylor cutting in from the left, but his right-footed effort went wide of the near post.

Overall City's second-half performance more than justified their victory with some clinical finishing. While conceding a late goal will be a minor disappointment, the result ensures that City are safely in the draw for the Third Round of the Scottish Cup where they will travel to face Kelty Hearts.