Match Report - By Steven Mew

City advanced to the second round of the R Davidson Highland League Cup after edging out Clachnacuddin in a pulsating 3–2 victory yesterday afternoon, thanks to a Grady McGrath winner deep into stoppage time.

In dreich, testing conditions, both sides served up an enthralling contest that had drama right up to the final whistle with McGrath's late volley securing a deserved victory.

Manager Ray McKinnon continued to be without the services of 5 players, including Mitch Taylor who was added to the injury list last week. Nevertheless, the City boss rang the changes from Saturday’s line-up, bringing in Marley Sweenie-Rowe, Harry Craig, Cillian Sheridan, Mitchell Findlay and Finlay Allan whilst 16 year-old loanee Ethan Crombie made his debut - part of what was a notably young Brechin side.

City started brightly and almost went ahead within three minutes. A corner wasn’t fully cleared, dropping for Mitchell Findlay eight yards out but his thumping volley was cleared off the line by a Clach defender.

However, it was the visitors who drew first blood in the 11th minute. Troy Cooper slipped a clever pass into JAMES ANDERSON inside the box and the striker turned sharply before firing past Hepburn - the City keeper getting a hand to it but unable to keep it out.

Clach threatened again on 19 minutes when Craig Lawrie tested Hepburn from range, the keeper doing well to gather low.

Brechin responded strongly with a spell of pressure: a reverse pass from Spencer Moreland sent Mitchell Findlay through only for Mark Ridgers to block his effort for a corner. Moments later, Moreland’s teasing cross found Sheridan, but the veteran forward’s header was well saved.

Allan and Findlay both went close before the break, while at the other end Hepburn had to push away a fierce drive from Allan MacPhee. On the stroke of half-time, Allan’s driven cross almost forced an own goal from Ben Cormack, as City ended the half pressing hard for an equaliser.

Brechin came out with real purpose after the restart. Within a minute, Allan forced Ridgers into action at his near post and from the resulting corner, debutant Crombie sliced wide from 20 yards.

The pressure paid off just three minutes later. FINLAY ALLAN, who was a constant menace for the visitors defence, wriggled between two defenders and skipped past Ridgers before finishing calmly from a tight angle to level the tie.

City began to dominate, with Allan, Moreland and Crombie all going close as they laid siege to the Clach goal. The second goal finally came in the 73rd minute when substitute FRASER MACLEOD showed great composure to sidestep his marker and curl a fine finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box - a goal City’s play fully merited.

Brechin looked set to cruise home, creating further chances through Macleod, Crombie, and Tosh, while McGrath twice went close late on - first firing over, then missing a one-on-one opportunity that could have sealed the tie.

Those misses looked costly when Clach dramatically levelled in stoppage time. A looping delivery into the box found substitute STRUAN COLI whose header nestled into the far corner to make it 2–2.

Moments later, the visitors almost stole it as Anderson was denied by a brilliant smothering save from Hepburn following defensive confusion.

But the final twist belonged to City. Deep into added time, GRADY MCGRATH made amends for his earlier miss by lashing home a stunning volley from the edge of the box to restore Brechin’s lead.

Even then, the game wasn't quite finished there and there was one last scare as Hepburn produced an outstanding reflex save to tip Lawrie’s deflected effort away in the 95th minute following a poor clearance from Klimionek.

Despite the late drama, it was a thoroughly deserved victory for Brechin, who created enough chances to have had the game wrapped up long before Clach’s equaliser. The young side showed excellent character and composure to respond in stoppage time and book their place in the second-round draw which takes place at 12 noon tomorrow.

Other Results - Highland League Cup Round 1

Banks O' Dee 4 Deveronvale 1

Formartine United 6 Lossiemouth 0

Forres Mechanics 1 Brora Rangers 2

Huntly 2 Nairn County 3

Inverurie Locos 2 Buckie Thistle 2

Inverurie Locos win 4-3 on pens

Keith 0 Fraserburgh 1

Turriff United 6 Keith 0