Match Report - By Steven Mew

With City looking to build on last Saturday’s victory against Peterhead, they travelled to Forthbank on Saturday hopeful of getting another positive result, but it was always going be very tough against the Binos as they have been unbeaten in the league since the opening day, when they lost to Ayr. With Stirling recording a 1-0 victory up at Glebe Park on the second day of the season, City were looking to gain revenge, and a victory would put them level on points with the Binos. However, defeat would see City fall fix points adrift of the Forthbank side, and further away from the chasing pack.

City gaffer Michael O’Neill made three changes to the side which beat Peterhead at Glebe Park last Saturday. Scott Walker and Paddy Connolly returned to the side while Kevin Byers made his first start since returning from an injury which has kept him out for most of the season. Out came Stuart Ferguson, who failed a fitness test before the match, and Ross Archibald and Iain Russell, who were injured.

Both sides showed racism the red card before the match, with one of the Stirling players sneakily flashing the card to the referee!

O’Neill has spoken of his frustration at how many times City have gone behind in matches this season, leaving themselves with too much to do and with City failing to get out of gear for the first half hour in this match, it wasn’t hard to see why Brechin have been going behind in matches so often this season. Stirling started off brightly and with the City defence all at sea, Chris Aitken played a pass towards ‘man of many clubs’ Colin Cramb who slammed a shot which sailed over the bar.

Stirling continued to attack, often outpacing the City backline with Steven Bell in particular outstanding. It was that very man who broke the deadlock for Stirling with 19 minutes on the clock. Colin Cramb picked out Steven Bell on the edge of the box and the former Clyde man took a touch, before drilling a shot into the corner of the net, despite Nelson getting a hand to it. The goal was well struck, but the City goalkeeper will have been very disappointed that he couldn’t keep the ball out at his near post. Just a few minutes later, Nelson made a smart save to deny youngster Nathan Taggart.

The home side continued to put City under some considerable pressure but the visitors still created a number of chances on the break. Steven Hampshire had an effort from outside the box which flew well over the bar while Kevin Byers jinked his way past several Stirling players before his weak shot was comfortably saved by Myles Hogarth in the Stirling goal.

The referee blew the whistle for half time and despite a couple of City chances just before the break, Stirling were well in control and thoroughly deserved their one goal advantage. City needed to sort themselves out for the second half as they never got out of first gear in the first period.

However, Stirling doubled their advantage just five minutes into the second half. Steven Bell had a shot deflected wide and the resulting corner evaded everyone in the box apart from Colin Cramb, who drilled a powerful shot in off the crossbar to give City a rather large mountain to climb.

City finally got their act together and they were back in the game just a few minutes later when they pulled a goal back. Steven Hampshire took full advantage of Sean Roycroft slip-up in defence and he got to the by-line before playing a ball to the unmarked Darren Smith at the back post, who had all the time in the world to steer the ball into the net, game on!

Chris Aitken attempted to restore Stirling’s two goal advantage but his free kick from distance flew well over the top while Craig Nelson did well to hang onto Dene Shields low shot when the pacey striker burst in on goal.

For the last half hour, City piled men forward in search of an equaliser while the home side defended in numbers as they frantically tried to hold onto their fragile lead. Scott Walker had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for an infringement in the box while Paddy Connolly also headed the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside.

However, at the other end Stirling nearly put the icing on the cake when Ian Cashmore collected a pass from Stewart Devine, before spinning his marker but Craig Nelson got down well to save the low shot.

City were beginning to run out of ideas before they were awarded a penalty five minutes for time when Stewart Devine was adjudged to have pulled down fellow substitute Chris Geddes inside the area. Stuart Callaghan, who has converted several penalties for Brechin already this season, once again stepped up to take the spot kick but his powerful shot down the middle was saved by the legs of Hogarth. The ball bounced out and a powerful header from the edge of the box was superbly tipped over by Hogarth for a corner kick.

City piled forward in the closing minutes but the home side held on for a valuable three points which enhanced their place in 2nd position. The result also means that Saturday’s home match against Stranraer is another must win game if we are to keep within touch of the play-off places.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Cowdenbeath 1 Ayr United 1

Cowdenbeath suffered the loss of manager Mixu Paatelainen before kick-off and a late goal to Ayr as they were held to a draw at Central Park.

Forfar Athletic 1 Raith Rovers 1

Raith were left to rue a series of missed chances as Forfar struck a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw.

Morton 3 Stranraer 0

Division Two leaders Morton cruised to victory over Stranraer.

Peterhead 1 Alloa Athletic 2

Javier Payo made a dream debut for Alloa Athletic as they claimed victory in a lacklustre meeting with Peterhead.