Match Report - By Steven Mew

City's long unbeaten run spanning from mid-October may have ended last week in the 3-2 defeat against Morton, but the players bounced back with a breathtaking victory up north against Peterhead at Balmoor last Saturday.

Remarkably, this was the third time the two sides have played each other in the league this season, with this particular match representing the half-way point of the season. The players will soon know the opposition better than their own team mates!

City took on Peterhead on the first day of the season up at Balmoor, and while they picked up a creditable draw, the result was somewhat overshadowed by the leg break of club captain Steve Ferguson.

Some may be surprised that Peterhead haven't really been a force to be reckoned with this season and that they haven't really challenged for the play-off's, instead they are flirting with relegation. The club parted company with manager Iain Stewart not so long ago and the vacancy was filled by former Aberdeen gaffer Steve Paterson, with Neale Cooper coming in as his assistant.

City were looking to push away from Ayr United in the table whilst attempting to keep up with in-form Stirling Albion and league leaders Morton at the top.

Robbed of the services of our two first choice centre backs, in John Ward (injury) and David White (suspension), Scott Walker paired up with Ross Archibald in the centre of defence.

The visitors couldn't have started the game any better as they took the lead with just 5 minutes on the clock. Stuart Callaghan got past Bryan Gilfillan on the left hand side before supplying a cross for the unmarked Iain Russell, who nodded into the net at the back post.

The Blue Toon threatened briefly following the goal with Bobby Linn blasting over the bar when put through on goal while Craig Nelson had to be alert to save the striker's low effort from the edge of the box.

However, City doubled their advantage barely 60 seconds later with another goal. City won a free kick out on the right and Charlie King's floated cross was met by Scott Walker, and his header looped over the unfortunate Greg Kelly in the Peterhead goal and into the net.

The home side continued to threaten with Kyle MacAuley a constant thorn in the flesh for the City defence. Craig Nelson produced a good stop to deny MacAuley from just inside the box.

If Peterhead harbored any hopes of coming back into the game then they were extinguished after 22 minutes when City netted a third. Iain Russell made a run on the edge of the box before playing the ball to Darren Smith, who swivelled on the ball before lashing the ball past Kelly from 18 yards.

Incidentally, this time last week-end, City had just gone 3-0 down to league leaders Morton at Glebe Park. Thankfully it was Brechin dishing out the early hiding this time.

Peterhead huffed and puffed as they tried to pull a goal back but the only chance they had before the break fell for new recruit Gary McGowan, who was denied by Nelson.

The referee blew for half time with City well in control. Blue Toon gaffer Steve Paterson, who was no doubt unhappy with his teams showing so far, made two substitutions at the break. Martin Bavidge came on for Graeme Sharp while skipper Craig Tully was replaced by debutant Simon Scott.

Michael O'Neill was forced to make a change just two minutes into the second half half, with Stuart Ferguson coming on for Darren Smith, who picked up a knock.

Brechin took their foot off the pedal in the second half and the home side pulled a goal back on the hour mark. Kyle MacAuley surged forward and his speculative effort took a deflection and looped into the net, past a stranded Craig Nelson.

City gaffer O'Neill made a change just a few minutes later, with youngster Matt Flynn making way for skipper Steven Ferguson.

Charlie King nearly restored City's three goal advantage shortly after but his shot was well parried by Kelly, and the ball was cleared to safety.

Scott Walker, the only natural central defender on the park for Brechin, had to be stretchered off after 72 minutes and he was replaced by the experienced Paddy Connolly as City looked to wrap the game up. Unfortunately, Walker looks to be out of action for a few weeks.

Peterhead continued to threaten but they couldn't breach the makeshift Brechin defence.

On the counter attack, City put the icing on the cake with 12 minutes left on the clock. Iain Russell was put clean through and he raced half the length of the pitch, outpacing Scott, before firing a beautiful angled shot across Kelly and into the far corner to continue his rich vein of form.

The hosts had one more chance in the dying stages but MacAuley was once again denied by Nelson in the Brechin goal.

Overall, an absolutely fantastic victory for City and the result puts Brechin in an excellent position, 6 points ahead of 4th placed Cowdenbeath. Iain Russell continues to bang in the goals for City and with two home games coming up against Cowdenbeath and local rivals Forfar, City will be looking to keep the pressure on the two sides at the top whilst consolidating their place in the play-offs.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Cowdenbeath 5 Alloa Athletic 2

Cowdenbeath hammer Alloa for the second time this season.

Forfar Athletic 5 Stranraer 0

Shock of the day as rock-bottom Forfar hammer lowly Stranraer.

Morton 1 Raith Rovers 0

Morton win in the only low-scoring game in the division.

Stirling Albion 4 Ayr United 2

A Dene Shields double helps Stirling to a well deserved win over Ayr.