Match Report - By Keith Johnston

Brechin’s failure to win at Alloa last week meant that regardless of the outcome this afternoon, Stranraer would still be top at 5pm. But it was still arguably the most important game of the season so far because defeat would leave City 7 points behind the men from Stair Park. As a result of their recent exploits, Stranraer’s manager Neil Watt was named the Bell’s manager-of-the-month for October earlier this week. This is often a good omen for opposition teams.

The match got off to a brisk start as a long throw by Steve Hamilton in the 3rd minute resulted in a Paul Ritchie shot being blocked. Moments earlier, David White had to look sharp to tackle Kevin Finlayson at the expense of a corner.
Stranraer had the better of the opening 15 minutes as City struggled to get going. The ball was not sticking with Brechin’s strikers and City seemed to be inviting the opposition to attack them. That said the visitors weren’t really creating any chances. That changed though on the quarter hour mark. Danger-man David Graham was allowed space in the box but Craig Nelson was out quickly to make a good save. John Fraser reacted at the edge of the box to the loose ball and fired in a shot that looped over Nelson but was brilliantly cleared off the line by David White. The result was a corner, taken by Lee Sharp, which was met at the near post by Murray Henderson. His bullet header made it 1-0 to the table-toppers. A simple goal, but you wonder if better defending could have prevented it.
If anything, the opening goal changed the pattern of play in Brechin’s favour. Whether it was Stranraer taking their foot off the peddle upon going ahead, or City altering their game plan - it always looked as though the lead wasn’t going to last.
Two minutes after the goal, another Steve Hamilton long throw was met be Templeman’s overhead kick, but the ball went just over. “Sanny” was in the action again 7 minutes later when he showed good footwork in the box and hit a low shot that McCondichie did well to save with his feet.
City made their pressure pay in the 28th minute by drawing level. Graham Gibson chased a ball over the top and crossed low for Chris Templeman whose first time effort gave then keeper no chance. Good play by Gibby, whose recent form is perhaps best summarized by the fact that he is keeping Charlie King on the bench, and a smart finish by Templeman.
Within a couple of minutes, the game had been completely turned round as City took the lead. A Byers corner was half-cleared to the edge of the box and retrieved by Craig Winter. He fired in the shot that deflected off Scott Walker and found its way into the net. The tannoy announcer and the feed that Teletext, Sky & co. use gave the goal to Winter, but I’m certain it hit Walker and without the deflection it wouldn’t have gone in. Either way, it was no more than Brechin deserved as they showed great bouncebackability following the early setback.
City’s pressure continued as a Steve Hamilton cross was headed over by Walker. However, there was a reminder at the other end that Dick Campbell’s men needed to stay on their guard in the 32nd minute when David Graham got away from White but failed to hit the target.
Six minutes before half-time, Lee Sharp’s cross found its way to Steve Swift who was unmarked at the near post, but Craig Nelson reacted brilliantly to save his glancing header.
Brechin had the final near miss of the first half as Chris Templeman’s cross landed in the danger area between keeper and defenders, but Graham Gibson was just unable to get the vital touch.

Brechin started the second half brightly and got the crucial third goal in the 48th minute. Kevin Byers’ corner was headed across goal by David White for Scott Walker to head home on the goal-line. He will never score an easier goal, but it was turning into a prolific afternoon for the big centre half. The initial corner came as a result of a Byers shot being deflected wide.
Just before the hour mark, Walker almost got his hat-trick. Again it came from a Byers corner, but this time his header was straight at the keeper. From McCondichie’s throw out, Stranraer broke quickly and there was a bit of a melee in the Brechin box before finally John Fraser scuffed his shot wide.
Brechin continued to search for a fourth that would wrap up the points. Chris Templeman tried to acrobatically secure it in the 66th minute but he missed the target.
Five minutes later Steve Hampshire put in a dangerous cross for Templeman, but Kevin Gaughan managed to send it behind.
City should have scored in the 82nd minute when Ritchie sent Byers free down the right. His cross was perfect for Graham Gibson a few yards from goal, but he somehow put the ball over when it would have been easier to score.
Two minutes later though the elusive 4th goal was finally found. Kevin Byers played the ball wide to Steve Hamilton whose cross was headed home by Chris Templeman at the far post.
The victory was safe now so Dick Campbell made a triple substitution, taking off Winter, Byers and Gibson and replacing them with Jackson, McLeish and King. King was involved in a move that almost brought a 5th goal two minutes from time when he combined with Templeman to set up Paul Ritchie, but the shot went wide.

Overall, an extremely impressive win for Brechin. The result was very important because 7 points would have been a very nice lead for the men from Stair Park, even at this stage in the season. David Graham is undoubtedly their star player and a handful for any side in the division. A key part of their game is to try and find him early but as been mentioned elsewhere; you do wonder what will happen if he gets injured or a bigger club comes in for him.

Next week City have another tough game, away to Arbroath. Don’t be fooled by Morton’s comfortable win at Gayfield today - Harry will be looking to get one over his former club next week and they have definitely improved since he took over.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Arbroath 0 Morton 3

Good result for Morton against an improving Arbroath side. City travel to Gayfield next Saturday.

Ayr United 4 Alloa Athletic 3

Ayr edge a 7 goal thriller.

Dumbarton 3 Berwick Rangers 1

Dumbarton's form has picked up of late, while Berwick continue to struggle under Sandy Clark.

Stirling Albion 3 Forfar Athletic 1

Forfar's slide down the table continues while Stirling keep the pressure on City and Stranraer.