Match Report - By Keith Johnston

Following their impressive victory over Stranraer last week, City made the short trip to Arbroath for a local derby at Gayfield. The Red Lichties were comfortably beaten in the meeting between the two sides at Glebe Park in September. However, they have improved under Harry Cairney and Dick Campbell knew his side would be in for a tougher match this time round.

Brechin got off to the perfect start. In the 6th minute, Graham Gibson broke down the left. He assessed his options before playing a low ball across goal for Paul Ritchie who dispatched the ball past Neil Inglis and into the corner of the net.
Six minutes later, Brechin came close to doubling their advantage. A Kevin Byers corner was headed goalward by Scott Walker resulting in a bit of a stramash in front of goal, but the danger was eventually cleared by Arbroath.
The early stages of the game saw neither side take control, but Brechin were creating the more concrete opportunities and a slip by Jamie Bishop almost let Chris Templeman in, but he failed to hit the target.
The home side responded with a good run down the left by Greig Henslee. He got past Steve Hamilton too easily and passed inside to Alan Brazil, but his shot was comfortably dealt with by Craig Nelson.
With ten minutes remaining in the half, Arbroath had another chance to equalise. Alan Brazil found himself trying to force the ball goalward from about 8 yards out, but a combination of David White and Craig Nelson denied him. The home support appealed for handball against White, but referee John Rowbotham was having none of it.
So City went in ahead at half time, but they hadn't really stepped out of 1st gear, having got the early goal.

Early in the second half, Brechin almost scored a carbon copy of their opening goal. Gibson ran down the right and crossed low, but this time nobody was on hand to supply the finish and the ball drifted harmlessly wide.
Arbroath went up the park almost immediately and had a chance of their own. Kevin McMullen's cross found Greig Henslee, but his shot was off target.
Steve Hampshire was next to go close with a nice run and shot, but Neil Inglis was well positioned to save. It may have been a better option to pass to Chris Templeman who was in space on the far side.
Just before the hour mark, Brechin were given another warning when Alan Brazil got away from Scott Walker and David White, but fortunately his shot didn't do the skill he had used to make the chance justice.
There was then an unsavory incident which saw three players booked. Scott Walker committed a foul at the edge of the box that caused a fracas between Craig Winter and Alan Brazil, resulting in all three players receiving a yellow card. The home support were calling for Winter to be sent off after he appeared to raise his hands to Brazil, but in truth it was just handbags and John Rowbotham showed good common sense to keep everyone on the pitch. After all this was settled, the free-kick was wasted by Gavin Swankie.
Midway through the half, Brechin had a couple of chances in succession to get the crucial second goal. First Graham Gibson had a shot from the edge of the box saved by Inglis at the second attempt, before a Byers corner resulted in another goalmouth scramble in which Walker and Gibson came close to scoring. This came shortly after Dick Campbell had put Graham Gibson up front and Chris Templeman on the wing. It was noticeable that Gibson's performed much better after the switch and he looks much more at home as a striker than a winger.
However, City weren't really on the top of their game and were made to pay in the 69th minute when Arbroath drew level. John Cusick crossed for Kevin McMullen who was unmarked at the far post and he neatly picked his spot in the corner of the goal.
This clearly fired Brechin up and within minutes the lead was restored. A ball over the top found Chris Templeman on the right. He crossed for Graham Gibson who rose above the defender and headed home.
It looked as though that was going to be enough to get Brechin the three points. As the game drew to a close the players went for the time-wasting in the corner tactic, although from such play Charlie King - on as a substitute for Hampshire - managed to get past McMullen to create a shooting opportunity, but his effort was wayward.
But with 90 minutes on the clock, slack play in the middle of the park by Paul Ritchie gave Arbroath possession. This eventually led to a high ball over the top that was misjudged by Steve Hamilton, allowing Alan Brazil to cross for Duncan McLean who bundled home the equaliser.

Overall, a game which Brechin could have easily won had they been prepared to take matters by the scruff of the neck and get themselves a couple of goals for a cushion. As it was, they only really looked on top form when Arbroath got their first goal, and that only lasted for the two minutes it took to get the lead again. It is all well and good settling for a narrow victory, but in two of the last three games, this has proved costly because of late goals being conceded.
Next week Brechin have what, on paper at least, should be an easy game against Glasgow University in the first round of the Scottish Cup. But as someone once said, football matches aren't played on paper and City fans will certainly be hoping the game is wrapped up long before the 90th minute next Saturday.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Alloa Athletic 2 Berwick Rangers 2

Two of the division's struggling sides battle out a 2-2 draw.

Forfar Athletic 2 Ayr United 3

Another defeat for Forfar as Ayr leave Station Park with all three points.

Morton 3 Stirling Albion 0

Convincing win for Morton against Stirling.

Stranraer 1 Dumbarton 0

Stranraer extend their lead at the top to three points following Brechin's slip-up.