Match Report - By Match Secretary

BRECHIN City ensured they remained ubeaten as the first quarter of the season drew to a close, following a convincing win over an Alloa Athletic side that battled all the way, but couldn't match City's efforts in the last third of the park.

Michael O'Neill stuck by the same eleven who defeated Raith Rovers, which meant that skipper, Darren Smith, had to settle for a place on the subs bench.

Brechin started the game very positively and Davie White almost got them off to the perfect start following a corner, but his effort rebounded off the foot of the post to safety.

Alloa certainly got stuck in during a game which was played in a great spirit, despite driving rain and a horrendous wind, which ended in glorious sunshine!

City continued to press andgreat link up play on the left flank saw King and Dyer make it into the Wasps' box, but Willie's parting effort, sailed just wide of the target.

Charlie King then cut in from the left flank and on to his right foot and he too went close to netting the opener. But his low drive was an inch or two wide of the upright.

Alloa weren't out of it at this stage, by any means and Graem Brown found space just inside the City penalty area and screwed a shot wide. Craig Nelson was then called upon to make his only difficult save of the game, after he had parried an initial shot, the big goalkeeper reacted superbly to keep out Andy Ferguson's effort from the rebound.

City got their noses in front in the 29th minute largely thanks to the efforts and awareness of Michael Paton. The on-loan Don found himself in space out on the left flank and he sent in an inch-perfect cross to Gary Twigg who picked his spot with a well-placed header into the bottom corner.

Ian Nimmo was next to try his luck and City forced a serious of corners, but couldn't take advantage of any of them as the visitor's defence stood firm.

The goal that put City in a strong position came after Michael Paton was brought down on his way into the box on the half-circle. Janczyk shaped up lkike he was going to take the klick was his left foot, but "dummied" it for Charlie King to curl a superb free-kick around the wall and into the net past a helpless Jellema.

The saecond half saw Alloa's Jamie Stevenson have the first chance, but he failed to take advantage of City allowing him space on the far side of the penalty area.

While Brown Ferguson did his best to prompt his team mates from midfield. Davie White and Co stood firm and while the game never had the same fluency as the first half had enjoyed, it was still a real contest.

Brechin were almost gifted a third goal when an Alloa defender passed the ball straight to Gary Twigg, who couldn't believe his luck. "Twiggy" probably should have squared the ball to striker partner Paton, but was obviously taken aback at being handed such an opportunity on a plate and hit the ball of Jellema.

Kevin Byers was next to go close for City. He cut in from the right flank and weaved his way past two defenders. But Dougie Hill saved his side with a great tackle just as the City man was pulling the trigger.

The third Brechin goal was worthy of the admission money alone and from a pure football perspective was the best of the lot. Brechin at their best, with the ball on the ground saw the ball played into Gary Twigg, who in turn laid the ball off to Charlie King. The wee man must have joined in City secretary Angus Fairlie's dancing classes of late, because he waltzed past three Alloa defenders before finishing superbly.

Following the third goal, Darren Smith came on for Kevin Byers.

The Wasps got themslves a goal back in the 75th minute. City had defended well for most of the game, but momentarily went to sleep at a corner. An initial effort was blocked, but big defender, Chris Townsley kept his composure to fire the ball home.

Brechin had a couple of chances to add to their tally in the closing stages. Darren Smith carved out a great opening for himself, but fired over the bar and then the City skipper did well on the left flank as he glided past a defender and cut in from flank and tried to find Charlie King at the far post, only for Hill to take the ball of the boot of the City man and deny him a hat-trick.

Neil Janczyk was voted the sponsor's Man of the Match and he beat off stiff competition from White, Twigg, Paton and King.

Speaking after the game, City boss Michael O'Neill said: "I have just congratulated the lads on their start to the season. But also told them that I still feel thee is a lot more to come from them in terms of our performances.

"It's not a criticism in any shape or form. However, I feel we need to be more clinical at times and we also have to look at three of the games we drew in the first quarter which should have been wins and ask ourselves where we could have been.

"Overall however, we are delighted with our start and we must ensure we maintain this sort of form for the rest of the season. While the players are having a day off next Saturday with the internationals, we will also be fitting in two games away from home against Stenhousemuir and Forfar Athletic. These games will be used to get the likes of Fusco, Adam Nelson Calum Smith, Darren Smith and anyone else who hasn't been playing regulary some match sharpness."