Match Report - By Secretary

BRECHIN missed out on the opportunity of making ground on the league's top two, who met in Ayr, after losing by the odd goal in three in an entertaining match, that featured a candidate for 'Goal of the Season' from the home side.
Jim Duffy, clearly taking the state of the sodden Glebe Park surface into consideration elected to play with two men wide in Kevin Byers and Charlie King with Gary Twigg on his own in the striker's role.
The Albion were looking for their sixth straight victory and came to Brechin with their tails up after their eight-goal salvo at Stranraer a week past.

Both sides got stuck in from the word go and a throw in resulted with the ball breaking to John O'Neill who fired a low drive just past Craig Nelson's right hand post. Stirling kept up the early pressure and were soon rewarded with the opening goal of the game. A ball into the box was deftly touched on by David McKenna into the path of his strike partner Martin Grehan who drifted past a defender before drilling the ball past Nelson. The City skipper got his hand to the ball, but couldn't keep it out.
However, City responded in the best manner possible. Richard Walker picked the ball up about 50 yards out and started off on a mazy run that took him past three challenges, before he drew the goalkeeper and fired a low, crisp drive into the bottom corner. A goal any striker would have been proud of.
Kevin Byers was next to threaten for City. He cut in from the left and showed great balance and poise as he tried to curl the ball into the goalkeeper's far corner. With Stirling struggling to clear their lines Ian Nimmo created a chance inside the 18 yard box. However, his attempted lob was easily gathered by Christie in the Albion goal.
A Stirling counter then ended with John O'Neill playing a great through ball to David McKenna who clipped his shot over the advancing Craig Nelson only to see it drift past the right hand post. Byers was at it again when he hammered a 20 yard strike just over Scott Christie's bar. Gary Twigg was then the victim of a hasty decision by far side assistant referee Andrew Dallas. A misplaced pass rebounded off Albion's Roycroft and into the path of the City marksman, but he was wrongly flagged offside as he bore in on goal.
City were getting some joy from the flanks and there were some shouts of a penalty after Charlie King went down in the box. However, these were waved aside by referee Colin Brown. Gary Fusco and then Neil Janczyk had efforts blocked as Albion retained their tactic of trying to constantly catch City on the counter attack.

The last chance of a highly enjoyable first period saw Gary Fusco involved again. A free kick was floated to the far post and Fusco rose to head the ball towards goal with a clever glance. The midfielder's effort was fumbled by Scott Christie, who also managed to block from the rebound who was grateful to see the ball hoofed clear.

City started the second period well. But it was Chris Hamilton's shot was easily held by Craig Nelson, which was the first effort of the half. Charlie King had the chance to bring his side back into the game, but Christie dealt with his set-play easily.
The home side continued to dominate the second half and Neil Janczyk was only a few inches away with a clever effort, which flew past Christie's left hand post. Stirling manager Allan Moore was first to make a change when he introduced on-loan Dundee United midfield man Ryan McCord, who replaced Chris Hamilton.
Brechin failed to take heed of a warning after a ball into the City box was met by the head of David McKenna who somehow smacked a point blank header straight at Craig Nelson when it looked certain to score. However, with City failed to clear their lines the ball was curled back into the danger area from where Andy Graham guided a brave header past the helpless Nelson..

More good play between Albion twin strikers Grehan and McKenna ended with Grehan having a shot blocked behind for another Albion corner kick.
Brechin were far from out of things though and Scott Christie had to be at his best to tip over a looping Ian Nimmo header which looked to be heading for the top corner.
Jim Duffy made his first change with Gary Fusco replaced by on-loan Hamilton striker Steven Ettien. A long punt upfield saw Craig Nelson hesitate and David McKenna was able to get in a header which the City goalkeeper turned away from goal.
John O'Neill became the first player to be cautioned when he gave Ettien a robust welcome to second division football and followed it up with a bit of 'afters' and then when one verbal blast too many, which had ref Colin Brown brandishing a yellow card.

Former Queens Park winger Steven Canning then replaced Ian Nimmo as Jim Duffy tried to change things around once again. Hie counterpart Allan Moore also made some late switches as Martin Grehan and Stewart Devine made way for John Boyle and Mark Docherty.
City continued to have plenty possession, but Stirling defended stoutly and closed down quickly and made it difficult for the home side to create a threat of an equaliser. Subs Canning and Ettien both gave City some fresh impetus, but it was the visitors who held on to leapfrog City into third place on goal difference.
Brechin City: Craig Nelson, Walker, Ward, Seeley, Dyer, Fusco (Ettien 69), Janczyk, Nimmo (Canning 85), Byers, Twigg, King.
Subs Not Used: Murie, Barry Smith, McCluskey.
Stirling: Christie, Graham, Gibb, Roycroft, Lowing, Hamilton (McCord 57), O'Neill, Murphy, Devine (Docherty 89), McKenna, Grehan (Boyle 86).
Subs Not Used: Lawrie, Hogarth.
Attendance: 565
Ref: Colin Brown.

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Arbroath 1 Alloa Athletic 0

Ayr United 2 Raith Rovers 2

East Fife 0 Peterhead 3

Queen's Park 1 Stranraer 1