Match Report - By Match Secretary

City take the Stair way to Heaven

BRECHIN City returned from the south west of Scotland on Saturday having picked up a vital victory, which hoists them back to the third top place in division two and also keeps them in touch with leaders Raith and second placed Ayr United who are City's next two opponents.

Jim Duffy tweaked his side following the defeat against Stirling Albion, with Barry Smith making his first start for the club, since his loan move from Dundee and Duffy must have been delighted with the veteran defender's performance, as he organised and read the game brilliantly throughout.

There was also a first start for French loan-signing Stephen Ettien, who partnered Gary Twigg in the forward line. The other new arrival, Rory McAllister, was on the bench.

City started the game very positively and had Stranraer on the back foot from the off. Kevin Byers had the home goal under pressure in the second minute with a curling corner, which was eventually headed clear. However, back came Brechin again and in the fifth minute, Neil Janczyk tried to side-step his marker inside the box and was brought down and Gary Twigg made no mistake from the resultant penalty.

Stranraer fought their way back into the game, following what looked like a foul on Kevin Byers, they tried to hit City on the counter. However, Barry Smith intervened to mop up from Frizzell, following a cross from the left.

City went agonisingly close to making it two-nil following a great bit of skill from Charlie King. He picked the ball up on the left wing and cut inside, one, then two and finally a third defender, but sadly lost control of possession, allowing Stranraer goalkeeper, Scott Black, to collect at his feet.

The winger was then the unlikely target of a yellow card from referee Steve O'Reilly. After he was adjudged to have fouled his opponent in midfield. Charlie doesn't get a lot of cautions and he barely merited this one.

It was the 21st minute until Stranraer mustered an effort on goal and then Martin McBride shot over from 25 yards. However, the home side, to their credit, continued to try and pass the ball on the ground and Willie Dyer had to be alert to block a drive from Kevin Nicholl on the edge of the penalty area.

“Twiggy” was denied a second on the 30 minute mark, but again Black raced from his line to save his team, as the City man was about to fire at goal.

The home side's first attempt on target arrived in the 34th minute. Martin McBride found space 20 yards out, but failed to trouble City skipper, Craig Nelson, who made a very comfortable save.

A minute later and it was effectively game over and their were two vital components in the creation and finishing of City's crucial second goal. First of all, the trusty left foot of Neil Janczyk played an exquisite through pass for Gary Twigg. The City striker held off his marker, before cleverly lobbing Black for his 13th goal of the season.

Gary Fusco, who had impressed in the heart of the city midfield constantly breaking up the play and winning tackles, decided to let fly from 30 yards. Gary's effort sailed over the bar however. Stephen Ettien then had an opportunity to kill the game. The French man, who impressed by his intelligent use of the ball all over the field, got on the end of another top class pass from Janczyk. Stephen was denied his first City goal, as he hooked the ball inches past Black's near post.

Brechin started the second half as they had finished the first, on the offensive and another brave save from Black once again denied Ettien. The Stranraer goalkeeper pushing the ball away to safety as the City striker bore down on goal.

Charlie King was next to test the goalkeeper from distance. However, his well-struck drive whistled past the upright from 25 yards out.

The closest Stranraer came to a goal all afternoon, was by virtue of a shot from McBride, which deflected off a City defender and spun past Nelson's far post, with the goalkeeper beaten.

Kevin Byers went close to netting Brechin's third goal when he cut in from the wing and curled a tremendous drive, which was deflected for a corner. Janczyk took the corner and swung the ball towards the far post, where John Ward rose above everyone, but couldn't guide the ball downwards and he watch as his powerful header sailed narrowly over the bar.

Brechin carved out another great opportunity which was started by Dyer and saw Ettien first of all baulked out as he was about to shoot from close range. King then was denied from the rebound as the ball fell straight to him, only for Black to spread himself and deny City once again.

Kevin Byers was moved to the left flank by his manager and the move almost paid immediately as he cut inside McKinstry and curled an excellent effort just past the post, with the goalkeeper struggling to get across.

Scott Black once again came to his side's rescue and Charlie King, was once again, the unfortunate City player to be denied by a fine point-blank save from the goalkeeper.

With 18 minutes left, Stephen Ettien was replaced by Rory McAllister and it was almost a dream debut for the big Aberdonian. He got a clever flick on to a pass from Twigg, which was heading for the bottom corner, until Black clawed the ball away for a corner.

The third goal eventually arrived and it was worthy of winning any game. The only surprise was the it came with just 11 minutes left. Byers once again cut in from the left flank and hit a great right-foot curler, which bent right inside Black's far post.

Game over and City's players were clearly delighted to get back on winning ways. While they will come up against stronger opposition than Stranraer in the weeks ahead, Brechin did a very professional job in winning the points. All three new players can be happy with their contribution, with Barry Smith in particular excelling at the back. City were also well served by Fusco and Janczyk in midfield and Ettien and Twigg up front.

With Ayr United losing at Alloa, Brechin are back in the mix and good results in the next two games, could make this year's second division title race the best for many years.

Stranraer: Black, McKinstry, Noble (Connolly 75), Kane, Wilson (Cooksley 81), Nicoll (Murdoch 56), Danny Mitchell, McBride, McColm, McConalogue, Frizzel. Subs Not Used: Mutch, Watt.
Brechin: Craig Nelson, Walker, Dyer, Ward, Barry Smith, Janczyk (Darren Smith 84), Byers, Fusco, Twigg, Ettien (McAllister 72), King. Subs Not Used: Nimmo, Seeley, McCluskey.
Ref: Steve O'Reilly

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Alloa Athletic 3 Ayr United 2