Match Report - By Secretary

Brechin City inflicted Stirling Albion's first defeat of 2009, with a battling victory at Forthbank, which marked a great day for the club's strikers.

The victory gives City a seven point lead over fifth place Albion and a ten point lead over sixth place East Fife in the quest for the play-offs. City's win was also Albion;s first defeat of 2009.
Brechin were without John Ward on Saturday, the big defender having a hamstring injury and while skipper, Darren Smith, was on the bench, he was suffering from a toe injury.

Right from the first kick, conditions were visibly difficult for both sets of players. A lob up the field saw Jon Seeley and Craig Nelson get in a right mix up, only for Barry Smith to clear from off the toes of Martin Grehan when the goal was gaping.

Brechin had started slowly, but after McAllister was denied by save by Christie, with the big forward being robbed with a dive at his feet by the home goalkeeper, they took the lead with an exquisite through ball from Neil Janczyk. He picked out STEPHEN ETTIEN and the on-loan Hamilton Accies striker showed great pace, poise and balance racing into the penalty area before giving Scott Christie no chance with a low drive.

City could have been two up shortly after taking the lead. Fusco picked out Rory McAllister on the edge of the box and his clever attempt at a chip shot caught Christie off his line, but bounced the wrong side of the upright for City.

Brechin had been reasonably comfortable up until the loss of their first goal, which the conditions played a major factor in. A corner from the Stirling left weaved and whirled towards the City goal and despite Craig Nelson pushing the ball away, it was headed home by SEAN ROYCROFT. The City goalkeeper felt he was impeded, but the ref allowed the goal to stand.

An unfortunate injury to Liam Corr meant that the youngster had to limp off. He was replaced by Robert Dunn. Albion had the upper hand at this stage and Barry Smith and subsequently 'Doc' Seeley were called upon to clear a couple of in-swinging corners.

Albion took the lead, with a well-worked goal from the home side's perspective, but one the visitors could have avoided. Veteran midfield man John O'Neill was afforded too much space and room on the edge of the City box to stroke the ball home in the 35th minute.

Back came City and Ettien and McAllister always looked a threat, but were getting little in the way of service in the gale force wind. Willie Dyer's great cross from the left flank gave City hope, but Byers couldn't take advantage.

In injury time in the first half however another venture up the left flank by the City left-back saw him send in a delightful cross to the near post, which was bulleted home by the tireless RORY McALLISTER from about six yards out.

Having got back on level terms at the whistle, Brechin were forced into a change only 16 minutes after the game restarted as Neil Janczyk was replaced by Charlie King.

Albion's David McKenna and Robert Dunn linked to set up Martin Grehan for a header which went wide of Nelson's right hand post.

City went in front once again in the 68th minute as Kevin Byers cut in from the Brechin left and drilled in a low shot which Scott Christie fumbled into the path of STEPHEN ETTIEN. The wee Frenchman showed great composure, calmly side-stepping his marker six yards out, before firing the ball home. Two goals in his last two starts meaning Ettien has fast become something of a cult hero amongst City fans.

After taking the lead and with 22 minutes left, perhaps City expected a backlash from the home side. It never materialised however. City, with Smith and Seeley, solid at the back and Willie Dyer having a fine game at left-back, always looked slightly more likely than the lack-lustre home side to add to their lead.

In the closing stages, Referee Steve McLean lectured Albion's Stewart Devine for kicking Ettien. The City forward leading the home side a merry dance at times.

With three minutes left. A “peely-wally” looking Ian Nimmo, who had been sick at half-time, was replaced by Steven Canning.

City won a late free-kick, but chose to pay it short to Ettien to keep possession, rather than put the ball into the box. However, they needed have worried, as Brechin comfortably held on to their slender lead in the second period.

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Alloa Athletic 2 Arbroath 0

Peterhead 2 East Fife 0

Raith Rovers 0 Ayr United 1

Stirling Albion 2 Brechin City 3