Match Report - By John Hoey

City maintained their 100% home league record with a narrow 3-2 victory over East Fife at Glebe Park.

Charlie King with a double, one from the penalty spot and Paul McLean were the City scorers while David Muir and Paul McManus (pen) were on the mark for the visitors.

The result means that City remain in second place in the Second Division table, five points behind leaders Stirling Albion.

Manager Jim Duffy made just one change from the side that lost 1-0 at Peterhead on Tuesday night. Mark Cowan dropped to the bench with Charlie King moving up to a striking position while Jon Seeley returned to central defence. Barry Smith had made a good recovery from the injury he sustained against Peterhead and was in his usual place.

City threatened in the 3rd minute when a long pass from defence from Smith found Rory McAllister in space, but the striker’s angular drive was well saved by Stuart Baillie.

City had been playing well in the opening minutes, but they were shocked after quarter of an hour when East Fife grabbed the lead.

McManus found himself in space on the right and sent a good cross into the box for the unmarked David Muir who made no mistake from around eight yards.

City though fought back and were level within three minutes.

Mark Docherty moved into the penalty-box only to be brought down by Jamie McCunnie and Charlie King made no mistake from the resultant penalty-kick.

Brechin should have grabbed the lead a couple of minutes before half-time when a wonderful pass from Neil Janczyk put McAllister in the clear, but the league’s top scorer shot against the keeper with the goal at his mercy.

The visitors seized the initiative after the break and took the lead from the penalty-spot in the 49th minute.

John Ovenstone appeared to be bundled off the ball in the box and McManus converted the penalty.

City pushed forward after this and exerted pressure on the East Fife goal but to no avail but the vital breakthrough came with just fifteen minutes remaining.

McAllister headed the ball across the goal for McLean who forced the ball over the line from close-range.

City now had the bit between their teeth and thy got the winner with just six minutes left.

Richard Walker collected the ball on the right and headed straight for the bye-line. He then delivered a perfect cross into the box for King, whose downwards header gave Baillie in the East Fife goal no chance.

Manager Jim Duffy said,

“ We created a host of chances and played some terrific football with the movement of the front two players superb.”

“ East Fife scored with their first goal-scoring opportunity and we then got back on level terms with Charlie converting the penalty after Mark had been brought down in the box.”

“ When East Fife took the lead again after the break, the stuffing was knocked out of us a little bit, and East Fife came more into the game and created one or two chances. We dug in and eventually settled down and we had further chances ourselves through Rory, Kris and Steven Canning, but it looked as if it was going to be one of those days.”

“ However, I was delighted with the equaliser and our winning goal was superb. Richard had a great run and sent over a terrific cross for Charlie who came in at the back post with a great header.”

“ There’s no doubt that the supporters are getting value for money. I would like to thank the Brechin supporters for coming along to every game but we need more people through the turnstiles and I would ask them to tell their friends to come along to the games as well.”

“ The team have been playing really good football so I would ask the Brechin community to come a long and encourage the team as they’re going to get good entertainment value.”

“ Both teams today played well and tried to entertain and again it was another good advert for the Second Division.”

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