Match Report - By Keith Johnston

Brechin manager Ian Campbell made one change to the team that lined up against Morton last Saturday. Cup tied Stuart Callaghan dropped out, replaced by Kevin Byers. Steve Hamilton who broke his nose at Morton was deemed fit for action. Youngsters Blair White and Ryan Strachan were on the bench to ensure City had 2 players under the age of 21 in the squad, in keeping with Tennent’s Scottish Cup rules.
Hibs boss Tony Mowbray showed that he was not underestimating City, by putting out a full strength eleven.

In the 4th minute Hibs had the first decent chance of the game as Derek Riordan crossed for Garry O’Connor, but his effort was off target.
Brechin responded with a Charlie King break down the left, but his cross eluded the City strikers.
Scotland international Gary Caldwell then tested Craig Nelson with a shot from range in the 10th minute. City’s keeper was equal to it with a diving save.
Three minutes later, Charlie King won a free-kick in a dangerous area. Paul Ritchie took the set-piece, finding Simon Brown well placed to make the save.
With 15 minutes on the clock, it’s was a case of so far, so good for City. Ian Campbell’s side had enjoyed good spells of possession and Hibs had not really looked like scoring.
Then, City worked a good move down the left with Hampshire and King in the 17th minute. Hamps’ ball inside found Byers, whose shot was deflected behind for a corner.
With 20 minutes on the clock, Craig Nelson was forced into a superb save. Beuzelin’s shot was powerful and headed for the net, but City’s keeper pulled of a brilliant diving block to deny him.
However, City were caught out in the 23rd minute. Paul Deas was outpaced by Sam Morrow down the Hibs right. Morrow cut inside, leaving City’s left back on the ground, and slammed his shot into the top corner. The goal was well taken, but City were caught out a bit too easily.
A rare slip at the heart of the home defence almost let Craig Winter in for a quick equaliser, but he was off balance and put the shot well wide.
On the half hour mark City were enjoying a good spell of possession which cumulated in a through ball for Charlie King, but Brown came out to block. Hibs then looked to break quickly and City were exposed when Riordan broke down the left and crossed for Garry O’Connor. He had a simple tap-in for 2-0. A move that had started with Brechin on the attack finished with Craig Nelson picking the ball out of the net.
City were fortunate to escape conceding a third in the 38th minute. Scott Walker and David White got into a bit of a mess, allowing O’Connor to pick out Shiels. His shot went narrowly wide though.

City got to half time trailing by two goals to nil. The Brechin players had kept the ball well and everyone looked composed on the ball. Hibs though are a different class of opposition to what Brechin are used to and in fact they were often at their most dangerous when City were attacking, because of their ability to break out at pace and find the killer ball.

Brechin had the first good chance of the second half. Kevin Byers showed good skill to find Charlie King and his effort was well saved by Brown.
Craig Winter then had an effort on goal from long range, but it was well off target.
However, Brechin were caught out again in the 57th minute. City’s players appealed for offside, but Garry O’Connor collected the through ball, got it under control and picked his spot in Nelson’s bottom corner. The players complained bitterly to the assistant about the offside, but I think O’Connor was in line with Paul Deas who had not stepped up with the other defenders. Brechin had been looking ok up to this point in the half, but Hibs clearly have that extra bit of quality when it matters.
Things went from bad to worse for Brechin in the 63rd minute when Hibs got a fourth. Sadly, it was another simple goal with the ball being crossed to an unmarked Gary Caldwell at the far post. His header looped over Nelson and in.
Brechin responded with a Charlie King run and shot from range, but it was again well off target.
Craig Nelson was forced into a good save in the 74th minute. O’Connor found Dean Shiels whose shot was tipped over the bar by City’s number 1.
The dangerous Rierdon and O’Conner double act almost got Hibs another in the 81st minute, when they combined down the left. The latter’s shot was straight at Nelson on this occasion.
Charlie King then went on a run that included a nut-meg of Steve Whittaker, but his shot was straight at Brown.
Kevin Byers, for me City’s best player on the day, had a good run and shot in the 86th minute, but Brown was able to watch it go wide.

Overall, a decent display by Brechin but Hibs just had too much. City had a few efforts on goal but Hibs team is full of international class players and they deserved the win. Hopefully the City fans enjoyed their day out and can look forward to a return to form in the league against Arbroath on Wednesday.

Other Results - Tennent's Scottish Cup Round 4

Aberdeen 2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1

The Dons end their bad recent run to overcome Inverness.

Alloa Athletic 0 Livingston 1

A narrow win for Livvy against an in-form Alloa team.

Ayr United 0 St Mirren 2

St Mirren's win ensures the cup interest of all three second division clubs is ended.

Hearts 2 Kilmarnock 2

Killie snatch a late equaliser to force a replay.

Queen of the South 0 Dundee United 3

Dundee United do the business early in a game many were predicting they could lose.

Ross County 0 Clyde 0

Stalemate at Victoria Park means these two will need to play again.