Match Report - By John Hoey

A Mark Docherty goal just on the half-hour mark was enough to ensure victory for Brechin in last night’s rearranged league fixture at Glebe Park against Stirling Albion.

The game was closely contested and hard-fought from start to finish but the City players showed great commitment and effort to deservedly take all three points.

The result moves City into third place in the Second Division table and they now sit just two points behind Cowdenbeath with one game in hand over the Fifers and five points behind leaders Alloa, with two games in hand over Allan Maitland’s side.

As expected, the Brechin line-up showed no changes from the side that had previously defeated Peterhead and Dumbarton away from home. However, with Jon Seeley unavailable because of work commitments and Alex Walker missing because of injury the City bench comprised only four players – Mark Cowan, Steven Canning, recent signing Terry Masson and keeper David Scott.

There was good play from both sides in the early stages and the first half-chance of the match came Stirling’s way in the 8th minute whena 20 yard drive from Scott Robertson was gathered easily by Craig Nelson.

Brechin had a good opportunity in the 17th minute when Rory McAllister raced clear of the Stirling defence but his chip shot was well saved by Myles Hogarth.

Brechin were certainly having the upper hand in terms of possession and pressure and they got their reward in the 30th minute when Mark Docherty opened the scoring with a great goal.

The midfielder collected a loose ball at the edge of the box before wheeling round to crack a terrific left-foot drive, which took a slight deflection, into the top corner of the net with Hogarth absolutely helpless.

The Binos hit back straight away, and a good run down the left flank from David O’Brien ended with the winger squaring the ball across the box for Stuart Elliot whose shot was dealt with competently by Nelson.

City continued on the offensive after the break and a great piece of skill from Kevin Byers when he juggled the ball past four Albion defenders brought great applause from the home support.

The visitors were trying hard to get back into the game but they were finding it extremely difficult to carve out any opportunities with the City defence, superbly marshaled by Barry Smith and Paul McLean, giving nothing away.

City though were causing problems for Albion on the counter-attack and Gary Fusco was unlucky to see a shot from the edge of the box well saved by Hogarth on the hour mark.

City had a great chance to put the issue beyond doubt in the 75th minute when a glorious pass from Byers found McAllister at the edge of the box, but the league’s top scorer delayed too long and the chance was lost.

The visitors were throwing everyone forward in the closing stages of the game but they rarely threatened Nelson in the City goal although the hosts had a narrow escape with a couple of minutes remaining when Richard Walker cleared an O’Brien chip off the line.

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Cowdenbeath 2 Arbroath 1

Cowden Come From Behind To Win

Dumbarton 3 Alloa Athletic 1

Leaders Lose At Dumbarton

East Fife 1 Clyde 1

All Square At Bayview

Stenhousemuir 2 Peterhead 0

Warriers Defeat Blue Toon