Match Report - By Keith Johnston

Tonight Brechin took on Cowdenbeath in the first round of the CIS cup. Progress in cup competitions generates vital cash for the club so it was imperative that there was no slip-up against opposition from a lower league. Not to mention the fact that City went into the game still looking for their first goal of the season and perhaps were in need of a confidence boosting victory.

The game started as it would go on with entertainment at both ends of the park. Andy Carlin was the first goalkeeper to be tested as Grant Johnson tried a shot from range 4 minutes after the kick-off - the keeper able to gather at the second attempt under pressure from Paul Ritchie.
Disaster struck for City with 13 minutes on the clock. A low ball across goal eluded everyone but was met at the far post by Bryan Gilfillan who had an easy tap-in. If City fans were looking for someone to blame there were plenty candidates. David White was a bit lathargic in his efforts to prevent the cross, David Hay was nowhere and Jamie Smith could have cleared - although to be fair he was faced with the possibility that any kind of touch would almost certainly have meant an own goal.
Brechin replied with ex Cowdenbeath man Craig Winter being played in by Paul Ritchie, but he was unlucky to see the ball run away from him.
Still inside the first half an hour, Chris Templeman set up Paul Ritchie for a header which went narrowly wide, before Templeman had two shots from distance that went straight at the keeper.
But City were given another scare in the 31st minute when another low cross eluded everyone, but this time the ball was diverted wide off a striker for a goal kick. Nevertheless, this was a lucky escape as any kind of touch in front of goal would have been fatal.
Moments later, Charlie King crossed for Shaun Dennis to head goalward, but Carlan was equal to it.
Brechin stepped up a gear in the few minutes before half time in search of a goal before the interval. In the 38th minute, Templeman had a good shot from the edge of the box that had to be touched wide by the keeper.
City weren't to be denied though as Grant Johnson's deep cross was met powerfully by Chris Templeman at the far post, giving Carlan no chance, with four minutes left of the half.

City came out fired up after the break and enjoyed a bright spell in the first 15 minutes or so of the half. Chris Templeman twice and Charlie King had efforts on goal, that were either saved or off target. However, City were reminded that they had to be careful when, after 63 minutes, Chris Gray's dipping half volley from the inside left area went narrowly over.
City's supporters were screaming for the Blue Brazil to be reduced to ten men in the 66th minute. Charlie King's magnificent run was terminated emphatically by Innes Ritchie just when he was about to burst clear. Ritchie was shown the yellow card and it was only because other defenders were reasonably nearby that he avoided an early shower.
Despite Brechin's dominance, they were made to pay for slackness when Cowdenbeath took the lead again with 20 minutes to go. Gray got on the end of a deep cross and knocked it back for Mauchlan to tap home. The goal was certainly against the run of play, but Brechin didn't look secure at the back all night, so the visitors got what they deserved for their perseverance. Giving the ball away in dangerous areas is not acceptable and sometimes City need to abandon formality and just whack the ball to safety. Grant Johnson was the guilty party in the build up to this particular strike.
Dick Campbell made a double substitution in the 73rd minute and the result was immediate. Winter and MacNicol were replaced by Byers and Gibson and seconds later City equalised for the second time. Scott Walker knocked the ball down to Paul Ritchie who took it down and fired into the net. Paul's first goal of this spell with the club. The original cross came from Byers and Ritchie showed fantastic strength to hold of the defender's challenge.
Brechin finished the 90 minutes strongly and very nearly snatched a winner with the last kick. Charlie King found Kevin Byers 30 yards out but his rasping drive went inches wide of the post.

The game entered extra time and fortunately City were able to settle things almost immediately. Graham Gibson, who had already seen an effort go over the bar, put City ahead in the 94th minute when he was on hand to tap home after Andy Carlan had fumbled a Chris Templeman effort.
Two minutes later, it was 4-2 to City. Kevin Byers and Graham Gibson combined down the right and the latter's shot was spilt by Carlan. The ball fell to Paul Ritchie who made space and cut it back for Gibson to grab his second goal in as many minutes. An excellent impact for Gibby, although the goalkeeping wasn't the cleverest that's ever graced Glebe Park.
Cowdenbeath, to their credit, didn't give up and ex City striker Dene Shields got himself clear of Shaun Dennis in the 101st minute but David Hay saved well.

Into the second period of extra time and City looked to extend their lead in the 109th minute when Paul Ritchie was sent clean through by Kevin Byers, but a superb last ditch tackle by Darren McGregor saved the day for Keith Wright's side.
Kevin Byers and Kevin McLeish both had efforts on goal before City sealed the win in the last minute of extra time. Graham Gibson's cross to the far post was knocked up in the air by Paul Ritchie, allowing Chris Templeman to head past Carlan.

Overall, City deserved the victory but they always looked a bit uncomfortable at the back and could perhaps consider themselves a little fortunate, especially after going behind twice. A better side than Cowdenbeath could have made Dick Campbell's men pay for their sloppiness. However, City are in the draw for the second round - which is all that matters. Plenty to work on though and you feel the management team need to decide on their best team and stick with it for a while so the players can gel together.

Other Results - CIS Cup Round 1

Airdrie United 3 East Fife 0

East Fife prove no match for Airdrie United.

Berwick Rangers 3 Elgin City 2

Berwick narrowly overcome Elgin.

Dumbarton 1 Ross County 3

Ross County prove just too strong for The Sons.

Falkirk 4 Montrose 1

Darryl Duffy's good run continues as Montrose grace the new Falkirk Stadium.

Peterhead 3 East Stirlingshire 2

Peterhead overcome the side that are persistently the worst in senior football.

St Johnstone 2 Alloa Athletic 3

A great result for Alloa as St Johnstone fail to fire on all cylinders in the early stages of the season.

St Mirren 2 Forfar Athletic 5

Forfar are on fire at the moment with some excellent results over teams that might have expected to beat them.

Stenhousemuir 2 Arbroath 1

Contrasting fortunes for out Angus neighbours Arbroath as Stenhousemuir inflict another defeat.

Stranraer 2 Raith Rovers 1

Another good result for the second division as Raith are beaten by the men from Stair Park.