Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City’s opening home league game against Stenhousemuir ended in a 0-0 draw, but despite the score-line, the match was entertaining and competitive, with both sides pushing hard for victory.

City had the bulk of the goal-scoring opportunities and will be disappointed at dropping a point at home against a team who were on a high after their 4-1 drubbing of First Division Dundee earlier in the week.

City made just one change to the side that beat Ayr last Saturday, with Charlie King replacing the injured Barry Smith in midfield.

Brechin nearly opened the scoring within the first couple of minutes when Paul McLean headed a King free-kick just past the post and four minutes later, King tried a shot from the edge of the box but Chris McCluskey saved easily.

David McKenna was next to try his luck but he blasted the ball over the bar from the edge of the box.

The visitor’s first chance came after 15 minutes when a Paul Quinn header was easily held by David Scott.

City almost broke the deadlock after 32 minutes when Rory McAllister fired in a tremendous right-foot drive which struck the cross-bar and was then cleared by the Stenny defence.

Stephen Thomson made space for himself down the left four minutes later and fired in an angular drive but it was well wide of the target.

A great run from McKenna in the first minute of the second-half saw him round the keeper but he dragged the ball too wide and his final shot hit the side-netting.

After 52 minutes, a superb Mark Docherty lob was tipped over the bar by McCluskey.

Docherty came close again after 63 minutes but McCluskey brought off another fine save.

The visitors had an opportunity after 74 minutes when Thomson flighted in a cross for Alex Williams, but Scott saved easily.

City came close again with five minutes remaining when a Docherty drive was blocked by Willie Lyle with claims that it had crossed the line but City players protests were waved away by referee Crawford Allan.

(To view the interview with Jim Weir after the Stenhousemuir game you can cut and paste the following link : -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLxC29XQ8hI

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