Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City’s dreams of reaching the quarter-finals of the CIS Cup were ended by Motherwell who won by 2-0 in an entertaining game at Glebe Park.

Two goals from Jonathon Page, one in each half were enough to put the Steelmen into the hat for the quarter-final draw, but they were made to fight all the way by plucky City side, who gave their all from start to finish and if City had had a wee rub of the green in front of goal, then the outcome might well have been different.

Manager Jim Weir made a number of changes to the side that were beaten 3-1 by Livingston on Saturday.

Rory McAllister returned after suspension and there were also starting places for David White and Kevin Byers. Barry Smith, Charlie King and David McKenna who all started against Livi dropped to the bench.

City started well and Calum Booth just failed to connect with a McAllister cross into the box after three minutes.

Motherwell showed just what they were capable of four minutes later when Chris Humphrey made a great run down the right and crossed into the penalty-area, but fortunately for Brechin, there were no takers.

Keith Lasley tried a shot from the edge of the box four minutes later which was easily held by Craig Nelson.

Janczyk lost possession to Humphrey after 12 minutes and the winger again sent a dangerous cross into the box but the City defence managed to clear their lines.

However, the visitors took the lead with a good goal from Jonathon Page just four minutes later.

Ross Forbes delivered a corner from the left right into the middle of the penalty-box and Page rose well above the City defence to power a great header high into the net.

However, as the half wore on City had a couple of good chances themselves.

In 25 minutes, McAllister collected a great pass from Booth and bore in on goal but Darren Randolph was off his line quickly to narrow the angle and Rory sent his shot just inches past the far post.

Byers played a good pass across the edge of the box just four minutes later to Janczyk whose low drive went just past the target.

City started the second-half with McKenna on for Byers and they had a couple of great chances within the first four minutes.

A Booth shot from a great cross from Redman was tipped round the post by Randolph after 48 minutes and seconds later another great cross from the right from Redman was just missed by McAllister.

The visitors fought back though and a Nick Blackman 25 yard thunderbolt was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Nelson after 58 minutes.

City were pushing forward in an effort to get the equaliser but they were shell-shocked when Well doubled their lead in the 59th minute with an almost a carbon copy of their opening goal.

Forbes swung over a corner from the left and Page again powered a great header beyond the reach of Nelson.

Despite being two goals down, City continued to take the game to their opponents, and Craig Molloy and Gerry McGlaughlan had chances before a Booth shot from just within the box after 73 minutes was deflected for a corner.

With fifteen minutes remaining a long-range effort from Ewan Moyes went just past the post.

City were pushing forward and they were desperately unlucky not to reduce the deficit when a great run and cross from McAllister ended with McKenna striking the ball against the bar.


For Jim Weir's post match report copy and paste this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goWKWDAI4bw

Check out other BCFCVIDS Videos of other interviews and highlights from BCFC.

Other Results - CIS Cup Round 3

Falkirk 4 Hearts 3

Bairns Win Seven Goal Thriller

Rangers 7 Dunfermline Athletic 2

Gers Hit Fifers For Seven

St Johnstone 3 Queen of the South 0

Comfortable Victory For Saints