Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City moved to the top of the Second Division after an emphatic and deserved 4-2 win against Peterhead at the Glebe.

The highlight of a strong Brechin performance was a hat-trick from top scorer Rory McAllister who ran the Blue Toon defence ragged for much of the game.

Craig Molloy got the opener for City within the first couple of minutes but the visitors drew level from the penalty-spot eight minutes later with a highly controversial penalty from Dennis Wyness. Then came McAllister’s hat-trick before Martin Bavidge pulled a goal back for Peterhead in the last minute.

Manager Jim Weir made just one change to the side that won 3-1 at Dumbarton with Paul McLean replacing David White, who dropped to the bench, at right back.

Ewan Moyes who had been rated as doubtful with flu-like symptoms just before the match was in his usual place in central defence.

City went on the attack from the outset and they went a goal up in just under two minutes.

McLean sent a long pass forward into the Peterhead penalty area. McAllister got his head to the ball and nodded it down for Molloy who brushed off the challenges of a couple of Blue Toon defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The hosts were shocked though eight minutes later when the visitors drew level from the penalty-spot.

Graeme Sharp picked up a pass on the left touchline and moved swiftly into the City penalty-box where he was tackled by McLean who appeared to win the ball fairly. However, the City players and supporters were stunned into disbelief when referee Kevin Clancy immediately pointed to the penalty-spot and Wyness sent keeper Craig Nelson the wrong way with the spot-kick.

The equaliser seemed to take the wind out of City’s sails for a bit and the visitors came more and more into the game. Brechin though gradually regained the initiative and McAllister put them into the lead again six minutes before the break when he picked up a short pass from Molloy and superbly held off a couple of defenders before wheeling round and dispatching a low right-foot drive beyond the reach of Peterhead keeper John Bateman.

City began where they left off in the second-half and they went two goals up in the 58th minute. Picking up a pass from Mckenna, Rory bored in on goal before unleashing a tremendous right-foot shot which gave Bateman no chance.

City were now on easy street and McAllister completed a superb hat-trick in the 65th minute when he met a Neil Janczyk corner to power a header home.

At this stage of the game, City looked as if they were in the mood to bag further goals, but the visitors’ defence held firm and the Blue Toon reduced the deficit with virtually the last kick of the ball when Bavidge took advantage of hesitancy in the City defence to slot the ball beyond Nelson.

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