Match Report - By Keith Johnston

Brechin went into today’s game with the chance to take a massive step towards the Second Division title. Second placed Stranraer have so far defied their critics who thought they would slide away, although their form since Christmas has been patchy. Ian Campbell decided to bring Craig Winter and Paul Ritchie in for Grant Johnson and Graham Gibson, but otherwise the team was the same as the one that started at Dumbarton on Tuesday.

Brechin had the first chance of the game in the fifth minute when Paul Ritchie was played in behind the visitors’ defence, but a defender managed to get back and halt his progress.
Stranraer though needed to win this game more than Brechin and started very strongly. Twenty minutes in, Brechin had a let-off when a cross by Fraser Wright found Gary McPhee at the far post. He struck a powerful shot, but Paul Deas cleared it off the line.
Five minutes later, Brechin replied with a cross from Steve Hamilton to Paul Ritchie. He played a one-two with Craig Winter, but the resultant shot went wide.
Stranraer were doing most of the first half pressing and took a deserved lead in the 29th minute. The ball was played over the top for Paul McManus to chase. He out-muscled James Sharp – responsible for yet another goal – and slotted the ball past Nelson and into the net.
Shortly afterwards, Wright was played clean through by Allan Jenkins but he spooned his shot over the bar. Brechin were lucky here because it really should have been 2-0 – perhaps it would have been if the pass had found a striker and not a defender.
Brechin had the final effort of the half when Charlie King cut inside and shot, but the effort was well off target.
Stranraer deserved their lead at the interval because they seemed to be more up for it than Brechin.

It was a different story in the second half though as Brechin came out fighting. In the 49th minute, Stuart Callaghan supplied a dangerous cross that was headed behind by Danny Fox under pressure from Charlie King.
Callaghan took the corner and found James Sharp with an excellent cross. He made amends for his earlier error with a bullet header that was well saved by McGovern, but Steve Hampshire was in the right place to fire home the rebound - his 15th goal of the season.
Five minutes later, Stuart Callaghan supplied another brilliant cross, but this time David White headed wide.
On the hour mark, Brechin were awarded a penalty. Steve Hampshire was played through and he cut inside Murray Henderson. With Hamps set to beat him, Henderson tripped him up as they entered the corner of the box and the referee had no option but to point to the spot. Henderson and Kevin Gaughan then got involved in a heated discussion about the wisdom of the former’s challenge that resulted in them having to be separated. The referee took no action for that, but Henderson was booked for the foul. Just as Brechin were about to take the penalty, the linesman called the referee over for a chat, but no action seemed to result from it. All it perhaps did was put off Brechin’s penalty taker, Stuart Callaghan, who saw his effort tipped wide by McGovern.
All credit to Brechin’s players though. They got on with taking the corner and scored from it. Charlie King supplied the cross, Paul Ritchie flicked it on and Steve Hampshire was on hand to bury it from close range. A magnificent turn around.
Brechin almost extended their advantage in the 70th minute. Callaghan’s corner was met powerfully by the head of substitute Scott Walker, but McGovern made a good diving save.
Shortly after that chance though, Brechin were reduced to ten men. David White had already been booked in the first half for a foul and stupidly took his man out of the game when he appeared to be going nowhere. The referee had the easiest decision of his career and showed White his second yellow. This left Brechin with 20 minutes or so to defend their lead with ten men.
Stranraer tried to capitalise in the 75th minute with a bit of pressure from a corner, but it culminated in Wright blasting the ball well over.
The closest they came to equalising was with ten minutes remaining, when a cross from the left was headed towards the top corner with power by Paul McManus. However, Craig Nelson made a fantastic save to deny him.
As time ticked away, Brechin almost extended their advantage. Paul Ritchie showed there’s life in those old legs yet with a run to the byline, his cut-back just eluded Stuart Callaghan and Steve Hampshire’s follow-up was saved.
Stranraer were pushing forward looking for an equaliser and were leaving huge gaps at the back. Brechin nearly exploited that with a superb cross-field ball by Callaghan to the unmarked Hampshire. He cut inside but saw his shot saved by the keeper.
Most importantly though, there was to be no late concession and the referee blew for full-time with the score 2-1 to Brechin.

Overall, a good second half performance was enough to win this game and surely now promotion. Stranraer tried their hardest, but seem to have run out of steam of late and never really threatened Brechin after it went to 2-1. There were some fine individual performances with the likes of Hampshire, Ferguson and Callaghan (apart from his penalty miss!) all outstanding.

Brechin now sit six points clear of Stranraer at the top of the table, and 14 clear of third placed Morton (although they have a game in hand). There are no easy games between now and the end of the season, but realistically promotion is only there for Brechin to throw away now.

There are a couple of second division matches in midweek involving other teams. Alloa are at home to Stirling and Forfar play Morton at Station Park. City fans will be keeping an eye on those as Stirling and Morton are not out of promotion contention yet – especially with Stranraer looking shaky. Next Saturday, City travel to Recreation Park to face Alloa.

After the game, Ian Campbell’s brief comments were: "I am delighted with a haul of seven points for the week and I thought the players’ attitude was magnificent today."

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Arbroath 0 Morton 1

Morton leave it late to defeat Arbroath.

Ayr United 1 Alloa Athletic 1

Honours even at Somerset Park as Ayr begin life after Mark Shanks.

Dumbarton 1 Berwick Rangers 1

A late equaliser for Dumbarton denies Berwick all three points.

Stirling Albion 3 Forfar Athletic 2

Forfar still in deep trouble as Stirling win 3-2.