Match Report - By Keith Johnston

Brechin secured the second division championship with two matches to spare thanks to today’s results. City themselves could only manage a point - but Stranraer could do no better, meaning the champagne was out again on the steps of the main stand. Berwick were fighting the cause of survival in the division, but in truth even their most diehard of supporters would admit that they were effectively down before a ball was kicked this afternoon.

The game, like the weather conditions, got off to a fairly dull start. The first effort of note came in the tenth minute as Steve Hampshire’s blocked shot fell to Steve Hamilton 30 yards from goal, but he put the shot well wide.
A couple of minutes later, Kevin Byers went on a mazy run but the final shooting opportunity fell to his left foot which brought an easy save for O’Connor.
With 16 minutes on the clock, Berwick had their goalkeeper to thank for keeping the scores level. A long throw by Steve Hamilton wasn’t dealt with by the defenders and Steve Hampshire’s effort was blocked at point blank range by O’Connor. It should have been a corner in the first place, after O’Connor scuffed a pass-back behind, but this was one in a long line of strange refereeing decisions. Far side assistant referee Ian Elmslie was officiating in his last game so we’ll let him off this error as he won’t make the same mistake again.
If there’s one noticeable weakness in Berwick, it is the ineptitude of their goalkeeper’s kicking. City fans will remember him gifting a goal on New Year’s Day, and he almost gave the same player – Steve Hampshire – another present in the 29th minute. Cowan’s pass was kicked against Hamps by the stopper, but fortunately for him the ball landed back in his arms.
Brechin were having the better of the first half play and if they had gone ahead I feel another two or three would have gone in.
But the Borderers didn’t want to be watching a championship party while themselves being relegated and looked certain to score when Gordon Connelly found Iain Little in the 40th minute, but Steve Ferguson made a superb tackle to deny him.
The resultant corner actually created a good chance for Brechin as they broke quickly through King. He looked up and picked out Ally Mitchell in space 30 yards from goal. “Bull” was perhaps guilty of shooting too early though and O’Connor made the save.
Moments later, Berwick took the lead. Iain Little got in behind the City defence and crossed for Kevin Gordon. His effort may have gone in off a City defender as Nelson scrambled across goal unable to prevent the ball trickling over the line.
Just before the break, McGarty’s clearance fell to Steven Ferguson on the volley but it went well over.
Not what the Glebe Park script writers had in mind, and in front of the Border TV cameras. Sadly there was no sign of local mob Grampian as their film crews were all out filming fishermen moaning about EU quotas. A pretty poor effort when the team getting relegated brings a film crew from the opposite end of the country, yet the 40 mile trip down from Aberdeen was too far for the local outfit to come and watch the championship being won. Perhaps the footage will make its way onto our screens at some point.

Brechin fans were hoping their team could come out all guns blazing for the second half and get two or three goals. It didn’t really happen though as Berwick are a well organised team that knew a win would keep them from being relegated (this week).
City looked to have a good break on in the 56th minute as Hampshire ran down the left, however it was abruptly ended by a cynical hack from Grant McNicol.
A few minutes later, James Sharp crossed for Hampshire, but his hooked effort dropped wide of the target.
City were finding it tough to get themselves going. To be fair their efforts weren’t helped by what was described on the terraces as “the worst refereeing exhibition of the season”. It was odd how every time a Brechin defender had the audacity to challenge a Berwick attacker for a high ball, the whistle was blown. However, it took until the 82nd minute for a Berwick defender to be penalised for pushing their arm into the back of Ritchie, Hampshire or Gibson despite committing the offence every single time.
Eddie Smith’s pettiness towards Brechin was summed up when he told Steve Hamilton to move back two yards for a free-kick on the half-way line, and blew the whistle twice in annoyance at Hamilton only going back a yard and a half. Hamilton could boot the ball into the middle of the cemetery if he wanted to, so what difference the referee thought it would make is anyone’s guess.
City had appeals for a penalty waved away (unsurprisingly) in the 70th minute. Steve Hamilton’s cross was met on the volley by Charlie King, whose effort was blocked by a defender. A corner was given, but King was appealing for a penalty as the ball appeared to strike the player’s outstretched arm.
Three minutes later Hamilton’s long throw was well met by substitute Grant Johnson on the volley, but O’Connor got down to make a good save.
Brechin then brought on Davie White for Ally Mitchell, and he made an immediate impact. James Sharp’s long throw was flicked on at the near post by Graham Gibson. The ball fell to White whose shot somehow rolled down his shin and into the net. Not pretty, but nobody was caring as it set City up for a frantic push to get the title clinching goal.
Moments later, City had the ball in the net again as Hampshire was played in, but the assistant’s flag was up for offside.
Brechin’s equaliser presented an interesting problem to Berwick who were, as things stood, set to be confirmed as playing in Division 3 next season. They came out and left a few gaps at the back in search of a second goal, almost getting it in the 78th minute as Cowan crossed for Darren Smith, but his effort hit the side-netting.
There were a few scrambled moments in the Berwick box though as City tried to get the goal that would send them up as champions. None more so than with three minutes remaining when O’Connor’s kicking let him down again. Graham Gibson was the benefactor this time and he was able to control and take the ball round the keeper. He then looked up and passed the ball towards the empty net. The City faithful were ready to go berserk, but Mark McGarty somehow came out of nowhere to clear off the line.
That was Brechin’s last good chance of the game, but there were one or two anxious moments at the other end. Fortunately, none of them came to anything thanks to good goalkeeping, good defending and poor finishing.
The result left City waiting to find out the final score from Ayr before the Championship party could start. After some delay, the 0-0 result was confirmed and City had won the league. There were similar scenes to last week with supporters on the pitch in front of the main stand, getting showered with champagne.

Overall, the game was a bit of a poor climax, but the main thing is that the league title has been secured. Well done to all concerned, there will be a few sore heads tomorrow morning. Mixed feelings for the Campbell family though, as Dick’s Partick were relegated into Division 2 today. Pink will be able to wave to his brother on the way past as mentioned in the press last week.

There are still two fixtures left in the season and hopefully City will be able to put in a couple of good performances now that the pressure is off. Next Saturday it is a trip to Stirling, followed by a home derby against Forfar to finish the season.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Alloa Athletic 3 Stirling Albion 0

Alloa confirm their place in Division 2 next season with a good win over Stirling.

Arbroath 1 Forfar Athletic 2

Arbroath now look in deep trouble as they are 3 points adrift with a poorer goal difference.

Ayr United 0 Stranraer 0

Stranraer seem to have lost the ability to score.

Morton 0 Dumbarton 0

Dumbarton hold Morton at Cappielow to give their survival hopes a huge boost.