Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin welcomed promotion contenders Hamilton Academical to the Glebe today for the opening game of the 1st Division campaign. Before kick off, City were presented with the 2nd Division Championship flag from representatives of Bell’s, sponsor of the Scottish Football League. As the players were running out, they were applauded by Hamilton players, officials and supporters, and of course the Brechin faithful as the flag was unfurled.

Ian Campbell more or less stuck with the team that defeated Clyde after extra time in the Bell’s Cup last weekend. Craig Nelson was once again between the sticks, Craig McEwan and Gary Bollan was at right and left back respectively and the two centre halves were Scott Walker and Paul Deas. The midfield consisted of Charlie King, Ally Mitchell, Grant Johnson and Graham Gibson, who played on the left wing. ‘Hammy’ and Paul Ritchie started upfront.

It was a fairly quiet opening to the game with both sides passing the ball about. The first real chance of the game fell to former Clyde striker Paddy Keogh, who struck the ball wide of the goal, but Nelson had it well covered.

Brechins 1st chance arrived a few minutes later. Good link up play from Craig McEwan and Stevie Hampshire on the right hand side saw 'Hammy' get into the box before cutting the ball back for Paul Ritchie, whose shot was well blocked. Brechin then started to play some nice football and a corner from Ally Mitchell on the right was headed over by Scott Walker.

Charlie King received the ball in his own half before flighting the ball towards Steven Hampshire, who turned and struck the ball towards goal but sadly went well wide of the target. But just minutes later, Hamilton went up the park and scored an excellent goal. The ball was passed around neatly and the ball eventually fell for John Robertson inside the box, who swept the ball past the despairing Craig Nelson and into the corner of the goal.

That was a little harsh on City who played good football beforehand, but they didn’t get too downbeat and started creating more chances. Brechin missed a glorious opportunity to equalise mid-way through the first half. Stevie Hampshire took the ball inside the Hamilton box and went for goal, but his shot was parried by Accies goalkeeper Dave McEwan into the path of Charlie King, who somehow dragged the ball wide of the post when it looked easier to score.

The last chance of the half fell to Ally Mitchell, who stuttered on the ball before having a crack at goal, but the veteran’s shot went well wide of the goal. The two teams went in at half time with Brechin probably on top after some late 1st half pressure, but Hamilton were on top earlier on in the half.

Into the second half, Brechin were still piling on the pressure. A cross from Craig McEwan on the right hand side was headed over the bar by Paul Ritchie, before Grant Johnson’s low shot was spilt by Hamilton goalkeeper Dave McEwan and the ball was cleared to safety by the Accies defence.

Graham Gibson came close after he was set up by Hampshire just outside the box before City finally got the equaliser they deserved. Grant Johnson was played through on goal and had time to run forward, but instead struck the ball from outside the box which curled into the corner of the net.

Charlie King started to shine in midfield and came close twice. Firstly a shot from outside the box which went wide of McEwans left hand post, and then a run that saw him get past keeper Dave McEwan before slamming the ball into the side netting.

The chances just kept coming but Brechin couldn’t get the ball in the ‘pokey’. Grant Johnson had another crack at goal which screamed past the post, while new recruit Alex Burns had a shot which sailed over the bar after being set up by Hampshire.

In the last few minutes the City rearguard withstood some pressure from Hamilton as they went in search of an unlikely winner, and much to the devastation of the home support, they found it three minutes into stoppage time as Lee Hardy struck into the far corner from an awkward angle to send Accies fans wild.

Huge disappointment at the final whistle, it was a game that Brechin dominated for spells but just couldn’t get the ball in the net, but all credit to Hamilton, both of their goals were well worked and well finished.

Look on the bright side, two seasons ago we were thrashed 4-0 away to Ross County, and started the campaign rock bottom of the table. This time we lost narrowly to a side hoping to challenge at the top of the table, and Brechin are currently in 7th place, where we never reached for the whole of the season last time in Division 1. The signs are encouraging the say the least.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 1

Dundee 3 St Mirren 2

Dundee edge out fellow promotion rivals St Mirren in a thrilling encounter.

Ross County 3 Clyde 1

Last weeks opponents Clyde comfortably beaten by Ross County.

St Johnstone 4 Queen of the South 0

Promotion hopefuls St Johnstone get off to a flyer against QoS.

Stranraer 1 Airdrie United 0

Stranraer win the opening game against Airdrie, not the best of news for City fans.