Match Report - By Steven Mew

City made the long trip to Dingwall this afternoon to take on Ross County, who currently sit proudly at the top of the league. County have made an excellent start to the season under John Robertson, and are yet to be beaten in the league, however, like Brechin, they have tumbled out of both the Bell’s Cup and CIS Cup prematurely.

Ian Campbell had virtually a full squad to choose from, barring Gerry Britton who was suspended after his red card against Clyde last weekend. Pink opted to go for a back four of Paul Deas, David White, Scott Walker and Craig McEwan, who was back into the squad after missing out last week due to work commitments. The midfield consisted of Charlie King, Ally Mitchell, Kevin Byers and Craig Winter while Steven Hampshire and Paul Ritchie posed a threat upfront. Ross County fielded a strong lineup which included former City keeper Stuart Garden, who was well known for swinging on his crossbar! He might be a little old to do that nowadays though.

Ross County started the game brightly and had two glorious chances in the first few minutes. Mark McCulloch made an excellent run down the right hand side before supplying an inviting cross into the box but with no takers, and the ball went harmlessly wide. A minute later County had another excellent chance to break the deadlock, Don Cowie this time supplied the cross for Maciej Mackowski who threw himself at the ball in front of the goal but couldn’t get the touch he needed to direct the ball into the net.

At the other end, Steven Hampshire went for goal from the edge of the penalty area but the ball was deflected for a corner. County’s excellent passing play was opening up the Brechin defence and only the heroics of Craig Nelson kept the scoreline blank. Don Cowie’s cross from the right hand side was met by John Rankin, whose powerful header was superbly saved by ‘Nelly’.

Brechin soaked up the pressure and had a chance of their own at the other end. A shot from outside the box by Kevin Byers whistled past Stuart Garden’s right hand post before County opened the scoring. A long ball from defence was latched onto by Alex Burke, and with the City defence claiming for offside, the experienced striker coolly rounded Nelson before slotted into the net from an awkward angle.

Minutes later Brechin had the ball in the net as Craig Winter lobbed Stuart Garden but the linesman had already raised his flag for offside. As the first half drew to a close, Ally Mitchell had a powerful drive comfortably saved by Stuart Garden before Paul Deas had a go from outside the box but his effort finished well over the bar. Maciej Nackowski then headed over from 6 yards out at the other end.

The second half didn’t provide as much entertainment as the first, as the game started to turn a bit scrappy. Brechin started playing some decent football and created the first real chance of the second half. A corner from the right hand side fell to Scott Walker who had time to think about a shot but instead delayed the shot and his lay-off was intercepted by a County defender. Walker was once again in the thick of the action a minute later when his drive was ripped over the bar by Stuart Garden.

On the hour mark, County came close to adding a second goal as Nuckowski set up John Rankin on the edge of the box but his shot was charged down by a Brechin defender. Ten minutes from time Paul Ritchie broke free on the right and his dangerous cross went right along the face of goal but there were no takers.

City started piling on the pressure in the last ten minutes or so and Walker came close to getting an equaliser from a corner from the right hand side, but his header went narrowly wide of the goal, and Alex Burns was next to try his luck but his shot from the edge of the area trundled wide. In the dying seconds County came close to wrapping the game up, David Winters broke free and his shot was well saved by Craig Nelson, who tipped the goalbound shot round the post.

Once again, not the best performance from the boys in red but they played some good football at times and the defence held tight for most of the game. City have still to lose by more than one goal but have yet to record a win, so three points are vital at home to Stranraer next week-end at Glebe Park.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 1

Hamilton Academical 1 Airdrie United 1

Accies and Airdrie share the spoils.

St Johnstone 1 Dundee 1

The Saintee's and the Dee's also share the spoils in the Tayside Derby.

St Mirren 2 Clyde 0

Comfortable victory for St Mirren who keep the pressure on County at the top.

Stranraer 0 Queen of the South 0

A drab, goalless affair at Stair Park.