Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin travelled south to take on high flying Hamilton at New Douglas Park on Saturday, still look for that elusive first win they have been seeking for a quarter of the campaign so far. It was never going to be easy, as Hamilton are many people’s dark horses for the title this year, and have been on good form of late, progressing in the league and reaching the Bell’s Cup Final, where they will play St Mirren.

It was Hamilton who started the game brightly, keeping possession and rarely let City come out of their own half. It was City who conjured up the first chance however, when Grant Johnson fired his effort well over the bar and into the stand.

Hamilton continued to dominate the game but failed to register a shot on goal until the 15th minute when Accies eventually opened the scoring. Alex Neil, who proved to be a real thorn in the flesh for Brechin throughout the game, made a dazzling run from midfield which ended in him being fouled just outside the box by Scott Walker. Typical of City’s bad fortunes this season, Steve Hamilton took a place on the near post, but instead opted to go into the wall, Derek Fleming then stepped up to curl in a beautiful free kick into the corner Hamilton had just left.

The rest of the first half was a rather drab affair, but Accies continued to dominate possession but once again struggled in the final third of the pitch, while Brechin found it difficult to get out of their own half.

It was as early as the first minute in the second half when Accies effectively ended the game as a contest. Scott Turnbridge broke clear on the right hand side before squaring the ball for Alex Neil, who had the easy task of tapping the ball into the empty net with Craig Nelson in no-mans land.

The gulf in class between the two teams was becoming painfully apparent, as Hamilton continued to show their dominance. City had Craig Nelson to thank on many occasions for keeping the score respectable. Scott Turnbridge’s header was superbly saved by Craig Nelson just minutes before Accies put the icing on the cake just minutes later. Turnbridge was once again denied by Nelson, who could only parry the influential strikers long range shot, and the ball broke for experienced hit-man Pat Keogh, who rounded ‘Nelly’ before slotting into the net.

The game was becoming a contest between Scott Turnbridge and Craig Nelson, with ‘Nelly’ once again denying the striker with a couple of point blank saves.

Into the last 5 minutes, Brechin started playing some decent football as Hamilton took their foot off the pedal. Kevin Byer’s long range effort was comfortably saved by Accies ‘keeper Dave McEwan. Just to round off a miserable day for City, a low cross from the right hand side found Gerry Britton unmarked at the back post, who somehow blazed the ball well over the bar from a few yards out.

Overall, a disastrous and embarrassing performance from Brechin, Hamilton dominated in all areas of the pitch and coasted to an easy three points. City now take on fellow strugglers QoS at Glebe Park tomorrow night (Tuesday). Even at this early stage of the season, this is a must win game for Ian Campbell’s men.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 1

Airdrie United 1 Stranraer 0

Airdrie edge out Stranraer at New Broomfield.

Clyde 1 Ross County 0

The Bully Wee knock County off 2nd place.

Queen of the South 1 St Johnstone 3

Queens yet again slump to another defeat.

St Mirren 0 Dundee 0

The Saints and Dee's play out a goalless draw at Love Street.