Match Report - By Grant Hood

CITY WIN BONUS POINT IN PENALTY SHOOT OUT

Brechin City went toe-to-toe against Scotland's fourth ranked team, and came out with a creditable draw against St Johnstone in a Group B game in this seasons re-vamped Betfred Cup.

City went on to enjoy a penalty shoot out victory, earning themselves a bonus point in doing so and keeping faint hopes alive of progressing through the group stages to the knock-out rounds.

Striker Andy Jackson headed City ahead in the first half and it took a late equaliser from Chris Kane with less than 4 minutes left to deny City what, before the game at least, would have been a win few would have predicted.

With two Saints spot-kicks hitting the woodwork in the Cemetery End shootout, it was Ally Love who had the joyous pleasure of slamming home the winning penalty for the Glebe Park side.

St Johnstone started the game on the ascendancy, enjoying much of the early possession without any significant goal threat – other than ‘Buzz’ in the home goal producing a fine point blank reaction save following a Joe Shaughnessy header. Just after the half-hour mark, Glebe Park fans were relieved to see shots from both Liam Craig and Craig Thomson ping narrowly wide.

Shortly after, City took the lead with their first attempt on goal. Former Saintee Andy Jackson gathered midfield possession and fed the ball to Chris O’Neil who made good ground on the right before delivering a delicious cross. ‘Jacko’ found space for himself between Saints’ two central defenders to rise and direct his header beyond the despairing reach of Zander Clark in goal.

Saints started the second half on the same positive footing, albeit with a visibly increased goal threat. The action was dominated for a time by a series of outstanding saves by ‘Buzz’ – exceptionally well supported by some effective and determined defending from a City rearguard showing much more resilience than displayed at Elgin only 3 days before. Coulson, Craig, Swanson, Kane and Murray were amongst those denied by the Brechin keeper, or defenders – or the heroic combination of both.

City were not out of this in terms of goal threat. A Gareth Rodger header from a corner was saved at the second attempt by keeper Clark, and a 20-yard effort from substitute Alan Trouten was deflected wide. A slick, probing passing move between Ally Love and ‘Trouts’ created a chance for ‘Jacko’ to shoot first time and notch a second and perhaps seal the game. Sadly for the City faithful, Clark in the Perth goal, put paid to that with a fine block.

Saints finally engineered an equaliser with only four minutes to go, when Chris Kane prodded home from only a yard or so out following a headed knock-down from Graham Cummins – who subsequently went close himself with a late drive only just wide of Buzz’s left post.

And so it went to both teams’ first Betfred Cup penalty shoot out in a bid to secure what might yet turn out to be a significant bonus point.

Both sides scored their first spot kicks through Dougie Hill and Danny Swanson. Willie Dyer nosed City ahead before Chris Kane’s effort struck the woodwork. Finn Graham was unable to consolidate this, seeing his effort well saved by Zander Clark low to his left, leaving Graham Cummins to restore parity. Alan Trouten scored with his customary aplomb putting the pressure on Michael Coulson who could only watch on in dismay as his well struck shot rebounded off Buzz’s right hand post. This left Ally Love with the opportunity to secure the bonus point which he duly did with a confident blast – to the delight of the City fans behind the goal in particular.