Match Report - By Grant Hood

Stranraer 0-1 Brechin City

CITY HIT THE TOP!

A 1-0 away win at Scotland's South West extremity of Stranraer propelled Brechin City to the summit of the League One table. A combination of a resolute defensive performance, allied to a decisive strike from City's Andy Jackson, saw the City faithful revel in a table-topping scenario which completely belies the expectations of the majority outwith the tight-knit Glebe Park Club.

Brechin City and their small but loyal travelling band of supporters made the near 400-mile round trip to face familiar opposition in the shape of Stranraer, a team sharing a league status for the fifth consecutive season. The home side were only a penalty shoot-out away from promotion to The Championship last season, and all of the Reds v Blues clashes last time around had gone the way of the home sides. Notably, the visitors had failed to score on each occasion.

In as pleasant a day as an ardent Scottish football fan could reasonably hope for in October, City started the game with the same starting XI which last weekend enjoyed success over last season's Challenge Cup finalists Peterhead.

In a largely non-descript first 45 minutes, most of the action took place in the Brechin City half, with keeper ‘Buzz’ saving well from a Craig Thomson cut-back and a low 25-yard free-kick from a Willie Gibson. The primary incident of note was driven by some impressive hold-up play inside the City box by striker Craig Malcolm, which suddenly allowed Giuliano Merena a one-on-one with Graeme Smith in the away goal. Happily for the Glebe Park side, ‘Buzz’ was able to block with his legs, and the ball squirted away to safety. City were forced into an early unplanned change with Darren McCormack replacing Elliot Ford who was forced to leave the field due to illness, and it was very nearly half-time before City caused any sense of discomfort to the home defence.

The Glebe Parkers did however start the second half on the front foot as, following a quick free-kick, Andy Jackson was felled in the box, but the claims of 'Jacko' and his team mates fell on deaf ears. Moments later driven crosses from Ally Love and Willie Dyer in quick succession put the home rearguard under pressure, but ultimately came to nothing.

The match entered a phase where niggly fouls and seemingly inconsistent decisions from the referee were the cause of consternation all round. This was fully illustrated in an incident where a back-tracking Ally Love was so incensed at a home player throwing himself to the deck, that he pushed his opponent to the floor again right in front of the referee, resulting in a caution and the award of a free-kick only a yard or so outside the box. Willie Gibson’s free kick struck the wall and City were fortunate to escape unscathed.

Following the customary flurry of second half substitutes for both sides, City broke the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining. Ally Love was fouled in midfield but, with Brechin breaking forward, the referee played advantage. Striker ANDY JACKSON gathered possession and, with neat footwork, created a shooting opportunity for himself and raced away in glee as his left foot shot nestled low in the corner of the Stranraer net.

The goal opened the game out, with the home side looking to move up a gear to create an equaliser, and City continuing their pressing game with a view to snuffing out danger at source.

The Glebe Park side saw out the remainder of the game without huge scares, although a notable contribution came in added-on time from City substitute Aron Lynas who came up with a timely block inside the penalty area just as home dangerman Craig Malcolm had unleashed a shot at goal.

So, 8 games in, City find themselves proudly perched at the top of the League One table, having made a clear statement of intent to their rivals. With an international break next weekend, early pacesetters Alloa Athletic are the visitors to Glebe Park in 2 weeks time for a game which brings the first round of fixtures to a conclusion – always a useful time to review progress to date, something Darren Dods and his coaches will doubtless be keen to do.

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