Match Report - By Brechin City FC

Montrose 0-2 Brechin City

Two quick second half strikes just after the hour mark from Ally Love ensured City's unbeaten start to their pre-season preparations continued. Following their 2-0 win over Spartans last Saturday and a midweek 0-0 draw with East Kilbride, City once again started with 3 trialists on show. Liam Watt was unavailable after breaking his wrist in midweek and new signing Isaac Layne was once again sidelined with a niggling groin strain.

City dominated the first half without creating any real clear cut chances though some of their passing play, particularly in the middle of the park, was pleasing on the eye.

The second half started with a change in the City goal with Graeme Smith (just back from holiday) replacing Paddy O'Neil who can now proudly boast 5 consecutive clean sheets. 'Buzz' was called into action almost immediately diving at the feet of the Montrose striker and blocking his goal bound effort. After this initial scare the second half took on the same pattern as the first with City dominating possession and creating a number of half chances.

The deadlock was finally broken on the 60th minute with Ally Love providing a deft finish to an Andy Jackson cross. Only two minutes later Ally added his second of the afternoon with a close range finish after the ball landed at his feet a few yards out after a deflection off a Montrose defender.

That proved to be the end of the scoring though the Montrose keeper had to make a couple of decent saves as the game progressed. Darren Dods rang the changes on the 75th minute replacing Pabs, Willie Dyer, Ally Love, Jacko and one of trialists, with Gary Fusco, Aron Lynas, Elliot Ford and two further trialists.

All in all this proved to be another good workout for City and a chance for the manager to run the rule over some new trialists.

The club will complete its pre-season programme with a home match against Premiership side Dundee at Glebe Park on Tuesday night (ko 7.45) with what will undoubtedly prove to be the biggest friendly challenge to date.