Match Report - By Steven Mew

Darren Dods and his City squad made the long trip north yesterday evening to take on Highland League champions Buckie Thistle in the first round of the Irn Bru Cup.

Many Brechin supporters will be familiar with Victoria Park with City’s 2-0 Scottish Cup win in 2011 still very much fresh in the memory. The victory resulted in a money spinning quarter final tie with St Johnstone, the replay of which having been screened live on Sky Sports.

The Jags have had a fairly indifferent start to the season but went into the game full of confidence after dishing out a 5-1 hammering away from home against Wick at the weekend.

Darren Dods made four changes to the side that fought back from a 2 goal deficit to draw with Livingston on Saturday. Ryan McGeever returned to the side having served a 2 match suspension in place of Sean Crighton who had been struggling with a knock whilst Chris O’Neil, Ally Love and Isaac Layne came in for Aron Lynas, Jordan Sinclair and Kalvin Orsi respectively.

City started on the front foot and came close to opening the scoring after ten minutes when Ally Love hit the woodwork with a looping header and just two minutes later Finn Graham had a shot deflected just past the post.

The visitors were not to be denied on the quarter hour mark as they made the breakthrough. A corner from the left by Ally Love fell kindly for skipper PAUL MCLEAN, who made no mistake by blasting the loose ball past keeper Daniel Bell from close range.

City continued to break forward and Isaac Layne had a long range shot over the bar having been teed up by Willie Dyer.

On the half hour mark Ally Love supplied an excellent cross for Andy Jackson but the striker could only guide his header straight into the grateful arms of Bell.

Buckie grew into the game as the half wore on and had their first meaningful effort when Drew Copeland broke clear on the right but his shot fizzed across the face of goal.

Sam Urquhart, who had come on for the injured Kai Ross just minutes earlier, was next to have an effort for the home side but his volley sailed well over the crossbar.

City went in at the internal with a goal advantage, however this was as good as it got for Darren Dods’ side.

The Jags started the second half with real intent and deservedly bagged an equaliser after 55 minutes. Midfielder KEVIN FRASER, having come on as a substitute just minutes earlier, drilled the ball low under the body of Graeme Smith and into the net.

With twenty minutes remaining, Liam Watt made a welcome return to action after breaking his wrist in pre-season, replacing Finn Graham.

City almost went ahead just minutes later when Ryan McGeever’s shot struck the outside of the post from close range after a scramble in the box.

However Buckie continued to look dangerous on the break and took the lead with just eight minutes remaining. Graeme Smith could only parry a shot from inside the box and the highly rated KEVIN FRASER, who has been on trial at Inverness CT of late, was on hand to notch his second by lifting the ball over the despairing arms of ‘Buzz’.

As a last throw of the dice, Kalvin Orsi replaced the tiring Ally Love and caused problems with his direct running at the Jags defence. With just minutes remaining, City pushed forward for an equaliser and Andy Jackson was unlucky to see his header go narrowly over the bar from Willie Dyers dangerous cross. Liam Watt was next to have a go when his shot was deflected wide from the edge of the box.

With time running out, Buckie almost put the icing on the cake when Sam Urquhart was played through on goal but he could only drag his shot wide of the post.

This proved to be the last chance of the match and referee Graham Beaton called time on an ultimately disappointing night for Darren Dods’ men.