Match Report - By Steven Mew

MICHAEL O’Neill and Gareth Evans celebrated their first win in charge at Glebe Park as City deservedley picked up their first away win of the season at Dens Park – the only surprising aspect of the game was that City didn’t win by five or six!

The City manager, as promised shuffled his pack once again, with Danny Grainger in for Paul Deas at left-back, Ally Mitchell and Stuart Callaghan replacing Grant Johnson and Kevin Byers in midfield and Alex Burns partnering Steven Hampshire up front, with Charlie King dropping out.

Steven Robb was prominent in terms of possession early on for the home side, but his display was mirrored by his team-mates, who often saw the ball, but rarely in areas that would hurt Brechin. So much so, that when City had a right go at the Dark Blues in the second half, Robb ended up almost playing as a left-back.

City had threatened early on through Hampshire and Smith and they took the lead with a goal that showed up gaping holes in the heart of the Dundee rearguard. A throw in from the right bounced in front of Alex Burns and “Toastie” cleverly headed the ball backwards and beyond the reach of the helpless Scott Murray.

Dundee were slack at the back and Brechin should have increased their lead when Mann headed the ball past his own goalkeeper, but Hampshire’s effort hit the side netting. City pushed forward again and a great run from Darren Smith, who had a fine game on the left side of midfield should have ended up with a better finish. The wee man’s approach work was superb, but his shot curled the wrong side of the post.

Brechin hadn’t looked in any danger for the entire first half, but having missed a couple of chances to build upon their lead, Dundee produced what was to be City’s only real fright of the night. Steven Robb's corner was directed goalwards by Stuart McCluskey but crashed off the bar with Nelson beaten, the ball was scrambled in the direction of McDonald who thrashed in a great strike which was pushed away by Craig Nelson, this time the ball fell to Steven Craig who hit a low shot which came off the inside of the foot of Craig McEwan on the line and the ball bounced to safety.

If City were expecting a backlash in the second period it never materalised. In fact they produced chance after chance themselves to kill the game out of sight.
A Mitchell corner from the right was fired through a posse of players only to rebound off the kneecap of Steven Hampshire on the Dundee goal-line! If “Hamps” had miss-hit his attempt at hooking it in it may well have been 2-0.
Then Ally Mitchell was fouled 35 yards from goal and from the free-kick, Davie White, a candidate for the Man of the Match award, headed past the post from close range.

Alan Kernaghan introduced Gary Brady, Simon Lynch and Craig O’Reilly to no avail. The City defence, with White and Walker looking solid, didn’t look like conceding. Brechin threatened again when Darren Smith’s composure took him skipping past Paul Dixon and he put Alex Burns through on goal, but a horrendous bobble as Burns bore down on goal, saw the striker fire over the bar with Murray to beat

David Hannah rarely lost a tackle in the engine room and with Grant Johnson getting a run for Darren Smith (69) and Graham Gibson for a much sharper looking Steven Hampshire (88). City held on with something to spare.

The reaction of both sets of supporters at the end of the game summed thing sup. The home fans booing their team from the field, while the City fans, many of whom have stuck with the side through thick and thin this term, gave their team rapturous applause.

The most pleasing aspect of all was that fact that Michael O’Neill has clearly made an impact. His players responded superbly and did everything that was asked of them. Attitude and commitment from the City squad being spot on from start to finish.