Match Report - By Eoin McNicol

A goal either side of half time saw City end the Viaplay Cup on a high after beating Clyde 2-1 at the ZLX Stadium last night.

Ewan Loudon and Grady McGrath were both on target as Brechin took home all 3 points, with Clyde’s quick reply to City’s second goal not enough for them to deny City the win in Hamilton.

Andy Kirk continued to rotate his squad before returning to league action on Saturday, making 4 changes to the starting lineup following the defeat to Cove Rangers last time out. The changes saw Lenny Wilson return between the sticks, as well as Chris Mudie, Michael McArthur and Stuart Heenan coming in for Cruickshank, Patrick and Moreland.

Clyde started the game the brighter of the two sides. An early corner for the hosts just 2 minutes in allowed the ball to break to Barry Cuddihy who side footed a shot towards goal and forced a fine stretching save from Lenny Wilson. The rebound fell favourably to Cameron Mulvanny at the back post where Wilson was quick to get over to make the superb double save with his chest.

Clyde threatened again in the 12th minute as Kian Leslie showed his pace to break away from the City midfield before playing Cameron Mulvanny through on goal with a great ball. Mulvanny’s touch slowed down the attack before he laid off Leslie who continued his run and shot goalward, but his shot was deflected wide of Wilson’s goal for him to gather.

Brechin began to grow into the game after the opening 15. Fraser MacLeod had space to run in Clyde’s half before having a pop himself from range, but the keeper was able to get behind his low effort. City kept piling on the pressure, Marc Scott managed to put in a lofted cross from the byline which fell to Grady McGrath who opted for the first time volley which was wide of the target.

Clyde started to knock on the door again - Jon Craigs powerful effort from distance was deflected off of Euan Spark’s back, taking the sting out of it for Wilson to hold with ease. Lenny was forced into a couple more routine saves over the next 10 minutes, but Clyde couldn’t capitalise on any of their chances.

A formation change half an hour in saw Marc Scott move back over to his usual position on the right wing, and the switch almost paid dividends instantly as Scott put in one of his usual dangerous crosses. Just a minute later Brechin showed great football on the right with nice play from McGrath and Scott before a through ball to Loudon was cut out by the Clyde backline.

35 minutes in, a Clyde corner was whipped into the 6 yard box where Wilson punched clear and collided with Lewis Martin and a Clyde attacker, where Clyde took the opportunity to make an early change unrelated to the player who was down.

Right on the stroke of half time, Brechin took the lead through EWAN LOUDON after getting on the end of Chris Mudie's cross. The striker was left completely unmarked in the middle of the box as he guided his header into the left side of the goal away from Neil Parry who was rooted to the spot.

Brechin came out from the interval looking to add to their lead straight away and managed to do so after winning a corner from Spark’s deflected header at the back post. The corner was taken by Stuart Heenan who found GRADY MCGRATH - he nicked the ball in at the front post through the Clyde defender’s legs.

A lapse in concentration from City allowed Clyde an instant response as they halved the deficit just a minute later. EUAN CAMERON showed great composure with his finish as he side footed his shot into the bottom right corner after beating the City defence.

Euan Loudon and Grady McGrath showed great linkup all game, with the two nearly combining in the 54th minute after McGrath laid off Loudon outside the box, with his shot being dragged just wide of the left post. Loudon had another opportunity for his second 2 minutes later as he leaped to meet Marc Scott’s cross, but his header was off the mark.

It was end-to-end stuff an hour in as Clyde striker Martin Rennie nearly levelled the scoring after doing well to control the ball with his chest before his half volley was blazed over the crossbar. Loudon and McGrath linked up well again as Loudon opted for a cut back rather than a go himself inside the box, but Grady sliced his effort well wide of the post.

Around 70 minutes in, two Clyde free kicks in quick succession had potential to cause Lenny Wilson danger, but failed to hit the target on both attempts.

Four minutes from time, Seth Patrick lost possession in the middle of the pitch and gifted Clyde a late chance to equalise which they wasted. Dylan Duncan was picked out in the middle of the box from the right hand side, but he blazed the ball over the bar.

Overall, another good performance from City against higher league opposition where Brechin showed they can compete. Now the focus turns to the Highland League as we look to retain the Highland League title, with Formartine United the visitors for our opening fixture at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park on Saturday.