Match Report - By Steven Mew

City travelled up to Peterhead yesterday for the opening league game of the season to take on a Blue Toon side that narrowly missed out on promotion last season as they lost to Partick Thistle in the play-off final on penalties.

City started with Craig Nelson between the sticks and a back four of Craig McEwan, Scott Walker, Davie White and Stuart Ferguson. The midfield consisted of Darren Smith, skipper Steven Ferguson, Stuart Callaghan and Grant Johnson while Paddy Connolly partnered Chris Geddes upfront. Charlie King, Gary Bollan and Kevin Byers were out injured while centre half John Ward was suspended. Recent signing Ryan Pow started on the bench alongside trialist Richard Walker.

Peterhead’s recent signing Bryan Gilfillan went straight into the squad for the match although their dangerman Bobby Linn started on the bench.

Both sides have been tipped to finish in the play-off’s or near abouts come the end of the season and they both served up a thoroughly entertaining opening fixture with lots of end to end action on what was an excellent playing surface.

City were dealt a blow with only six minutes played when captain Steven Ferguson hobbled off to be replaced by trialist Richard Walker and he slotted in on the right hand side while Grant Johnson moved to the centre of the midfield.

The start of the first half was fairly uneventful, with both sides taking quite a while to figure out that floated balls over the top weren’t working due to the blustery wind.

Peterhead were the better of the two sides on the first half though, and they created several chances with the City rearguard looking a little shaky.

The Blue Toon created the first real chance of the game in the 24th minute when former Montrose winger Keith Gibson headed down for Martin Wood but his volley flashed past the post.

Brechin soaked up everything Peterhead could throw at them and created a couple of chances on the break with both Scott Walker and Stuart Callaghan striking tamely into the arms of the experienced Paul Mathers in the Peterhead goal.

The ref then blew for half time with Peterhead on top and City still to get out of first gear.

Peterhead took a deserved lead when they opened the scoring barely three minutes into the second half. Martin Wood sent Martin Bavidge scampering down the left hand side and his low cross went to the unmarked Keith Gibson at the back post, who had all the time in the world to pick his spot and drill the ball low underneath Nelson. It was disappointing to concede a goal which could have easily been prevented if Gibson had been marked at the back post.

The Blue Toon could have added another just a few minutes later but Craig Nelson made a great save to deny Graeme Sharp.

City’s heads didn’t go down and instead started to stamp their authority on the game and played some fantastic football on the ground, with Darren Smith in particular running rings round the Peterhead defence.

The Peterhead defence was looking increasingly shaky and the front two pairing of Paddy Connolly and Chris Geddes constantly put pressure on the centre backs which often forced them make mistakes.

City then got a deserved equaliser and it came after some scrappy play in the home side’s 18 yard box. The Blue Toon failed to clear their lines after a corner from the left and trialist Richard Walker capitalised when his mis-hit shot from the edge of the box went through a ruck of bodies and into the net.

Brechin continued to pile on the pressure with Smith pulling the strings on the left hand side. City same close when Paddy Connolly was played clean through but his touch was a little heavy and he couldn’t reach it before the on-rushing Paul Mathers who pounced on the ball at the second attempt after he spilled it originally.

A cross from the right hand side found Paddy Connolly at the back post un-marked his header was poor and went straight into the arms of Mathers while substitute Iain Russell’s header was also comfortably saved by the experienced stopper.

Despite Brechins domination in the second half, the home side created a number of chances on the break with substitute Bobby Linn causing a number of problems for the visitors. Linn came close with a left foot shot which was well saved by Craig Nelson while Dougie Cameron’s free kick was also kept out by the Brechin stopper.

Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages but neither could find the net and had to settle for a share of the points.

Overall, a good result for Brechin as Peterhead are always a difficult side to break down, especially at Balmoor. Darren Smith was fantastic on the left wing while David White was solid in defence.

Next up for Brechin is Morton at home in the first round of the CIS Cup.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Cowdenbeath 6 Alloa Athletic 1

Dream start for Cowden as they thrash the wasps.

Forfar Athletic 2 Stranraer 1

Forfar defeat an unsettled Stranraer side.

Morton 2 Raith Rovers 0

Comfortable home win for the Ton.

Stirling Albion 1 Ayr United 3

An impressive away victory for Ayr at Forthbank.