Arbroath - Brechin City Preview

City travel the short distance to Gayfield tomorrow afternoon to take on near neighbours Arbroath and no doubt the players will be itching to get back into action after the postponement of their last four league games.

The heavy snow which affected much of Angus this week gave Arbroath a miss and the Gayfield pitch is in perfect condition ahead of the third City-Lichties game of the season.

City boss Ray McKinnon has a full squad to choose from apart from midfielder Craig Molloy who remains sidelined, while opposite number Paul Sheerin has a doubt about skipper Stuart Malcolm.

The first match between the sides took place at Gayfield on 6th October with City under the temporary charge of Andy Millan and Kevin McGowne after Jim Weir's departure the previous week. A goal after 24 minutes from Alex Keddie gave the hosts a 1-0 half-time lead and although David McKenna equalised for City six minutes into the second-half, late goals from Paul Currie and Derek Holmes sealed the points for the Lichties.

The return match at the Glebe on Boxing Day saw City gain revenge for the defeat at Gayfield in a five-goal thriller. A Malcolm own-goal after just eight minutes gave City the advantage and a Paul McLean goal ten minutes before the break doubled their lead. Although Arbroath player-boss Sheerin. reduced the deficit after 61 minutes, Alan Trouten restored City's two-goal advantage four minutes later before a Steven Doris penalty in the 64th minute completed the scoring.


The results of the last six games for both sides were (Brechin and Arbroath scores first) were :-

Brechin City

15/12 Queen of the South (A) 0-1
26/12 Arbroath (H) 3-2
29/12 Stranraer (A) 2-0
2/1 Forfar Athletic (A) 4-1
5/1 Alloa Athletic (H) 3-2
12/1 East Fife (A) 2-2

Goals For – 14 Goals Against - 8

Arbroath

29/12 Albion Rovers (H) 2-1
2/1 East Fife (H) 2-0
5/1 Queen of the South (A) 1-5
26/1 Forfar Athletic (H) 3-1
2/2 Stenhousemuir (A) 0-1
9/2 Albion Rovers (A) 1-0

Goals For – 9 Goals Against - 8

Tomorrow's game will be handled by 43 year old Stephen Finnie who will be officiating at his first City match of the season.