Brechin City - Arbroath Match Preview

Brechin City entertain Arbroath at Glebe Park tomorrow in the first of a double-header of Angus derby fixtures with a trip to Station Park next Saturday to face Forfar Athletic.

Manager Ray McKinnon will be hoping that his players can bounce back from last Saturday's disappointing home defeat to an impressive Stranraer side but the manager will be without suspended defensive duo Graham Hay and Paul McLean.
Greg Cameron should come back into contention for a place in the starting line-up after completing two training sessions this week without any ill-effects although it seems more likely he'll be on the bench while Alan Trouten is perhaps another week away from a starting place after he completed a couple of light training sessions.

Arbroath manager Paul Sheerin will be hoping that his players put the disappointment of two successive defeats this week behind them after his team went down by 3-2 against Forfar at Gayfield last Saturday before being comprehensively beaten 3-0 by second-placed Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park on Tuesday night. The Arbroath boss has a full squad from which to choose his starting line-up with the exception of youngster Connor Birse who is still recovering from a cruciate ligament operation.

Games between the sides this season have been close with the Lichties winning the opening fixture on 31st August with now departed striker Lee Erwin scoring twice with Bobby Barr grabbing a consolation goal for City.

It was a reversal in fortunes at the Glebe at the end of October when City won by 3-1 with Graham Hay (pen), Andy Ryan and Derek Carcary scoring for City with Alan Cook grabbing the Lichtie's only goal. City also came out on top a week later in the Scottish Cup 3rd round tie at Gayfield with two second-half goals from Andy Jackson and Alan Trouten seeing the visitors safely into the next round.

The last match between the sides was again at Gayfield at the beginning of January when a Bobby Barr goal clinched an away victory.

City fans will obviously be hoping that their team can make it three victories on the trot against their near neighbours but the visitors will battle every inch of the way as they strive to close the gap on second bottom Airdrie.

Tomorrow's Match Referee is Craig Charleston who refereed the Rangers game at the Glebe in October.

The Match Sponsor is Brechin Golf Club while Lennie Johnson from Lerwick is sponsoring the Match Ball. Mascots are Leah and Lucy Wood.