Brechin City Football Club

Glebe Park, Brechin, Angus DD9 6BJ

Tel : 01356 623344
Email : brechincityfc@highlandleague.com
www.brechincity.com

News - 27 February 2020

Brechin City v Stirling Albion - Match Preview - By Steven Mew

Having recorded two creditable draws in the last week, City will look to go one better tomorrow afternoon as we take on Stirling Albion at Glebe Park.

Our visitors tomorrow boast a fine away record, having won their last five matches on the road with their last away defeat coming against league leaders Cove Rangers in November.

TEAM NEWS
With the exception of Ross Brown who remains sidelined with a hairline fracture to his ankle, City are at full strength. Manager Mark Wilson said, "Usually after these midweek games you get one or two wee knocks but everybody is fine."

MANAGERS COMMENTS
Looking back to Wednesday's match against Queen's Park, Mark said "For the first 20 minutes there was no doubt that Queen's Park were by far the better team - we couldn't progress as much up the pitch as we would have wanted to. After that I thought we came into the game a wee bit and in particular we had an outlet on the right hand side through Olly Hamilton. We were much better after that initial 20 minute period.

"I thought we were magnificent in the second half. We came out and really took the game to them, we managed to get 10 yards or so higher up the park and got into some dangerous areas. We created one or two openings towards the end and it would have been nice if we could have converted one of our chances.

"I'm delighted again with another clean sheet and it's something that we can build on. We've got to be more solid defensively and with our shape in the last couple of games we've certainly done that - now it's about adding goals at the other end of the park. I thought we created more openings on Wednesday than we did against Edinburgh City at the weekend, so hopefully we can go one better tomorrow."

St Johnstone loanee Olly Hamilton shined in a slightly deeper wing back role and Mark was pleased with his performance. He said, "Olly has been playing off the right in an attacking sense all year in a 4-2-3-1 so even playing in a wing back role in a 3-5-2, it's not too much different. Even when he's playing in a more advanced position, he still helps his full back out. On Wednesday he was still expected to be our outlet as an out and out winger and he did that perfectly well."

Looking ahead to the match against Stirling Albion, Mark said, "I don't see us changing too much in any respect for Saturday as we have looked solid and everyone is comfortable with the formation. In Alex Petkov, we needed an out and out centre half to partner Jonathan Page and Dougie Hill and having him here is allowing us to play that shape. There may be changes in personnel but we will likely to be looking to keep the same shape."

MATCH OFFICIALS
Tomorrow's match referee is Graham Grainger. He will be assisted by Andrew McWilliam and Kevin Lindsay.

ADMISSION INFORMATION
Admission prices have been reduced for this fixture as part of the 'triple home deal', as well as the coming match against Annan Athletic on Wednesday. Prices are as follows:

- Adult £10
- Concessions £5 (Over 65's and Students)
- Kids go FREE (under 18's)

The City Club situated within the David H Will Stand will be open to both sets of supporters from 1pm (subject to payment of gate entry) and again following the game until approximately 8pm. The bar will be showing live BT Sport Coverage.

SPONSORSHIP
We welcome returning match sponsors Oilenco to Glebe Park, whilst the match ball has been sponsored by Gavin Hamilton. Many thanks for your support and we hope you all enjoy your day.

PREVIOUS MEETING
Stirling Albion 2-4 Brechin City - 7th December 2019
City ended a torrid run of results by fighting back from behind twice to earn a thoroughly deserved win against an in-form Stirling Albion side in December. It was a game in which City keeper Lewis McMinn stole the headlines as he netted an incredible goal from the edge of his own box to seal a crucial victory.

Some indecision in the City defence allowed Sean Heaver to open to the scoring for the hosts on 7 minutes, before Kieran Inglis equalised with a fine finish just after the half hour mark. Ex-City striker Dylan Mackin restored the Bino's advantage however Paul McManus levelled from the spot before the break.

A fine second half saw City go ahead thanks to a header from Paul McManus, before the main talking point arrived. Lewis McMinn's clearance from the edge of his own box bounced over Blair Currie in the Bino's goal and into the net to round off the win.