So Brechin entered the second quarter of the season still without a win to their name and already facing an uphill task to stay in the division. They were dealt a blow when Alex Burns was ruled out for up to a month after suffering torn ankle ligaments in the previous match against St Johnstone. City travelled to play on the plastic pitch at New Douglas Park against Hamilton several days later, who had started the season strongly under Billy Reid. City were outclassed and outplayed in a 3-0 defeat and very rarely threatened the Hamilton rearguard.

Next up for City was a mid-week league match at home to Queen of the South, who were also struggling near the bottom of the table, albeit three points ahead of City. Brechin couldn’t afford to lose this match. Kevin Byers netted the opener just before the half hour mark but unfortunately an own goal by Steven Hamilton gave Queens a share of the spoils.


Dissapointment for City as they fail to beat Queens.

The season was rapidly becoming a disaster as once again City lost in their next match against Clyde at Broadwood. With City defence all at sea, Alex Williams netted the opener for Clyde on the half hour mark but an audacious 35 yard effort from Kevin Byers flew into the net to equalise for City. Brechin couldn’t hold on however and barely minutes later Clyde were back in front as wing back Michael McGowan netted the winner for the bully wee.

As if things weren’t bad enough for Brechin they were hammered in their next match at home to Ross County. Gerry Britton gave City an ideal start but a combination of lethal finishing and simply diabolical defending saw County go back to Dingwall with an easy 4-1 win. The pressure was really starting to pile on manager Ian Campbell after this simply awful performance.


County romp to an easy victory at Glebe Park.

City now had to take on league leaders St Mirren in a rescheduled match. The original fixture was postponed due to St Mirren participating in the Bell’s Cup final against Hamilton. City put in a much improved performance but still went down 3-2 to the table toppers.

City now faced a must win match away to Stranraer who were sitting comfortably in 8th place, 7 points above Brechin. A draw wouldn’t have been the end the world but a defeat would certainly have put one nail in Brechin’s coffin, even at this early stage of the season. Brechin thankfully managed to avoid defeat but once again they surrendered a lead as David Hamilton’s equaliser for Stranraer cancelled out Gerry Britton’s headed opener.

City had no distractions from the league as the proposed Forfarshire Cup tie against local rivals Montrose at Links Park was twice called off due to the frost.

A derby match against Dundee at Dens Park was now on the cards for City. Dundee had started the season disappointingly and were sitting in mid-table. City put in a great performance only to be beaten by a penalty from Simon Lynch, and not one person in the ground appeared to know what the penalty was given for. It was criminal that we didn’t take anything from the match.

City had one thing to cheer about as they were given planning permission for the erection of new floodlights at Glebe Park. With the floodlights planned to be in place for the start of next season the club look forward to a 'brighter future' at Glebe Park.

City couldn’t repeat that performance against St Johnstone in the next match. Similar to the match against Hamilton in October, City rarely threatened and defended poorly. Jason Scotland helped himself to a double as the Perth Saints ran out 4-1 winners with Gerry Britton netting a consolation for Brechin.


Jason Scotland celebrates his opener at Glebe Park.

The first half of the season ended with a 1-0 defeat at home to Hamilton with Alex Neil scoring the only goal early on. With Brechin still without a win, rooted to the bottom of the table and showing no improvement, City fans were already resigned to relegation.