Despite going behind just after the half hour mark, City ran out comfortable winners in their penultimate pre-season friendly against Brechin Victoria yesterday afternoon.

It was a game in which Andy Kirk's men dominated from start to finish with only some fine goalkeeping and wasteful finishing keeping the scoreline down.

Despite missing a number of players, there was some positive news for City with Nathan Cooney named amongst the substitutes having been out with an injury since January.

The home side were first to threaten on 4 minutes when Ross headed wide from a Loudon cross and the same player came close again when he advanced forward with the ball before dragging wide.

Euan Spark almost came up with the spectacular on 17 minutes when the ball sat up nicely for an overhead kick in the box but it was straight at Cammie Winter.

A minute later Jamie Bain fired a low cross into the box which found Ross lurking at the back post but he blazed over. The attacks kept coming and Ross was perhaps unlucky not to win a penalty when his strike appeared to come off the hand of a Vics defender.

Owing to an impressive performance from Jordan Northcott, City were having much of their success down the right hand side. After 27 minutes Northcott provided a low cross which was poked towards goal by a trialist, but he couldn't get enough on it to threaten Winter.

On the half hour mark, a trialist cut the ball back for Fraser MacLeod on the edge of the box and his placed shot looked destined for the corner but Winter did well to tip round the post.

The visitors soaked up the pressure and took the lead against the run of play after 31 minutes. A long ball upfield was misjudged by the trialist goalkeeper and ZAC ARCHER nipped in to lob into the empty net.

City looked for an instant response with Northcott beating two players before firing past the far post, whilst Cruickshank shooting over from Bain's cross.

Two minutes before the break City eventually grabbed the equaliser that they deserved when Northcott teed up CAMMIE ROSS on the edge of the box and he calmly slotted into the corner.

On the stroke of half time, City got their noses in front. This time Ross returned the favour as he played a neat through ball for JORDAN NORTHCOTT who showed great composure to slide the ball past the advancing Winter.

Andy Kirk made one change at the break with Grady McGrath coming on for Euan Spark as City continued to lay siege on the visitors goal early in the second half.

Euan Loudon was incredibly unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet with an outstanding 25 yard strike which was pushed away by substitute Callum Barkworth.

Barkworth was called into action again from the resulting corner. Bain's delivery was met with the powerful header from Ross but the Vics keeper did superbly well to tip onto the bar.

A strike by Fraser MacLeod from the edge of the box was pushed away before Loudon saw his 20 yard free kick fly wide.

City made a double sub on 66 minutes with the two trialists being replaced by Lenny Wilson and Seth Patrick.

Substitute Grady McGrath really should have added to the scoring on 67 minutes when he exchanged passes with Ross inside the box and with just the keeper to beat, his left footed shot went inches wide of the target.

With 20 minutes remaining, City doubled their advantage. Cammie Ross played a forward pass for GRADY MCGRATH who turned a defender inside the box before lashing a low shot beyond Barkworth.

Two minutes later, McGrath played a clever one-two with MacLeod who was denied by the feet of the Vics keeper who was called into action again to keep out a strike from Seth Patrick.

With quarter of an hour to go, Ross had a shot pushed away before McGrath headed past from a Northcott delivery. The Vics stopper continued to be a busy man as he kept out a powerful drive from MacLeod.

Defender Nathan Cooney got on for the last 13 minutes as he is eased back from injury - he replaced Ewan Loudon.

On 84 minutes Seth Patrick was sent clean through on goal but he could only fire straight at the keeper. With 4 minutes remaining, Cammie Ross likewise got in behind the defence but was unable to keep his composure, firing wide of the far post.

City rounded off the scoring with a minute remaining through GRADY MCGRATH. Cruickshank made a fine run down the left before cutting the ball back for McGrath who made no mistake from 6 yards out.

Another very worthwhile workout for City as they lifted the Americas Cup ahead of our final pre-season friendly against Spartans next Saturday. We would like to wish Brechin Victoria for providing the opposition and wish them well ahead of their Midlands League campaign.

Brechin City: Trialist (Lenny Wilson 66), Jamie Bain, Kevin McHattie, Iain Davidson, Cammie Ross, Michael Cruickshank, Fraser MacLeod, Trialist (Seth Patrick 66), Ewan Loudon (Nathan Cooney 77), Jordan Northcott, Euan Spark (Grady McGrath 46).

Goals: Cammie Ross (43), Jordan Northcott (45), Grady McGrath (70, 89)

Brechin Victoria JFC: Cameron Winter, Ross Paterson, Ben Holmes, Jordan Will, Steven Smith, Sam Rogerson, Colin Lawson, Ben Mooney, Jakub Syzjut, Zac Archer, Ross Flight. Substitutes: Darren Elder, Ryan Smith, Max Brown, Mitchell Smith, Glyn Hodnett, Cameron Stewart, Lewis Renilson, Callum Barkworth.

Goal: Zac Archer (31)