SUNDAY MAIL

Clyde 0 Brechin 3
Jan 24 2010 Ally Graham, Sunday Mail

BRECHIN boss Jim Duffy heaped praise on his side after they cruised past 10-man Clyde to stay in touch at the top.

The Bully Wee had keeper Callum Reidford sent off after half an hour for handling outside the box and City took full advantage as strikes from Rory McAllister, Mark Docherty and Gary Fusco sealed the points.

Duffy said: "Obviously we capitalised on their red card but at the time we were beginning to pass it well and creating chances. Consistency must be the key for us this season if we are to mount a serious challenge."

Clyde manager John McCormack said: "We brought in five new guys and had started okay. I thought the sending-off was a bit harsh but our goalie never started the match properly."

CLYDE F.C. WEBSITE

Clyde 0-3 Brechin City
Sat, 23rd Jan 2010 6:59pm

The Bully Wee suffered a disappointing defeat at Broadwood this afternoon, in a match that was heavily influenced by a controversial refereeing decision.

Clyde started with four new players in the team; Willie Kinniburgh and trialist Neil McGowan in defence, Adam Strachan (right) in midfield and John Stewart up front.

They helped Clyde make a decent start to the match, with only a lack of a better final ball preventing a good chance being created on a couple of occasions.

After half an hour though, a mistake by Callum Reidford was to prove costly. He caught an innocuous long ball outside of the box, but the referee felt that it was a clear goalscoring opportunity and sent the 'keeper off.

Trialist sub goalkeeper Scott Findlay was introduced for Connor Cassidy.

He was soon to pick the ball out of the net as Brechin capitalised on the advantage, McAllister's effort finding the target.

The second half also started badly as Docherty quickly made it 0-2 with a shot from the edge of the box and the match was virtually over as a contest when Fusco made it three with another shot from 20-yard range.

Clyde sub Steven Howarth came closest to getting a home goal but the visitors were comfortable in confirming the victory.

PRESS & JOURNAL

Clyde0

Brechin City3

JIM Duffy reckons consistency is the key to City’s hopes of Second Division title glory.

Despite being delighted at watching his team run over 10-man Clyde, Duffy knows his players have to deliver that level of performance week after week.

He said: “We were not perfect, but we were a lot sharper and I don't think anyone could deny we were worthy winners.

“Every team in this league is evenly matched.

“There are six or seven teams that could quite easily take points from each other but my only target is consistency.

“We're playing well just now and I know that if we can continue in that form then a few results can help us progress."

Clyde started this game brightly and former Hearts goalkeeper Craig Nelson had to save from Clyde's Willie McLachlan in the first minute.

However, from there on in it was one-way traffic as Duffy's men ran the show. The visitors were given a huge helping hand when Bully Wee keeper Callum Reidford was shown a straight red card after 30 minutes for handling the ball outside his penalty box.

Brechin took advantage eight minutes later when Rory McAllister chipped the ball over sub-keeper Scott Findlay for the opener.

Two minutes after the re-start McAllister turned provider when he set up Mark Docherty to double the Angus side's lead. And in the 56th minute Gary Fusco made it three and easy for Jim Duffy's side with a fine long-range effort.

Duffy added: “Obviously their goalkeeper getting sent off was important. Teams don't always capitalise on these situations but we did.

“We showed good discipline in our game; we passed the ball well, worked as a unit and did enough to get a good victory."

Goalscorer McAllister said: “We are good enough to be up there challenging, but we have to maintain some consistency and keep getting results."