Airdrieonians - Brechin City Match Preview

Brechin City will head to Airdrie on Saturday hoping make it into the 4th round of the William Hill Scottish Cup at the expense of the Diamonds.

City boss Darren Dods will welcome back Robert Thomson into the squad for Saturday's match after the ex Dundee United and Dunfermline striker suffered no ill-effects after coming on as a sub for the last ten minutes against Stenhousemuir but David Bates who has been in outstanding form since joining on loan from Raith Rovers has been recalled by Fifers boss Ray McKinnon who has seen his squad whittled down to the bare bones recently because of injuries. On a positive note, Alloa Athletic have given permission for Isaac Layne to play and that will be very welcome news for City supporters who have been so impressed with the striker since his arrival at the Glebe. Willie Dyer who received two successive yellow cards in the closing stages of last Saturday's match will be available tomorrow but will miss next Saturday's league clash against Dunfermline at East End Park.

The two sides have met twice in the league so far this season with Gary Bollan's men coming out on top on both occasions, albeit by a single goal.

On 22nd August at Glebe Park, two late first-half goals from Bryan Prunty gave the visitors a 2-0 half-time lead and although City fought back after the break with Andy Jackson pulling a goal back with just under twenty minutes to go, City, despite late pressure, just couldn't rescue a point.

It was another close encounter in the return game at Excelsior Stadium two months later when a goal from Liam Watt a couple of minutes into the second-half was enough to ensure three home points.

Like City, the Diamonds have lost their last two matches going down by 2-0 to Dunfermline a fortnight ago while league leaders Ayr United inflicted a 3-0 defeat last Saturday. Both sides will be eager to put recent defeats behind them tomorrow afternoon and with a place in Tuesday afternoon's 4th round draw up for grabs there's everything to play for.

The referee for tomorrow afternoon's game will be Dumbarton based Euan Anderson who has been a Category One ref for just over two years. Euan will be handling both clubs for the second time this season having been in charge when City went down to a 2-0 defeat from Ayr United at Somerset Park in the opening round of the League Cup in August whilst he was also the man in the middle for Airdrie in the same competition three weeks later when they were defeated 5-0 by Rangers in the second round.

If a replay proves necessary after tomorrow's match, it will take place at Glebe Park this coming Tuesday night (1st December) with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Admission Prices at Excelsior Stadium are :-

Adults - £10
Concessions - £5

Brechin City supporters will be allocated sections A, B and C of the main stand.

The Brechin City Supporters Club will be running a bus to the match which will depart from St Ninians Square at 10.30am. Please contact William on 07925227826 if you wish to book a seat.

Other Scottish Cup Matches Involving Angus Clubs

Cowdenbeath v Arbroath
Queens Park v Forfar Athletic

Next Brechin City Match

Dunfermline Athletic v Brechin City, Saturday 5th December.