News -
8 December 2017
Brechin City v St Mirren: Glebe Park Passes Pitch Inspection
- By
Grant Hood
PITCH UPDATE:
Brechin City’s pitch covers have been in place from Tuesday and, having survived the strong winds during the week, remain intact. On Friday afternoon, reports from The Club indicate that the playing surface is soft underneath the covers, and optimism remains that no inspection will be necessary. An appeal has been made for local supporters to help remove the covers from 8.30am, and further information will be made more widely known during the course of the morning.
**MATCHDAY UPDATE**
Once the covers were lifted, The Club was delighted with the condition of the vast majority of the playing surface, albeit with a slight concern over one area of a goalmouth which was harder than the rest. Happily, following a 10.15am inspection, the pitch was passed as playable.
MATCH BUILD UP:
St Mirren visit Glebe Park for their first league encounter against City in over 11 years, looking to maintain their challenge at the top end of the league. A surprise 1-0 defeat last weekend to City’s fellow Championship part-timers Dumbarton doubtless hurt the Paisley side and their supporters, and The Buddies will arrive in town determined to get back on winning ways.
City’s previous home game saw a hugely creditable 1-1 draw against Dundee United which many neutrals acknowledge might well have gone the way of Darren Dods’ side. Since then City have endured two heavy defeats on the road to Inverness CT and Morton, and will be keen to get back to The Glebe with the intention of re-discovering the form displayed in the second half against United.
BRECHIN CITY PLAYER NEWS:
Squad news coming out of the City camp this week is, as usual, mixed. Dynamic midfielder James Dale is out – serving a one match suspension due to his yellow-card count. Whilst defender Ryan McGeever remains sidelined, striker Andy Jackson will continue his return to action following his 15-week absence – although a place on the bench seems the most likely scenario for the talismanic ‘Jacko’. Aberdeen loanee Connor McLennan, who missed the game at Cappielow last weekend due to an ankle injury, remains doubtful leaving the manager to make a late decision. Happily though, Ally Love is back in contention having been out of the squad for the last 3 games.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
The match will be refereed by Colin Steven, who has already officiated two City games this season – namely the opening day defeat at Queen of the South, and the 1-0 home reverse to Morton in October. He will be assisted by Alastair Mather and Ryan Oliver.
MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY:
The match is being kindly sponsored by Mrs Margaret Will, with local Ford dealership Guthrie Bros in Montrose sponsoring the Match Ball.
The Club’s Platinum Lounge is fully booked for the day, but supporters of both sides are reminded that free access is available to The City Club which is located within the David H Will Stand, inside Glebe Park. It opens at 1pm, and has free access to over-18’s subject to payment of standard gate entry – and is the venue for post-match BT Sport coverage of Newcastle United v Leicester City.
Look out for Brechin City’s Matchday Magazine “A View from the Hedge” which will be available for sale at each end of the ground, and look out too for the Supporters Club 50:50 Draw and The Whisky Draw.