Match Report - By Brechin City FC

PETERHEAD 0-1 BRECHIN CITY

An Andy Jackson strike on the hour mark secured a welcome 3 points for City at Balmoor Stadium. In a game which might have seen The Glebe Park side add to their goal tally, it was a crucial result as it saw Darren Dods' side maintain pace with their main rivals for the League One play-off places.

After a morning of heavy rain, the sky cleared just as the Brechin City team bus pulled into Peterhead, and by kick off the pitch had dried out, making it a good surface for both sides to enjoy a passing game.

The first 15 minutes were pretty uneventful, and while Brechin had the bulk of possession, neither goalkeeper was called into action. The next 10 minutes saw a flurry of activity at both ends of the park. First, Finn Graham cracked a shot from distance over the bar, followed shortly afterwards by a strike from Ally Love which was blocked on the six yard line.

Jordan Brown had the home side's first chance on the 18 minute mark but from a good position just outside the box he completely fluffed his shot and the danger was cleared. Two minutes later Andy Jackson chased what seemed like a lost cause but he somehow managed to dispossess Peterhead full back Aaron Comrie on the bye line and forced Graeme Smith into a sharp save. A quick counter attack from the home side allowed Nick Riley a look at goal but Buzz did well to smother his shot.

The home side were dealt a blow in the 23rd minute when their captain Steven Noble had to come off with what looked like a pulled hamstring, and his replacement Michael McMullin's first touch was to clear an Ally Love drive off the goal line. Andy Jackson was next to threaten when he headed a Liam Watt cross just wide of the goal.

In a frantic spell on the 30 minute mark, City created three chances in quick succession. First, after a good interchange between Liam Watt and Finn Graham, James Dale saw his shot deflected for a corner then, after another good build up involving Ally Love and Paul McLean, Dougie Hill's strike was well saved by the Peterhead goalie who had to be at his best just seconds later to keep out Finn Graham's shot from distance. The last chance of a first half in which City held the upper hand for the most part, fell to the hosts, when a Scott Brown drive was cleared off the line by Chris O'Neil.

The first chance of the second half came City's way when a cut back from 'Jacko' was met by the onrushing Liam Watt, whose strike from 10 yards was brilliantly parried by Smith. At the other end a Grant Anderson drive crashed into the side netting.

The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark. A City build up down the left side of the park culminated in Willie Dyer firing the ball into the box where it took a deflection and landed at the feet of ANDY JACKSON who was in the clear 6 yards out. He took a touch, and calmly stroked the ball passed the stranded goalkeeper.

For the rest of the game City were very much in control, and apart from Buzz sprinting off his line to grab a through ball, and a good block from Gareth Roger, who had replaced the injured Dougie Hill, Peterhead rarely threatened. In fact City could have increased their lead on several occasions and calmed the nerves of the 60 or so Brechin fans who had travelled to Balmoor Stadium for the game.

'Jacko' had two attempts well saved by the keeper, the first after an excellent run by Finn Graham, and the second from a through ball from Gary Fusco. The last chance of the game came with 3 minutes left on the clock. Yet another good pass from the energetic Finn Graham found Liam Watt in the clear, but once again Graeme Smith came to the home team's rescue with another fine stop.

All in all it was a very professional performance from City and an extremely valuable 3 points which lifts the team back up to 5th place with the opportunity of claiming a top four spot with victory over Airdrie in Tuesday's rearranged fixture.

A special mention to the travelling City supporters who gave the team excellent backing throughout the entire ninety minutes.

The only downside on an otherwise successful day was the injury to the influential Dougie Hill. At this point the extent of the injury is unclear but hopefully it will not prove to be too serious.

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