Brechin City Football Club

Glebe Park, Brechin, Angus DD9 6BJ

Tel : 01356 623344
Email : secretary@brechincityfc.com
www.brechincity.com

St Mirren 1 Brechin City 0

Match Report - By Steven Mew

League leaders St Mirren inflicted a third narrow one-goal defeat on City this season as the Buddies stretched their lead at the top of the Championship to 11 points.

The Paisley side dominated the opening first period but fell away as the game went on as City ensured a nervy ending for the hosts with an improved second half performance.

Manager Darren Dods made just one change from the side that lost out to a stoppage time goal against Falkirk last weekend. New loan signing Kostadin Gadzhalov came straight into the side at the expense of Gary Fusco. Fellow new recruit Craig Storie was in the squad but had to settle for a place on the bench. Patrick O’Neil kept his place between the sticks after a positive showing against the Bairns last weekend.

City came flying out the traps and after just 10 seconds, Liam Watt received a pass from Mackin and drove forward before unleashing a shot which went high and wide.

That was as good as it got for City as the hosts went on to dominate the rest of the half. On 2 minutes a corner floated in from the right was met by the unmarked Gary Mackenzie but his goalbound header was blocked by Euan Spark.

Two minutes later Cammy Smith was next to have a go but his shot from range was easily gathered by O’Neil in the City goal. Shortly after, Liam Smith raced into the box before firing over the bar.

The home sides’ relentless pressure paid off after 14 minutes when they opened the scoring. Gavin Reilly was fouled around 25 yards out - KYLE MAGENNIS stepped up to curl the set piece over the wall which struck the underside of the bar before cruelly rebounding off the back of O’Neil and into the net.

The Buddies were hungry for more as skipper John McGinn’s shot from the edge of the box was palmed away by O’Neil but just a minute later City conceded a penalty when Gadzhalov bundled over a Saints player in the area. Ian McShane stepped up to take the spot kick but O’Neil made a superb diving save to deny him.

Undeterred by the penalty miss, St Mirren continued to pile forward in search of a second goal. James Dale conceded possession cheaply to Cammy Smith in midfield who came forward with the ball before unleashing a shot which stung the hands of O’Neil. The impressive Smith then teed up Liam Smith in the box a few minutes later but the full back struck powerfully over the bar from a difficult angle.

Five minutes before the break, Lewis Morgan laid a free kick off for Magennis but the midfielder could only drag his effort wide of the goal.

Shortly after the restart, St Mirren nearly doubled their advantage when Cammy Smith rattled the bar with a rasping shot from 25 yards.

City knew they had to improve and that they did. Just a few minutes later it was the visitors turn to hit the woodwork when Liam Watt’s stunning effort hit the inside of the post from outside the box.

Midway through the second half it was evident nerves were starting to set in for the Saints as City looked to take full advantage. Watt played a pass to Mackin on the edge of the box but the big striker could only strike wide on the turn.

Darren Dods made a tactical change on 68 minutes when Willie Dyer was replaced by Isaac Layne, the striker’s strength and work-rate would cause some problems for the St Mirren rearguard for the remainder of the game.

Mackin came even closer when another shot on the turn had Samson scrambling but the keeper managed to turn the effort away which looked to be sneaking into the far corner.

New signing Craig Storie made his debut 14 minutes from time when he replaced James Dale - the ex-Aberdeen midfielder made his presence felt just a few minutes after coming in with a crunching challenge in the middle of the park.

The game petered out in the closing stages and the last real action of the game came 7 minutes from time when substitute Jack Baird headed powerfully over the bar.

The full time whistle was met by a mixture of cheer and sighs of relief from the home support which confirmed just how difficult City had made it for them in the second half.

It’s home advantage under the lights next for City as we host Dunfermline Athletic at Glebe Park on Tuesday evening with a 7:45pm kick off.

Other Results - Ladbrokes Championship


Falkirk 0 Dumbarton 0

Sons fail to make ground on Falkirk.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 Morton 2

Fine win for the Ton in the Highlands.

Queen of the South 0 Dunfermline Athletic 0

Share of the spoils at Palmerston.

Result

24 February 2018
Paisley 2021 Stadium
Attendance: 4358
Kyle Magennis 15

Brechin City

19 Patrick O'Neil
3 Willie Dyer
6 James Dale
7 Callum Tapping
11 Liam Watt
15 Euan Spark
16 Callumn Morrison
17 Kostadin Gadzhalov
20 Sean Crighton
22 Dylan Mackin
29 Euan Smith
     
1 Graeme Smith
4 Gary Fusco
8 Finn Graham
10 Isaac Layne
18 Kalvin Orsi
25 Craig Storie

Substitutions:

  • On: Kalvin Orsi
    Off: Callumn Morrison ( 53 )
     
  • On: Craig Storie
    Off: James Dale ( 68 )
     
  • On: Isaac Layne
    Off: Willie Dyer ( 76 )
     

St Mirren

1 Craig Samson
4 Stephen McGinn
6 Gary Mackenzie
7 Kyle Magennis
10 Lewis Morgan
11 Cameron Smith
16 Ian McShane
20 Gavin Reilly
24 Harry Davis
25 Liam Smith
44 Adam Eckersley
     
21 Ross Stewart
2 Stelios Demetriou
15 Jack Baird
18 Ryan Flynn
26 Mark Hill
27 Danny Mullen
29 Myles Hippolyte

Substitutions:

  • On: Ryan Flynn
    Off: Ian McShane ( 60 )
     
  • On: Myles Hippolyte
    Off: Gavin Reilly ( 68 )
     
  • On: Jack Baird
    Off: Cameron Smith ( 78 )