Match Report - By Steve Mitchell

FOR the first time in Dick Campbell's five seasons at the helm at Glebe Park, Brechin City won't be in the second round draw for the Bell's Challenge Cup.

While expectation levels against a side who were in the SPL last season were moderate, the travelling supporters were, at least, looking for a decent performance from their side, prior to the league season getting under way – it never happened.

City can have no complaints about the defeat, or its magnitude, however, a couple of incidents as half-time approached underlined the thin dividing line between success and failure. A goal down, City's Ally Mitchell crossed a great ball into the box, but Scott Walker couldn't divert his shot beyond the goalkeeper. Moments later, Brechin had four or five chances to clear their lines, yet Partick were allowed to score a very soft second goal right on the whistle and that left Brechin a mountain to climb.

Brechin had the first opportunity in just five minutes; Paul Ritchie got his head to a cross from Ally Mitchell, but deflected the ball narrowly over the bar.

The game's only real controversy came when assistant referee, Graham Hilland, allowed Partick's Jean-Yves Anis to run through on goal, despite being 10 yards in front of the nearest City defender. Davie Hay brought the Frenchman down, a penalty was awarded and justice was done when Jamie Mitchell's kick was well saved by Hay.

Poor defending at a set piece saw Brechin concede a 15 th minute lead. The time and space defender, Billy Gibson, was given at the far post to head home a corner left Dick Campbell fuming and rightly so. For a 20 minutes spell, it looked as if Thistle were going to really turn the screw; but City temporarily got some of their composure back. First of all Ritchie went close again with another header and then came Brechin's best opportunity of the afternoon. Mitchell, who found Walker coming in at the far post, cleverly picked out Steven Hampshire. He tried to place the ball beyond the reach of Kenny Arthur, but the goalkeeper collected his drive.

City were really made to pay for that miss when they conceded another sloppy goal on the whistle. Anis weaved his way in from the right, but never seemed to have the ball fully under control. There were more than a couple of opportunities for City players to clear their lines, sadly none were taken and the impressive Juan Romon Escalas was allowed to pick his spot from close range.

This was really the goal that effectively killed City off. Up until then, you always felt there was a chance of taking something from the game.

The second half was a bit of a let down once again for Brechin. Ten minutes in, the manager attempted to give things a lift with the introduction of Chris Templeman for Charlie King, but it was the home side who finished City off on 61 minutes. Most worryingly, this goal also came from a set-piece and Escalas gratefully accepted his second and his side's third goal.

Shaun Dennis was booked for a challenge on Willie Gibson and it was to be his last contribution to the game, as he was substituted and replaced by Jamie Smith in the 68 th minute. Steven Hampshire also went off, to be replaced by Graham Gibson.

Partick's Jamie Mitchell rounded off a bad day for him personally by missing two sitters. But the game was over as a contest by this stage. Although Graham Gibson who was put into the box by an intelligent Johnson pass, which he fired over the top and Chris Templeman, who dithered a bit on a McNicol cross at the far post at the death might have brought City some respite.

Putting the result in perspective, it was a poor performance from City against a side who will undoubtedly be challenging for a swift return to Division One. It would be an overreaction to go over board at this result however. And the City manager will be hopeful that his players haven't been reading too much into the second favourites tag that the bookies have given them, with half the Scottish media suggesting they will go one better.

Neither Campbell, nor anyone else from Glebe Park, has said they will win an immediate return to Division One. And with the league campaign starting on Saturday against a side who have already wiped the floor with the League's “favourites”, Brechin's players will be under no illusions that they are playing for their places. Their manager will, no doubt have pointed this out.

Campbell and Co have overcome much bigger problems in the last five years, but without scoring a goal in four games, it isn't the ideal preparation for the first league game of the season.

Other Results - Bell's Cup Round 1

Airdrie United 0 Queen of the South 2

Airdrie discover life will be tough in the first division, before their league campaign even begins.

Alloa Athletic 2 Elgin City 0

Alloa win comfortably against Elgin.

Arbroath 2 Peterhead 4

Poor start for Arbroath losing to a team from a lower division.

Ayr United 0 Falkirk 3

Darryl Duffy inspired Falkirk off to a flyer.

Dumbarton 1 Stirling Albion 2

Stirling show there will be no easy fixtures in Division 2 this year with a win over fancied Dumbarton.

East Fife 0 Cowdenbeath 0

Cowdenbeath through after winning 4-3 on penalties.

East Stirlingshire 1 Berwick Rangers 2

Berwick win narrowly at East Stirling.

Forfar Athletic 3 Morton 1

Good start for Forfar against promotion favourites Morton.

Gretna 3 Montrose 0

Gretna and their sugar-daddy easily overcome Montrose.

Queen's Park 1 Stenhousemuir 1

The home side won 4-2 on penalties.

Raith Rovers 0 Albion Rovers 2

Surprise victory for the Wee Rovers over the big Rovers. Raith must be missing Shaun Dennis.

Ross County 2 St Mirren 1

County triumph in this all first division affair.

St Johnstone 2 Hamilton Academical 0

John Connelly's St Johnstone overcome first division new boys Hamilton.