Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin City leapfrogged Brora Rangers to go back into pole position in the Highland League following an impressive 2-0 win at Dudgeon Park yesterday afternoon.

It was a vitally important win which saw City go 3 points clear of their opponents with just six matches remaining.

There was the surprise return of skipper Euan Spark to the starting 11 after dislocating his shoulder against Hearts in January, whilst Cillian Sheridan also came into the side as Ray McKinnon made 2 changes from last week.

Despite the near 400 mile round trip, City were backed by a sizeable travelling support and it was the visitors who threatened first on 5 minutes when Ewan Loudon burst forward and fed Fraser MacLeod on the edge of the box but he saw his shot blocked before being cleared to safety.

Just a minute later, there were shouts for a penalty when Euan Spark’s effort inside the box looked to have come off an outstretched arm however referee Harry Bruce waved play on despite the appeals.

With 16 minutes on the clock, City opened the scoring in fortuitous fashion when an attempted clearance from Michael Finnis cannoned off EWAN LOUDON and the ball sailed beyond the helpless Cameron Mackay.

The celebrations had barely died down by the time City doubled the advantage a minute later. It was a quickfire double for EWAN LOUDON who cut inside from the left before lashing a low strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards, with Mackay getting a slight hand to it.

A shell shocked Brora side looked to get themselves back into it with Craig Mackenzie shooting straight at Lenny Wilson following a good passing move on the half hour mark.

Four minutes later the City keeper was forced into action again when he made a tremendous reflex save to keep out a header from Connor Bunce before Euan Spark scrambled the follow up off the line.

Eight minutes before the break, Lewis Martin made a fine run down the right and played a low ball into Ewan Loudon inside the box but he miscued his effort.

Early in the second half there was a scare for City when Tony Dingwall hit the post following a stramash in the box before Ali Sutherland fired well over the bar.

Thereafter, the second half was something of a non-event as the City defence, superbly marshalled by the returning Euan Spark, kept a generally free-scoring Brora side at bay.

Midway through the half, Connor Bunce fired a shot wide and just a minute later, Wilson got down well to keep out a low strike from former City loanee Matthew Wright.

With three minutes remaining, Brad McKay headed over in what proved to be the last action of note as City saw out a crucial three points and a third consecutive clean sheet.

Attention now turns to another tough trip on Wednesday evening as we make the relatively short journey to face an in-form Inverurie Locos side on Wednesday evening.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Deveronvale 1 Formartine United 2

Forres Mechanics 1 Buckie Thistle 1

Fraserburgh 2 Nairn County 0

Huntly 7 Keith 0

Inverurie Locos 5 Strathspey Thistle 0

Rothes 1 Banks O' Dee 5

Turriff United 2 Clachnacuddin 1

Wick Academy 4 Lossiemouth 1