Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin City made it 5 wins on the bounce with a well-deserved 3–1 victory over Turriff United at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

Manager Ray McKinnon made three changes to his starting XI from last week, with Adam Hutchinson returning from injury and both Fraser Macleod and Grady McGrath also restored to the lineup.

However City's plans were dealt a major blow almost immediately. Hutchinson’s comeback lasted barely 35 seconds before the defender suffered a painful dislocated shoulder in an innocuous challenge. He was replaced by Kieran Sweeney, forcing City into an early reshuffle.

Despite the disruption, City settled well though it was Turriff who created the game’s first clear chance after just five minutes. Scott Robertson drifted into space on the right-hand side of the box and unleashed a powerful drive, but goalkeeper Craig Hepburn reacted sharply, parrying the effort away to safety.

Brechin responded quickly. A minute later Marley Sweeney-Rowe delivered a teasing cross which was met by Cillian Sheridan, but his header lacked the power or placement to trouble Turriff goalkeeper Robertson.

Moments later Grady McGrath whipped in another dangerous ball from the right, finding the late run of Finlay Allan but the on-loan Dundee youngster couldn’t quite adjust his body shape to turn it goalward.

City were beginning to dictate play and on the quarter hour mark, a Wallace Baird cross caused problems for the visiting defence, the ball ricocheting awkwardly off Allan and allowing Robertson to gather.

Baird himself went close a minute later when he was teed up on the edge of the area, but he leaned back and sent his strike narrowly over the bar.

The final chance of a frustrating first half arrived a minute before the break. McGrath once again provided the service, drilling a low cross into the danger area where Cillian Sheridan met it with a firm first-time strike. His effort looked destined for the net but was somehow blocked at point-blank range by a Turriff defender.

Brechin flew out of the blocks after the restart and within five minutes they made the breakthrough. Baird showed superb awareness to release Harry Craig down the right flank and he skipped beyond a defender before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box. Waiting on the penalty spot was GRADY MCGRATH, who executed a beautifully controlled first-time volley past Robertson to make it 1–0.

The goal gave City a renewed spark. On 55 minutes, Baird almost created a second when his looping cross caused confusion with Robertson fumbling under pressure before his defence hacked the ball clear.

Brechin continued to press and shortly after the hour mark they passed up a huge opportunity when McGrath’s corner was headed over from only a few yards out by Euan Spark. But they didn’t have to wait too long for a second.

With 68 minutes played, Sweeney-Rowe delivered an in-swinging corner that was flicked on at the near post. KIERAN SWEENEY reacted quickest, nodding home from close range to double Brechin’s advantage.

City's quality from dead-ball situations paid dividends again just eight minutes later. Another McGrath corner found its way to KIERAN SWEENEY at the back post and his downward header crept over the line despite the desperate attempts of a Turriff defender to clear to seal his brace.

Turriff attempted to mount a response and 12 minutes from time they carved out their best opportunity of the match. A long ball over the top released Miller Keir clean through but Hepburn stood tall, spreading himself well to block with his feet.

Brechin might have extended their lead late on. Substitute Mitchell Findlay saw a powerful drive blocked in the 83rd minute and a minute later Spark had another chance following a corner, only to blaze a volley high over the bar.

Much to City's frustration, the visitors netted a consolation with a minute remaining to scupper any chance of a clean sheet. Another direct ball over the top found MILLER KEIR who this time kept his composure, sliding the ball low beyond Hepburn to reduce the deficit .

City will now look to continue the momentum with some midweek action on Wednesday evening as we play host to Keith in the Breedon Highland League with an 8pm kick off.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 2 Nairn County 1

Brora Rangers 1 Huntly 1

Buckie Thistle 2 Wick Academy 0

Deveronvale 2 Inverurie Locos 2

Forres Mechanics 1 Formartine United 3

Fraserburgh 0 Clachnacuddin 2

Keith 2 Rothes 1

Strathspey Thistle 3 Lossiemouth 2