Match Report - By Keith Johnston

After wins for both Brechin and Morton in the cup this week, attention turned back to league business as two of the division’s in-form teams met at Glebe Park. Morton had strengthened their squad in midweek with the signing of Alan Mahood, but he was only on the bench. City manager Dick Campbell, who had made a few changes for the game at Glasgow University, went back to the starting eleven that played against Arbroath two weeks ago.

Morton made their intentions clear in the third minute with a decent chance. Alex Williams was played through but he shot wide under pressure from Steve Hamilton.
Brechin responded with a couple of shots from range. First Kevin Byers saw his effort deflected wide, then Paul Ritchie failed to hit the target.
On the quarter hour mark the visitors had the ball in the net, after good play involving Weatherson and Williams, but the assistant referee’s flag was correctly up for offside.
Brechin took the lead in the 19th minute. Paul Deas’ cross was attacked at the far post by Graham Gibson who beat Graecen to the ball and knocked it past McGurn and into the corner of the net.
It was no more than Brechin deserved as they had played some good football up till when they scored and Morton looked anything but secure at the back.
City tried to press home their advantage three minutes after going ahead, when Craig Winter shot from the edge of the box. The effort appeared to be off-target, but McGurn made sure – tipping it behind for a corner.
Chris Templeman then had a shot from the edge of the box which was deflected wide.
The visitors responded with a cross to the back post for Chris Millar who should have scored, but failed to hit the target.
With ten minutes left in the half, Brechin had a good spell of possession that they almost converted into a second goal. Deas was again the crosser with Craig Winter heading wide on this occasion.
Morton had the last two chances of the half and really should have taken at least one of them. First Craig Nelson was forced into a good save before they had players queuing up to supply a finish, but someone dallied too long, allowing Steve Hamilton to get back and block.

Into the second half and Brechin had to defend doggedly for the first 15 minutes or so to keep their lead. Morton piled on the pressure, but Brechin hit back with a crucial second goal on the break.
Chris Templeman got the better of Graecen from a long kick by Nelson and struck a powerful low shot into the bottom corner. McGurn was able to get a hand to the effort, but not enough to keep it out.
At this point some rather childish/amusing (depending on your point of view) behaviour was spotted. Brechin’s ballboy was on his way round to the dug-out with a ball that had been kicked over the hedge when it was snatched from his arms by two visiting supporters who appeared to be heading for the exit. After taking a moment to think about what had happened the ball boy turned and ran after them asking for it back. This seemed to be to no avail though as he later walked back empty handed. I’m not sure what the final outcome of this was (i.e. whether the ball was returned). If it wasn’t given back I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions about the conduct of those concerned.
Anyway, the pattern of play for the rest of the game was pretty much Morton applying pressure to the Brechin defence, but for the most part not being able to supply the killer finish.
Again on the break, Brechin had a decent shout for a penalty in the 75th minute when Paul Ritchie’s cross appeared to strike the hand of Dean Keenan but the referee gave a corner instead of pointing to the spot.
But moments later, having soaked up a lot of pressure successfully, Brechin let themselves down with a poor piece of defending. David White scuffed a clearance to give away possession in the first instance. Steve Hamilton then could have done a bit better to deny the cross from the left. There were again players queuing up to shoot in the box with a lot of space but it was finally Chris Millar who hit it. The effort appeared to be well off target, but took a wicked deflection off Paul Deas and nestled in the bottom corner.
Despite leaving themselves 15 minutes to try and find an equaliser, Morton went off the boil a bit in the remainder of the game, having worked very hard to get back into it. Their cause wasn’t helped when McCluskey was sent off for a second bookable offence. Presumably it must have been for dissent because the free-kick had been awarded in his side’s favour so there was no foul.
If anything Brechin could have extended their advantage in the final minutes as Templeman had a shot tipped over (although the referee gave a goal kick). Most importantly though, there was no repeat of Alloa or Arbroath and the final score was 2-1 Brechin.

Overall, a great battling performance by Brechin to secure all three points. Morton were always going to create chances, having been in good form of late, but for the most part Brechin soaked up everything they had to offer and City’s strikeforce will always worry any team in this division.

Next week Brechin have another home match against Ayr United. The Honest Men only managed a draw today, but it will be another tough game as they are an improving team.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Ayr United 1 Arbroath 1

Ayr United are Brechin's next opponents. Today they were held at home by Arbroath, Scott McCulloch scored the home team's goal.

Stirling Albion 1 Stranraer 1

Stranraer's failure to win means Brechin close the gap at the top. Draw arguably the best result for City.