Match Report - By Keith Johnston

Brechin welcomed Berwick Rangers to Glebe Park for their New Year’s Day fixture. It is unfortunate for Berwick fans in particular that this is the two sides’ “derby” fixture, but a few of them made the long trip north to see their side in action. Heavy rain just before kick-off made conditions slippery, but luckily this did not have much of an adverse affect on the quality of football on show.

Berwick had the first chance of the afternoon when Gareth Hutchison received the ball in the penalty area, but Craig Nelson was alert and made the save.
Brechin responded with Paul Ritchie finding Charlie King whose shot from range was parried to safety by Gary O’Conner.
Still inside the first 10 minutes, the same pair again combined to create a promising situation for the home side when Ritchie found King with a superb cross-field ball, before Chuckie’s dangerous cross was sent behind by Mark Cowan. Kevin Byers corner was then headed over by David White.
Berwick were showing promising signs, but Brechin were always looking capable of scoring. In the 17th minute, Steve Hampshire’s cross was headed down by Paul Ritchie to Craig Winter at the edge of the box, but his low shot went inches wide.
In a similar move two minutes later, Hampshire picked out the run of Kevin McLeish, but his effort was not as close as Toorie’s.
Berwick’s dangerman is Darren Smith and he went on a good run in the 21st minute that was terminated by a superb last-ditch Paul Deas tackle.
Brechin took the lead on the half hour mark, but owed a debt of gratitude to Berwick’s goalkeeper Gary O’Conner. He attempted to flick a passback up in order to boot the ball clear, but his miskick allowed Steve Hampshire a simple tap-in.
Moments later, the goalkeeper nearly compounded his agony with a weak punch from a cross that fell invitingly to Charlie King, but he was unable to control his lob with O’Conner in no-man’s-land.
So City went in ahead at the break, slightly fortuitously through the keeper’s mistake. There could have been no complaints from City supporters if it had been all square at the interval.

Eight minutes into the second half, Brechin doubled their advantage. Paul Ritchie was presented with the ball by a Berwick player at the edge of the box. He found Steve Hampshire whose shot looked to be goalbound, but was assisted by a deflection that took it over O’Conner and into the net.
As yet City had been unconvincing and had two slightly fortunate goals to thank for their lead. Berwick were not downhearted and probably had their best spell of the game with the score at 2-0. They got back into the match in the 66th minute when a corner was half-cleared to Mark McGarty at the edge of the area. His shot was a beauty - Craig Nelson was able to get a touch but not enough to prevent the ball going in off the woodwork.
City then had a scare in the 73rd minute when a deep cross found David Murie unmarked at the far post, but he was unable to hit the target. He really should have done better, but fortunately for Brechin he is not renowned for his aerial ability.
Berwick were made to rue that missed opportunity a few minutes later when Brechin scored a decisive third. Paul Ritchie headed down for Steve Hampshire who in turn found Charlie King. Chuckie ran towards goal and found the corner of the net with his low shot.
Brechin were able to make the scoreline a bit flattering a couple of minutes later. Steve Hampshire was pulled down in the box and got up to secure his hat-trick from the penalty spot. O’Conner dived the right way, but the ball was right in the corner.

Overall, the 4-1 scoreline was perhaps slightly flattering on Brechin, but it is always good to come away with convincing results even if you haven’t played brilliantly.

At the back of City fans’ minds for the duration of the game and if not afterwards is the news that Dick Campbell has been given permission to speak to Partick Thistle about their manager’s job. He has been nothing short of magnificent in his time with the club but - as with Chris Templeman - success leads to opportunities at a higher level.

Next, City will face Alloa on Monday in what promises to be a tricky fixture. Their form has been improving lately and they will be fresh, having seen their New Year’s Day fixture fall victim to the weather.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Arbroath 0 Forfar Athletic 2

Forfar stop the rot with a win at Arbroath.

Ayr United 0 Stranraer 1

Stranraer win 1-0 courtesy of an O.G.

Morton 3 Dumbarton 0

Morton find their form with Dumbarton. Sanny scored the third goal.