Match Report - By Match Secretary

The game went ahead after a morning pitch inspection and for City’s new manager Jim Duffy the game offered an opportunity to get off to a winning start at Glebe Park in his first home league game in charge. There was a welcome return for for Gary Fusco, a player whose inclusion turned around City’s season last term.


Fusco could have been pleased with his overall contribution. Having fought his way back from a pre-season injury, the ball-winning skills of the City midfield man, might just help to give City the sort of boost they need in the weeks ahead.


At times this season Glebe Park has witnessed some great football. However, Saturday, simply wasn’t one of those occasions.


In fact in the first 45 minutes, City carved out one clear goal scoring opportunity when Fusco “ghosted” in at the back post to head the ball dowanwards only to be denied by a fine save from former Dundee United goalkeeper, Paul Jarvie, who had been recalled by Peterhead boss Neale Cooper after his side’s dismissal in a Scottish Cup replay at Hampden Park in midweek.


Peterhead offered little in the way of creative football in the first 45 minutes also. In fact, it took the ‘Blue Toon’ more than half-an-hour to register a shot on goal and that ended up well wide of the target.


The game improved a little in the second period and as it stretched out, cracks began to appear in both defences. John Baird was somewhat unfortunate after he found himself with time and space on the edge of the opposition penalty area. The City striker, playing in his last game before his loan deal expired, spotted jarvie off his line and tried to lob him, but the ball landed on top of the net rather than in the back of it.


At the other end, that man Fusco stepped in to hook a David Ross effort of the line. A clearance which was as timely as it was vital in the final outcome.


City finally got their noises in front with 15 minutes of the game remaining. Charlie King latched on to some slackness in the visitor’s midfield. Brechin’s longest-serving player then timed his exquisite through ball to perfection to find Gary Twigg and the City striker did an expert job in drawing the goalkeeper before slotting home his 11th goal of the season.


That should have given Brechin fresh impetus and the confidence to get a result. However, to Peterhead’s credit they threw themselves back at City and Callum McDonald found space from a corner, which he headed over and Willie Dyer also made a couple of timely interceptions, as Peterhead substitute Steven Anderson tried to bear down on goal.


The signs were not good for City. They seemed unable to push out from the edge of the 18 yard box and get themselves up the park. At a time when retaining possession was paramount, it was, all too often conceded too.


With four minutes remaining, Peterhead finally drew level. Steven Anderson, who undoubtedley gave the visitors a lift after his introduction, handed Martin Bavidge the sort of opportunity at the far post with a accurate cross that he simply couldn’t miss.


Hopefully, Brechin’s move out of the top three in the league, for the first time this season, will be enough of a reminder that there is still an awful lot of football to play. City know that the visit of in-form Stirling Albion on Saturday now comes into the vital category.


Brechin City: Craig Nelson, Walker, Ward, Seeley, Dyer, Fusco (Byers 65), Janczyk, Nimmo, King, Twigg, Baird. Subs Not Used: Canning, Adam Nelson, Murie, McCluskey.


Peterhead: Jarvie, Donald, Mann, MacDonald, Smith, McKay, McVitie, Ross (Gunn 59), Moore (Kozminski 83), Bavidge, Bagshaw (Anderson 78). Subs Not Used: Skinner, Kula.


Referee: Anthony Law

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Alloa Athletic 0 Raith Rovers 0

Ayr United 2 Arbroath 1

East Fife 4 Queen's Park 2

Stranraer 2 Stirling Albion 8