Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin welcomed Greenock Morton to Glebe Park tonight in the second round of the Bell’s Cup. This had the makings of a great game, two strong sides who like to play the ball on the deck, however, the game did not live up to it’s expectations. Morton had started the season well, winning the opening three matches in the league and grabbing a draw against Dumbarton at the death on Saturday, despite having been reduced to 9 men.

Ian Campbell made 3 changes to the team that narrowly lost to St Mirren on Saturday. David White came in for Gary Bollan, while ‘Pinky’ handed starts to Charlie King and Stuart Callaghan, to the expense of Kevin Byers and Alex Burns. Morton fielded a very strong looking lineup, with a deadly striking duo of former Dundee Utd and Livingston striker Derek Lilley, former Dundee United winger Andy McLaren and Chris Templeman, who surely needs no introduction after his scoring exploits in a Brechin jersey.

Morton had the first clear-cut chance of the game, Derek Lilley was put through on goal with the City players claiming for offside and looked destined to score, but Craig Nelson continued his excellent form when he saved well with his feet from Lilley’s powerful shot.

Brechin then went up the field and had a couple of chances. Firstly, Charlie King got past his marker, only to drag his shot wide of the target. Shortly after, in form midfielder Grant Johnson tried his luck from long range but his volley went wide of David McGurn’s goal.

Morton came agonisingly close to getting the opener mid-way through the first half. Andy McLaren’s long range strike looked to be sailing into the top corner but Craig Nelson made an excellent stop to deny the former Dundee Utd man.

On the half hour mark, the inevitable happened. A cross from the left hand side evaded all Brechin defenders and the ball fell to Chris Templeman, who swept the ball into the top corner to give Craig Nelson no chance. This ended big ‘sanny’s’ scoring drought, it’s just a shame it had to happen against Brechin.

Brechin then had a couple of excellent chances to equalise, Charlie King made an excellent run down the right hand side and his cross was met by Steven Hampshire, but ‘Hammy’s’ header was weak and went wide of the goal. Darren Smith really should have equalised five minutes from half time when the ball fell to him just twelve yards from goal, but he slammed the ball wide when he really should have at least hit the target.

Just a couple of minutes before half time, Morton doubled their advantage. Chris Templeman made an excellent run on the left flank, beating a couple of City players and floated the ball into the back post where Derek Lilley was lurking unmarked, and the experienced striker rose to head effortlessly into the net.

The first twenty or so minutes of the second half were fairly uneventful, with neither side having any clear cut chances.

Chris Templeman was proving to be a real handful for the Brechin defence; the big striker came close on the hour mark when his shot was blocked by Nelson, and just minutes later his shot from an awkward angle was hacked off the line by Craig McEwan.

At the other end, Darren Smith had another couple of decent chances to pull a goal back. Ally Mitchell made a run down the right but his cutback was hammered over the bar by Smith. City’s best chance of the game came just 6 minutes from time when Paul Ritchie flicked on into the path of Darren Smith, who latched onto the ball but sadly struck wide of David McGurn’s left hand post. Charlie King also came close, when he burst past a couple of Morton defenders, only to slam his volley over the bar.

In the dying minutes Morton nearly grabbed a third goal, but Ton substitute Jason Walker was denied twice by Craig Nelson.

Overall, a very poor performance and it was one of those games where we could have played all night without scoring a goal. Morton impressed for long spells of the game with Man of the Match Chris Templeman proving a real handful for the Brechin defence. Ian Campbell has plenty time to rethink with Brechin’s next match in a fortnight’s time at home to Clyde.

Other Results - Bell's Cup Round 2

Dundee 1 Airdrie United 1

Dundee win 3-2 on pens.

Partick Thistle 4 St Johnstone 4

St Johnstone edge out Dick Campbell's Partick 4-3 on penalties after an exciting 120 minutes.

Raith Rovers 2 Dumbarton 1

Two late goals snatch victory for Raith.

Ross County 0 Hamilton Academical 1

Excellent away win for Hamilton at Dingwall.