Match Report - By Grant Hood

Brechin City 1 - 5 Dunfermline Athletic

City bowed out of this season's Irn Bru Cup at the hands of full time Dunfermline Athletic, who progressed comfortably following a dominant display at The Glebe.

Whilst City's Management Team will doubtless feel that goals were conceded cheaply, there could be no debate about The Pars superiority on the day. This was the first competitive home defeat for the Glebe Park side since The Pars themselves enjoyed a 2-1 victory back in February – such has been the Brechin City form since then.

The kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes as a courtesy to travelling supporters due to traffic congestion around Perth. Once the game was underway and, as has become customary in recent clashes, Dunfermline started the game very much on the front foot. After forcing 2 corners within the first 2 minutes, it was from one of the numerous subsequent corners that the Pars took the lead. ‘Buzz’ in the City goal failed to get the clean connection he wanted and the ball looped towards LEE ASHCROFT who comfortably headed home from within the 6 yard box.

City were struggling to get a foothold in the game and the combative Finn Graham, facing his former side, received the game’s only caution for a midfield challenge. Worse was to follow when Willie Dyer, in trying to clear for a corner, slammed the ball off DOUGIE HILL only to see it ricochet into the net. This was the first own goal conceded by City since Darren McCormack was the unfortunate ‘scorer’ in a Cup Tie at Stenhousemuir in November 2014.

Within a minute however, City struck back with what would be the finest goal of the game. A high looping clearance fell for ALLY LOVE lurking just outside the 'D', who struck an impressive left-foot volley past David Hutton to bring City back into the game with their first strike at goal.

Perhaps the most telling moment, in terms of the match becoming a contest, came soon after. A throw in from City’s left was headed on by striker Ross Caldwell to the onrushing Ally Love, who found himself in splendid isolation with a clear shooting chance inside the 6 yard box. To his clear anguish, his first time effort soared high over the crossbar and the opportunity for parity had gone. Half-time: 1-2.

The game’s decisive goal came less than 5 minutes into the second half. Somewhat surprisingly, City’s Willie Dyer and James Dale got into a “Willie Miller /Alan Hansen-esq” mix up over a clearance and, a handful of concise passes later, Pars’ PAUL McMULLAN found himself inside the penalty area with time and space to execute a composed side-foot finish to restore the visitors’ 2-goal advantage.

Despite the Pars continued dominance, City refused to accept that the visitors were out of sight and carried the type of attacking threat sadly missing during the game’s formative period, with chances falling in the main to Ally Love.

Any lingering doubts as to how the tie would finish were extinguished in 80 minutes. Former St Johnstone youngster Gareth Rodger will doubtless deem himself culpable, losing possession to the lively GAVIN REILLY who drove towards goal unopposed, and slotted the ball past ‘Buzz’ and into the bottom corner of the net. Further inconsequential woe would follow for the City rearguard as LEE ASHCROFT gleefully notched himself a second goal, heading home unchallenged from close-in from a free kick in the game’s last meaningful action.

The result saw City exit the competition before the 4th Round draw which would see the novel and controversial inclusion of teams from Wales and Northern Ireland. The Glebe Park side competed well at times against last seasons’ runaway League One champions. The Management Team as well as the players themselves will doubtless be looking to ensure that no damage is done to the confidence and self-belief built up so far in an encouraging start to the league campaign.