Match Report - By Grant Hood

PETERHEAD 1-3 BRECHIN CITY

CITY REMAIN IN LEADING PACK WITH DESERVED VICTORY AT BALMOOR

Losing both your captain and your top goalscorer to injury is far from the ideal preparation ahead of a trip to a resurgent Peterhead with 3 consecutive victories under their belt.

Happily though, for those of a red-and-white persuasion, an exquisitely competent defensive performance, in the face of a Blue Toon onslaught – aided by gale force winds and driving rain – created the platform to allow City to secure a valuable 3-points haul and send out a compelling statement to their rivals that Darren Dods’ men thoroughly merit their place amongst the League One pace-setters.

All the more pleasing from a City viewpoint was a hat-trick for striker Ross Caldwell, making his first start in 6 games, in place of foot injury victim Andy Jackson. The only other change to the starting line up saw the return of Finn Graham, allowing fellow-Fifer Lewis Spence to drop to the right back slot given the continued absences through injury of both Paul McLean and Chris O’Neil.

Despite playing into the fierce driving wind, City’s short passing in midfield saw early chances for Ross Caldwell and Ally Love, both of which were blocked. Fate dealt City a cruel blow after only 8 minutes when League One’s most frugal defence was disrupted due to an injury to Darren McCormack. This saw the early introduction of Gareth Rodger, breaking a sequence of 6 non-appearances from the substitutes’ bench. To his credit, the youngster would go on to fit in seamlessly and have one of his most competent and encouraging displays in a City shirt.

The elements would ensure that most of the first half action would be around the City goal, but playing with the wind was proving troublesome for the home side, with numerous forward passes being overhit. A 30 yard shot from Stefan McCluskey which went narrowly over the crossbar was the Blue Toon’s most notable effort before City took the lead in 22 minutes.

The Peterhead defence failed to adequately clear a cross from Lewis Spence in an advanced position on City’s right. The ball fell for ROSS CALDWELL whose unconvincing low shot somehow squirmed through home defenders taking a deflection past home keeper Graeme Smith – to the delight of the healthy City following who were braving some quite horrendous weather conditions to cheer on their favourites.

Peterhead battled hard for an equaliser with both Rory McAllister and Jordon Brown twice coming close, but failing to hit the target. City were forced into conceding a succession of corners, one of which saw yellow cards issued to both keeper ‘Buzz’ and the ever dangerous McAllister for an overly frank exchange of views. Despite the intensity of the action in the City goalmouth, some stalwart and resolute defending saw City through to half-time with their lead intact.

City started the second half with the monsoon behind them, and had an outstanding chance to extend their lead. Ross Caldwell found himself with a clean run-through on goal and, with pace, control and composure calmly slotted the ball past the home keeper from the edge of the box. Sadly his precision was only just marginally out, as the ball rolled agonisingly wide of the post.

However, the weather-beaten City fans would have to wait only a few minutes more for City to score a second. A corner from City’s left was only partially cleared and, when the ball was helped back into the penalty area by Willie Dyer, ROSS CALDWELL hooked in a delightful first-time shot low into the corner of the net.

When City’s 3rd goal arrived in 65 minutes it was as disastrous for the home defence as it was joyful for Brechin’s latest hat-trick hero. Whilst the home rearguard enjoyed comfortable possession, a slack pass from goalkeeper Smith was seized upon by the ever alert Alan Trouten. ‘Trouts’ confidently pushed forward drawing the goalkeeper and defenders to him, before rolling a slide-rule pass towards the penalty spot to allow ROSS CALDWELL to supply a confident and competent first-time right foot finish – ultimately securing himself the match-ball as a souvenir of his first ever senior hat-trick.

To their credit, Peterhead continued to carry goal threat with substitute Leighton McIntosh slamming a low ball across goal where there were no takers, and an unfortunate slip from the impressive Euan Smith allowing Rory McAllister a clear run-in on goal – only to shoot narrowly wide.

A home goal duly arrived when RORY McALLISTER blasted a low free-kick into the corner of the net, with ‘Buzz’ scrambling to reach it but not quite managing to stop it creeping over the line. This saw the home side go into the last 15 minutes or so with their tails up and a flurry of penalty box action, allied to some heroic City defending, made for a more uncomfortable close-out to the game than City fans would ideally have sought.

On a day when goal kicks would either go straight out of play, or travel 40 yards only to be blown back 15, those of a Glebe Park leaning were delighted to travel back south on the A90 with a hard-earned but fully merited 3 points – happy in the knowledge that City remain well positioned only 2 points adrift of the League One top spot.

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