Report by Steven Mew

City concluded their pre-season preparations with a narrow win over Highland League side Formartine United yesterday afternoon.

The sweltering conditions at a sun-soaked Glebe Park were not conducive to entertaining football and so it proved, with both sides perhaps struggling to show what they are capable of. The visitors, who finished as runners up to Cove Rangers in the Highland League last season, provided another stern test for City.

Most importantly, the game allowed Manager Darren Dods to continue to run the rule over a number of trialists as well as giving the players in the squad valuable game time ahead of the competitive action starting next Saturday.

City's best chance of a fairly nondescript first half fell to the trialist #9 who managed to round keeper Ewan McDonald but a defender was on hand to block his shot off the line.

The visitors managed to get forward on numerous occasions however they were unable to test new signing Conor Brennan in the City goal.

City freshened things up at half time with Paddy O'Neil replacing Brennan in goal along with the introductions of Paul McLean, Aron Lynas, Callum Tapping and another trialist.

The home side stepped up a gear in the second half with Euan Smith coming close with a header which looped over the bar. Shortly after, trialist #9 was sent clean through on goal however his effort was straight at the keeper.

City did get the goal they deserved ten minutes from time. A cross floated in from the hand side was flicked on and KALVIN ORSI was on hand to direct his header into the corner.

The competitive action starts next Saturday with a home match against League 2 side Peterhead in the group stage of the Betfred Cup. With trialists unable to be used in the cup, keep your eyes peeled for some signing news over the coming week.

Brechin City:- Conor Brennan (Paddy O'Neil), Euan Spark, Sean Burns (Trialist), Trialist (Aron Lynas), Dougie Hill (Paul McLean), Jordan Tapping, Jordan Sinclair (Callum Tapping), Trialist, Trialist (Trialist), Kalvin Orsi, Euan Smith.

Formartine United:- Ewan MacDonald, Joseph MacPherson, Archie MacPhee, Jevan Anderson, Craig McKeown, Calvin Roddie, Graeme Rodger, Liam Burnett, Conor Gethins, Stuart Anderson, Ryan Stott. Substitutes:- Jonathan Crawford, Kieran Lawrence, Paul Lawson, Andrew Greig, Gregor Whyte, Kai Matthews, Kevin Main (GK).

Referee:- Greg Souter
Assistants:- Mat Northcroft & Robin Taylor