Brechin City Football Club

Glebe Park, Brechin, Angus DD9 6BJ

Tel : 01356 623344
Email : secretary@brechincityfc.com
www.brechincity.com

News - 3 May 2019

Brechin City v Stenhousemuir - Match Preview - By Steven Mew

City go into the crucial final league game of the season against Stenhousemuir at Glebe Park tomorrow knowing that only a win will be enough to avoid automatic relegation and earn a chance of League One survival via the playoffs.

The Warriors, courtesy of their draw against East Fife last weekend, travel to Glebe Park needing just a point to seal 9th place.

TEAM NEWS
With the exception of the injured Dene Shields and Lewis Toshney, Manager Barry Smith should have a full squad available to him tomorrow.

City have been handed a major boost with the news that Craig Thomson returns to the squad having missed the missed the last couple of matches through injury. After making his first start in over 4 months last weekend, Callum Tapping came through the match against Raith Rovers unscathed and is again available for selection.

Although it has been confirmed that his injury is not as bad as first feared, Lewis Toshney will not feature again this season should City finish in a play-off spot.

MANAGERS COMMENTS
Commenting on last weeks game at Raith Rovers, Manager Barry Smith said, "I thought we put in a good performance and probably deserved to take something out of it. Although we were disappointed not to take anything from the game, it was important that we put in an improved performance and take some confidence from it ahead of the final league game of the season. Callum Tapping made his return from a long injury layoff and showed what we've been missing, although understandably he tired later on in the game."

"We are under no illusions as to how tough the game will be tomorrow but rest assured the management and players are ready to give everything. We all know it's been a hard season but we would ask the supporters to turn out and support the team. When the going gets tough, the backing from the fans can really give players the edge on the park."

MATCH OFFICIALS
The match referee tomorrow is Euan Anderson who will be assisted by Douglas Ross and Kevin Lindsay. You only have go back 6 weeks for the last time that Anderson took charge of a City game - that being in the 2-0 victory against East Fife at Bayview.

ADMISSION INFORMATION
Standard league pricing applies for this crucial fixture - they are as follows:

- Adult £15
- Concession £8
- Parent & Child £18

The City Club bar (situated within the David H Will Stand) is open to both sets of supporters from 1pm and again following the game until 8pm.

SPONSORSHIP
We welcome special guests tomorrow as 13 members of the 1992/93 promotion winning side visit Glebe Park. They will be introduced to the crowd at half time where they will take part in a crossbar challenge.

Attending tomorrow are Marc Millar, Sandy Ross, Harry Cairney, Doug Scott, Frank Conway, Ralph Brand, Ray Allan, Ian Paterson, Davie Fisher, Gordon Lees, Bobby Brown, Paul Sexton and Ritchie Vannett.

Matchball sponsor tomorrow is Honorary Committee Member Ian Jardine who we thank for his continued backing.

END OF SEASON AWARDS
The end of season awards will be presented by members of the 92/93 promotion winning team in the City Club following the game. All supporters are welcome to attend.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
It's fair to say City have toiled against Stenhousemuir this season, with the Warriors winning the first two fixtures, before the sides shared the spoils at Ochilview in March.

Stenhousemuir 1-0 Brechin City - 4th August 2018
City travelled to Ochilview for the opening league game of the season back in August hoping to get off to a winning start. They would leave empty handed after an early own goal by Dougie Hill handed 10-man Warriors all three points.

Brechin City 1-2 Stenhousemuir - 8th December 2018
There would be further disappointment for City against the Warriors in the return fixture at Glebe Park. Mark McGuigan gave the visitors an early lead from the penalty spot however Jordan Sinclair equalised on the stroke of half time for City. Alan Cook pounced 12 minutes from time to earn Stenny a crucial three points which closed the gap at the bottom of the table to just one point.

Stenhousemuir 1-1 Brechin City - 2nd March 2019
Despite having a numerical advantage for most of the game, City failed to capitalise in the last meeting at Ochilview. Kalvin Orsi had given City an early lead before Russell Dingwall was given his marching orders for an off the ball incident. Alan Cook equalised for the home side seven minutes into the second half but they were reduced to 9 men on 71 minutes when Conner Duthie was given a second yellow. Despite the two man advantage, City failed to threaten and the home side held out for a well deserved point.