English Championship side Ipswich Town travelled north to Brechin to take part in City’s centenary match last night and it turned out to be an entertaining encounter. City gaffer Michael O’Neill managed to convince his good friend Jim Magilton to bring up his Ipswich side to take part in the match, and he certainly didn’t disappoint with a very strong Town side on show yesterday evening.

Jim Magilton was looking to gain some revenge as the Blues boss can still remember the pain of losing an Under 11s Northern Ireland Schools Cup Final for St Oliver Plunkett’s against Michael O’Neill’s All Saints, Ballymena team, but the pair went on to become firm friends.

City started with Craig Nelson between the sticks with a back four of Ross Archibald, John Ward, David White and Stuart Ferguson. O’Neill experimented with Craig McEwan being played in midfield, along with Stuart Callaghan, Richard Walker and Charlie King. Meanwhile, the forward duo of Chris Geddes and Steven Hampshire were looking to cause the strong Ipswich defence some problems.

Jim Magilton had promised to bring up a strong squad for the match and he certainly didn’t disappoint. Alan Lee and Lewis Price were not in the squad as they were away on international duty but the likes of former Fulham man Sylvain Legwinski and former Manchester City striker Jon Macken started for the visitors in front of a crowd of just over 500.

The Brechin pipe band provided some entertainment for the supporters before the match and at half time, and it was thoroughly appreciated by all in attendance.

Billy Clarke, who impressed for the visitors throughout the 90 minutes, had the first chance of the match when his crisp strike from 25 yards skimmed the top of the bar.

However, Clarke was not to be denied as he opened the scoring just five minutes later. Jon Macken received a pass on the edge of the box and he back-heeled into the path of the on-coming Clarke, who lashed a terrific shot past Nelson and into the top corner from the edge of the area. It was a beautifully worked goal which had both sets of supporters applauding.

City started to come into the game a bit and came close when Charlie King flighted a ball into the path of Chris Geddes, but a superbly timed tackle from Richard Taylor stopped the young striker in his tracks.

Geddes had the ball in the net just minutes later when he pounced on some slack defending by Ipswich and his low shot beat Shane Supple, however, celebrations were short lived as the linesman put his flag up for offside.

City were now beginning to put a considerable amount of pressure on the Ipswich goal and they got a deserved equalizer on the half hour mark. The ball broke out on the right for Steven Hampshire and his cross was just perfect for Stuart Callaghan, who headed past Supple at the near post.

Some of Ipswich’s play was a joy to watch and their passing and movement was exceptional, but they weren’t looking too clever in defence and Charlie King fully capitalised when he put City in front in the 37th minute.

City fans were no doubt delighted to see Steven Ferguson come on as a substitute early in the second half, as he continues his gradual recovery after he broke his leg against Peterhead on the opening day of the season at Balmoor.

Brechin were on the back-foot for much of the second half as Ipswich started to show their quality. The visitors attacked patiently as City sat back and relied on Steven Hampshire and Chris Geddes creating chances on the break.

Ipswich had much of the possession but rarely threatened the Brechin goal. Chris Geddes came close for the home side when his snap-shot from outside the box just went wide of the post.

Jim Magilton dusted down his boots and replaced Jon Macken with 15 minutes remaining, but unfortunately City gaffer Michael O’Neill was unable to take part. Recent signing Stevie McManus made his first appearance as he replaced Stuart Callaghan.

Magilton, who was desperate to make sure his good friend Michael O’Neill didn’t have the bragging rights at the end of the match, stepped up to take a free kick on the edge of the box but his shot went well over the bar.

Justice was done with six minutes to go as Ipswich netted a late equaliser. Matt Richards, who played the entire 90 minutes, connected well from a Simon Walton cross, and while substitute keeper John Hillcoat got a hand to it, he couldn’t keep the first time volley out.

Overall, an excellent way to end City’s Centenary celebrations and City put in an impressive performance against the Championship side.

Brechin: Nelson (Hillcoat 62), Archibald (Steven Ferguson 47), Stuart Ferguson, Ward (Walker 69), White, McEwan, R.Walker (Devlin 74), Callaghan (McManus 74), Hampshire, Geddes (Connolly 80), King.

Ipswich: Supple, Wilnis (Sito 59), Bruce (Wilnis 70), Naylor (Bowditch 46), Harding (Barron 46), Currie (Brittain 46), Legwinski (Moore 46), Walton, Richards, Macken (Magilton 73), Clarke.

Attendance: 511