Brechin City head into their final Highland League fixture against Turriff United at the Haughs tomorrow afternoon knowing the league title is still within reach.
A midweek setback against Brora Rangers saw City relinquish top spot on goal difference. City will likely need to better Brora’s result away to Huntly to reclaim the title, unless they can overturn a 5-goal gap should both sides secure victory.
City will come up against a Turriff United side currently sitting 10th in the table, but with plenty still to play for. With a Highland League Cup final against Formartine United on the horizon next weekend, the hosts will be keen to build momentum and confidence.
TEAM NEWS
City will definitely be without Calvin Beattie who is suspended, having been sent off in the midweek fixture, whilst captain Euan Spark will also sit out through suspension having been issued with a red card for dissent following the game. Brad McKay, Adam Hutchinson and Scott Fraser are all rated doubtful but will be assessed ahead of the match.
MANAGERS COMMENTS
Reflecting on the midweek defeat at Brora, Manager Andy Kirk commented, “It was always going to be a difficult game and we knew they were going to come at us. It was a bit scrappy at times but Brora had more of the play. There were things in the game that the players can’t control and those things went against us. The players had to deal with a number of decisions on the pitch and when you’re up against it away from home, it makes it really difficult. The penalty decision was a disgrace and even Brora players were saying it wasn’t a penalty. If you give a penalty for that then there would be more than one every week.
“When everyone puts so much effort in, from the players to the supporters to put in the miles travelling to games – it’s frustrating when the whole season can potentially go down to one persons poor judgement. We can’t complain about the sending off as Calvin has made a poor choice to go for the ball with high feet. He’s a young lad that’s made a mistake and it won’t be his first and won’t be his last throughout his career. He’s done well for us and it’s something he can learn from.
“Full credit to the players as they got themselves back in the game in the second half – we kept pushing and managed to get Cillian Sheridan on the park after missing the last few games. At that point we were defending situations well but we gave a stupid free kick away on the edge of the box and although that was blocked, they got the cross back in and it fell for them inside the box.
“It’s a hard one to take because we were so close to getting a point but it just didn’t happen for us. We would have been in a very good position had we managed to draw the game. I can’t fault the players at all from the minute that I came back in January along with the time and commitment that they’ve put into every game.”
Looking ahead to the final league game of the season at Turriff tomorrow, Andy said, “We still have a chance of the title tomorrow and we need to go and win the game and then see where that takes us – hopefully we can get a wee bit of luck elsewhere and we can still come away with a trophy. You just never know with this league as teams have dropped points when you least expect. We just have to take care of our own game but it wasn’t easy up there the last time and we ended up losing on penalties.
“The supporters have been absolutely brilliant and have been there week in week out – they follow us everywhere and I’m disappointed we weren’t able to get it over the line for them on Wednesday but hopefully they can be rewarded tomorrow.“
ADMISSION INFORMATION
Tomorrow’s match at the Haughs kicks off at 3pm. Admission prices are £12 for adults and £6 for concessions with cash/card accepted. The Supporters Bar at the ground is open from 1pm.
SUPPORTERS TRAVEL
Brechin City Supporters’ Club are running two buses to the game which will leave Glebe Park at 11:30am. Please note the buses are now FULLY BOOKED – thank you all for your incredible support yet again!
MATCH OFFICIALS
Tomorrow’s match referee is James Coull, assisted by Struan Barclay and Megan McKay.
LAST TIME OUT
Both sides were in midweek action, with City suffering a stoppage time defeat at Brora. A contentious penalty award in the first half, converted by James Anderson gave the hosts the lead before Calvin Beattie saw red for City for a high challenge midway through the second half. City battled on and grabbed an equaliser through Mitch Taylor with ten minutes to go, however Connall Ewan popped up to net the winner for the hosts three minutes into added time.
Turriff meanwhile went down to a 3-1 defeat at home to Inverurie Locos. The visitors had taken a two-goal lead at the break with goals from Ethan Cairns and Taylor Chapman, but Murray Thompson reduced the deficit just after the hour mark. A minute into added time, Josh Bolton sealed the win for the Locos.
PREVIOUS MEETING
Turriff United 1-1 Brechin City (Turriff win 4-3 on pens) – 28th February 2026
The last meeting between the sides was on Highland League Cup duty, as City exited the competition at the semi final stage on penalties. It was a frustrating performance from City, who struggled to find their usual rhythm in a game with few clear chances.
The game came alive early in the second half when McNeil saved a penalty from Miller Keir, and City quickly took advantage as Euan Spark headed home from a corner to take the lead. However, Turriff kept pushing and equalised late on through Reece McKeown, taking the match to penalties. Despite a solid start in the shootout, misses from Bayley Klimionek and Mitch Taylor proved costly and Turriff ultimately held their nerve to secure victory and a place in the final.
