Report by Steven Mew

Brechin City were forced to settle for a tense and ultimately frustrating 0–0 draw against Formartine United yesterday in a match that never quite sparked into life for the home side but still leaves the title race within their control.

Coming into the game on the back of a positive result against Wick, manager Andy Kirk made two changes to his starting 11. Mitch Taylor was ruled out through injury while Fraser Macleod began on the bench, with Kieran Inglis and Callum Hannah stepping in. 

From the outset, it was Formartine who looked the more threatening. Inside eight minutes, Luke Emmett tested Andy McNeil with a low drive from the edge of the area, setting the tone for much of the first half. The visitors continued to probe, and City were given a let-off on the quarter hour mark when Glenn Murison headed over from a teasing delivery by Graeme Rodger.  

City’s evening was further disrupted on 19 minutes when Cillian Sheridan was forced off through injury, replaced by Mitchell Findlay.

Cillian Sheridan had to be substituted through injury early on

Efforts from Marc Lawrence and Hamish Ritchie followed for the visitors, the latter forcing a sharp parry from McNeil after a difficult volley from a tight angle.

Rhys Thomas looped a header onto the roof of the net from a corner for Formartine as they chased the opener, while another blow struck City on 33 minutes as Adam Hutchinson also had to be withdrawn, prompting a reshuffle to a flat back four with Fraser Macleod introduced into the midfield.

Despite the defensive reshuffle, the visitors continued to find openings. Murison’s header was comfortably held by McNeil, before former City man Julian Wade was denied smartly by McNeil's feet after breaking in behind. It was a first half where Brechin struggled to gain any attacking foothold and failed to test Formartine keeper McKenzie, arguably fortunate to reach the interval level.

Kieran Inglis tussles for possession

The second half followed a similar pattern early on, with Formartine again threatening. Julian Wade, who was a thorn in City's side all evening, saw his lob drift just wide of the far post shortly after the restart. However, Brechin gradually began to grow into the game.

City's first real chance arrived on 67 minutes when Inglis threaded a pass through to Spencer Moreland but he dragged his effort wide. Moments later, Macleod forced a save from distance, finally giving the home support something to lift them. A brief spell of pressure followed - Scott Fraser picked out McGrath inside the box, but his snapshot flew wide.

Former City man Julian Wade proved to be a handful throughout

At the other end Hamish Ritchie came close again with a long-range effort that flashed past the post, while deep into stoppage time Graeme Rodger volleyed narrowly wide after a partially cleared corner, almost snatching all three points at the death.

In truth, City will recognise that they did not do enough across the 90 minutes to merit a victory. Disrupted by injuries and limited creativity, it took until the middle of the second period to threaten the Formartine goal.

Yet, while the performance may not have met their usual standards, the bigger picture remains unchanged. With five games left to play, City still have their destiny in their own hands in the race for the league title.

Next up is a trip to face Nairn County at Station Park on Saturday.