Report by Steven Mew

Brechin City marked their return to league action with a hard-earned and thoroughly deserved 1–0 victory over Huntly at Christie Park, as Cillian Sheridan’s first-half strike proved decisive in a contest City largely controlled from start to finish.

Played against the backdrop of persistent rain across Aberdeenshire, the match was able to go ahead only thanks to the tireless efforts of the Huntly ground staff who ensured the surface was in playable condition.

It was Brechin’s first league outing in six weeks and also the first league game back in the dugout for Andy Kirk since his return to the club. Huntly, meanwhile, were also adjusting to new leadership with Graeme 'Spider' Stewart taking charge of his second match at the helm.

City handed starts to new signings Andy McNeil in goal, along with Lewis Martin and Calvin Beattie.

Debutant Calvin Beattie in action for City

The first real opening arrived after 15 minutes when Grady McGrath teed up Spencer Moreland, whose scooped effort drifted over the crossbar. Two minutes later City went even closer, McGrath again the provider with a clever cutback that found Sheridan sliding in at the near post only for the ball to slip agonisingly wide.

Huntly threatened briefly on 19 minutes when a ball over the top released Brodie Allen, but his powerful near-post strike was well handled by McNeil, who produced a confident save on his league debut for the club.

Brechin responded immediately. Sheridan nearly capitalised on a poor headed backpass a minute later, but his improvised effort with his knee lacked direction and rolled wide. On 26 minutes City were denied again, former City goalkeeper Lenny Wilson reacting sharply to block Mitch Taylor’s close-range attempt.

The breakthrough finally arrived seven minutes before the interval. Adam Hutchinson burst forward unchallenged from his own penalty area, carrying the ball deep into Huntly territory before threading a perfectly weighted pass in behind the defence. CILLIAN SHERIDAN showed great composure, skipping past the advancing Wilson and calmly rolling it into the empty net to give City a fully deserved lead.

Cillian Sheridan is congratulated after opening the scoring

Brechin continued to look the more likely side after the break. Fraser Macleod came close on 55 minutes, creating space on the edge of the box before seeing his left-footed effort skim inches past the post. Three minutes later Sheridan thought he had doubled his tally when he headed home McGrath’s free kick, but the assistant’s flag cut celebrations short for offside.

Chances continued to flow. Brad McKay’s searching pass on the hour picked out Moreland who brought the ball down neatly but blazed over. The midfielder went close again moments later, forcing Wilson into a smart save from the edge of the box.

Huntly rarely troubled McNeil, with Matty Wallace firing well over the bar on 64 minutes in what proved to be their final meaningful effort. Brechin, by contrast, remained in control and could have sealed the points on several occasions. McGrath was denied by Wilson’s outstretched feet on 70 minutes and from the rebound Sheridan attempted an audacious chip that was headed off the line.

Late on, substitute Ben Armour nearly added a second. In the 89th minute McNeil launched a long ball forward that was flicked on by Sheridan, allowing Armour to muscle his way past a defender but once again Wilson stood tall to keep to ensure it stayed 1-0.

Ben Armour is denied by Lenny Wilson late on

At full time, the narrow margin scarcely reflected Brechin City’s dominance. City never looked in danger and managed the game well. It was a crucial win at a tough venue and the perfect way for Andy Kirk to begin his league return.

Attention now turns to a massive double header against Brora Rangers, starting at Dudgeon Park next week where City will look to close the gap on the current league leaders.