Glebe Park, Scottish Cup 3rd Round, 29/11/21
Entrance – £10
Attendance – 577
Pie – £7 Pie x 2 and Diet Coke
Pint – Tennents, £2.50, City Bar
Brechin City Football Club
Founded – 1906
Nickname – The Hedgemen
Honours – Second Division – 1982/83, 1989/90, 2004/05, Third Division – 2001/02
Random Fact – The clubs biggest loss comes in at 10 v 0 and has happened on three occasions. Incredibly all in one season v Airdrieonians, Cowdenbeath and Albion Rovers in 1937/38
Storm Arseho……Arwen was still causing me grief throughout the day leading up to this. A leaky roof (multiple points) and still no electricity seventy-two hours on. This meaning no heating which in turn led to Wee Man having to sit this one out as he did on Saturday. This due to the fact he cannot stay with me as he will freeze in the house. This also means that although it’s a Highland League related game it doesn’t count for book purposes as Junior was not in tow.
Glebe Park is one of my favourite grounds going. It has a bit of everything. The old-style main stand, the simple enclosure and terrace, the new stand which is behind the goal which is rare (although my own team are in the same boat). There are the changing rooms in a separate block and the old-fashioned entrance gate with its pristine white walls. (Again, another similarity to Pittodrie) Then of course there is the famous hedge, which is currently looking very autumn like and browning. It is also up there with the most frequented grounds throughout my life and almost top of the pile. It would be fighting it out with Balmoor and Gayfield to be in third place behind Pittodrie and North Lodge. One thing I had never done before is had a pint in the supporter’s bar before. Today that was changed, and good to see it was taking in a decent amount of cash for the club with supporters of both clubs in.
A strange game this one as there was not much of note throughout but I have seen a lot worse games. The match was was lucky to go ahead as it failed an initial pitch inspection at 14.30 but a secondary look later deemed it playable. But “only just” according to the Brechin committee member I spoke to. As I entered the ground, I was amused to see the young Brechin fans creating a respectable din and even having a wee sing off with the Darvel fans across the David Will Stand. Good on them and good to see young loons supporting local instead of taking the easy option. Another thing immediately of note was a rangers themed flag the Darvel supporters had. Last time I checked that team was playing in Livingston chucking snowballs at the keeper and were not in Brechin. They also had not been in Brechin for seven years since they were still finding their feet in League football after their inception. A very strange mentality. Anyway, I digress. On to the game. It started out with both teams clearly trying to suss each other out. Brechin came more into and had the better share of the ball but seemed to want to walk the ball into the net rather than try their luck. There were a few half chances but nothing solid. This allowed Darvel to get their tails up a bit the longer it stayed at 0 v 0 and get themselves into the game, so much so they took the lead on around half an hour through ex Brechin player Jordan Kirkpatrick volleyed home from inside the box. Brechin continued to have more of the ball but again they failed to do anything with it. Not much of a spectacle and the visitors went into the half in the lead. As I said earlier not many talking points
HT 0 v 1
Brechin started the second half brighter and pulled a decent save out of Truesdale when Gary Wood tried his luck. Brechin like in the first half had the better of the ball and it was a decent team move that got them on level terms. Almost like a rugby move the ball went from left to right pass, pass pass and when Wood found Cox I though the striker should have put it one pass further. But what do I know as Cox absolutely lashed the ball into the back of the net much to the delight of those behind the goal in the Cemetery End. Cox had had a decent game so far and deserved his goal. For a wee guy he is incredibly strong and has an arse to rival John McGinn. Darvel had their best chance of the half when Scott Ferguson was through on goal, but Ross in the City goal was rapid off his line to close the angle and pull off a decent save to keep the score level. Brechin kept chipping away looking for the winner but again didn’t really create much despite the possession. Defender Davidson has the best chance when he headed fractionally wide from a corner. The game started to peter out and the replay was becoming inevitable, and it will happen as the final whistle blew meaning the Angus side will have to return the favour by traveling to Ayrshire on Saturday. A draw a fair enough result.
In the end I am glad this didn’t qualify for the book as it would have been a very short chapter. Will I do the replay? Decisions.
Me still 215
FITBAWBAG 