Glebe Park, Highland Football League, 25/3/26
Brechin City Football Club
Founded – 1906
Nicknames –City, The Hedgemen
Honours – Second Division – 1982/83, 1989/90, 2004/05, Third Division – 2001/02. Scottish League Division C – 1953/54. Highland League – 2022/23. Scottish Qualifying Cup- 1950/51. Forfarshire Cup – 1909/10, 1952/53, 1958/59, 1996/97 and 2008/09.
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
They came for a “short time” but they are still here, but not for long as they go at the end of the season no matter what transpires in the title race. Will it be to League 2 or will it be the Lowland League East(shaping up to arguably be a tougher league than the SPFL bottom tier). One thing is for sure this would most likely be the last time I was to see them as the only non-Highland team to grace the greatest league in the world(if you are using the Highland Boundary Fault line as a cut off).
With an opportunity to nip down I was in two minds whether to take this on or not but the lure was too much. I had a feeling this would be a big night in the title race as I had a sneaky suspicion Formartine would get something here which added to my want to see this. So after a lovingly made roast (aye its nae Sunday but it was a freezing cold day and its a great accompaniment to such a minging snowy crap fest) I headed to the Lowlands entering just on kick off. After watching Formartine in the worst HFL game I have ever witnessed on Saturday, they surely had to be better tonight. Not a high bar granted but this was definitely a better showing and despite there being not much between the teams I would say the Pitmedden men shaded it. But to be honest there was not much in terms of chances at either end. It looked like a draw was coming early on. The first half didn’t have much going on. Julian Wade was clearly targeted by the home side and was subjected to some rough treatment which the striker stood up well too all game. Both teams lacked any real width throughout leading to a dearth of any excitement on the final third. Formartine created the first real chance when Murison sent a header over the bar into the stand. He should at least of tested McNeil in the home goal but barring that there was nothing to raise the heat in the Baltic temperatures at Glebe. The molten gravy in my pie kept my body heat up early on though but it wasn’t to last and I was jeelt once devoured and just as I finished the last chunk of pastry, Cillian Sheridan left the park injured. The first of three injuries for Brechin throughout the 90, the loss of the striker clearly a blow. The only other notable moment in the half was an amusing tête-à-tête between me and a native. After willing Julian Wade on when it looked like he was through the ball was cleared(I think he was called offside too) a local said to me “fair play coming down when you have fuck all to play for and out of the title race. It’s fucking freezing and snowing. Good on you”. This put forward with an annoying level of arrogance. To this I replied “I am here in the hope of seeing you cunts drop points as opposed to Formartine winning”, this with the perfect desired level of clamping of his gob shut. I wish I saw him on the way out.
HT 0 v 0
The second half was much and such the same, Wade was being manhandled, the game was far too narrow but there was more in terms of chances. The first fell to Wade who ran on to a ball over the top which McNeil also came for but left himself stranded, the striker tried the up and over but it went just past the post. A let off for Brechin. City came even closer after the move of the game. Starting in their own half, a multi-pass move saw Formartine chasing shadows but the culmination of the move saw Findlay put the ball agonizingly past McKenzies right hand post. It was worthy of a goal. Very good fitba on the eye. Hamish Ritchie was next up when he attempted a long ranger from maybe 30 yard only for it to fly past the post. Formartine captain Rodger was then kicking himself when he got on the end of a Ritchie corner only to see his effort go wide from 10 yards, it almost looked as if it caught him by surprise, maybe the wrong man on the end of it, a more seasoned goals scorer would surely have hit the target at least. As the game was burning on and the dreaded 0 v 0 looked as if was going to become a reality (although not a bad game) I couldn’t help but think the final whistle would be a blessing as the drum behind the goal was grating me massively come the end, I couldn’t tune out of it. I don’t mind a drum at the fitba usually but this was just being hit with no rhythm and no purpose, just a 90 minute durl of random hits. The final whistle went and the winners here were Brora Rangers. Five points ahead with Brechin one game behind. Granted, they have to play each other, but Brora’s refusal to shift the game at Dudgeon Park from midweek looks to be a masterstroke as all the pressure will be on the visiting City now. The run in is set up perfectly now.
As for the drive back to AB51, that awful hypnotic funnel effect snow was in full force. Its almost April for fuck sake.
Entrance – £12
Attendance – 520(rough head count)
Pie – £5.50, Pie and Coffee
Pint– Nae time
FITBAWBAG 