Double injury blow adds to Brechin woe

BUCKIE THISTLE 2 BRECHIN CITY 1

Brechin City crashed out of the Irn Bru Challenge Cup at the first hurdle, losing an early lead to go down 2-1 to Highland League titleholders Buckie Thistle.

Manager Darren Dods’ disappointment was compounded by injuries late in the tie.

He said: “We looked comfortable in the first half but in the second period we played into their hands with long balls down the middle.

“They put pressure on us playing downhill in the second half and we didn’t react.

“To make things worse we are going back down the road with two potentially serious injuries. Ryan McGeever looks like he may have a broken wrist while Ewan Spark took a bad one right at the death.”

The Championship side were the first to threaten, Ally Love cracking the bar with a header before the breakthrough arrived on the quarter-hour mark.

A corner swung in to the area wasn’t dealt with by the home defence allowing Paul McLean to cash in, firing past Daniel Bell.

Andy Jackson then saw a header saved but that seemed to spark the home team to life.

Drew Copeland recorded their first shot of note, firing wide from 14 yards then Sam Urquhart skied a volley with which he should have at least tested the visitors’ keeper.

He was involved in the leveller, though, hitting a shot into the path of sub Kevin Fraser who curled the ball into the net.

The game opened up and both teams passed up gilt-edged chances within the space of a minute.

McGeever’s shot was kept out by the flailing Bell and the outside of the post. The Jags swept upfield and won a corner and, after Chris Angus failed to connect from three yards, Urquhart could only flick the ball into Graeme Smith’s arms.

Buckie had kept two key men on the bench until the second half and it proved to be a masterstroke as the Highland League champions turned the game around.

Angus should have given the Jags the lead but with only Smith to beat he dallied before slamming the shot against the keeper. However, Kevin Fraser was first to the rebound and waltzed past two defenders before lifting the ball past the keeper.