The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Brechin survive late scare to grab big win
Brechin City moved three points ahead at the top of the Breedon Highland League after Kevin Mchattie’s stunning strike broke Keith’s stubborn resistance last night.
The defender’s goal midway through the second half was all that separated City and the Maroons at Kynoch Park.
Brechin are three points ahead of second-placed Buckie Thistle and six in front of third-placed Fraserburgh having played a match more than both.
The other contenders play their games in hand tonight with the Jags facing Strathspey Thistle and the Broch tackling Brora Rangers.
City may have hoped to have won by a wider margin to boost their goal difference but struggled to break down a resolute Keith side.
Brechin are five better off than Buckie and nine ahead of Fraserburgh on goal difference.
Keith had former Lossiemouth, Rothes and Deveronvale goalkeeper Darren Mcconnachie playing as a trialist with Craig Reid absent.
The experienced Mcconnachie was required after eight minutes to block a Ewan Loudon drive from the right side of the penalty area.
At the other end goalkeeper Lenny Wilson did well to gather a header back to him from teammate Lewis Martin as Liam Duncan closed in.
Chances were at a premium in the first period with the Maroons doing well to stifle the visitors.
In the 28th minute Brechin’s Murray Mackintosh forced a good save from Mcconnachie down to his left with a strike from 20 yards.
Keith also posed a threat with Matthew Tough almost able to pounce when Wilson spilled a ball into the box.
On 37 minutes, the Brechin custodian did well to hold a powerful Craig Gill volley from the edge of the box. As the interval approached Brechin went close with Euan Spark nodding a Fraser Macleod corner wide from six yards.
The Maroons started the second period on the front foot.
Josh Buchan found Gavin Elphinstone inside the box, but Wilson held his drive. Then Duncan dragged a snap-shot wide from 25 yards.
Brechin tried to up the tempo and take control of the contest and had a flurry of efforts either side of the hour mark. Firstly a
Mchattie free-kick was not cleared by the Maroons and Mackintosh flashed a drive narrowly wide.
Then Loudon did well to create an opening for Jamie Richardson, but he also failed to hit the target.
Mchattie was next to have a go, with Ryan Robertson deflecting his long-range attempt over the crossbar.
Midway through the second half, Mchattie was not to be denied as he swerved a superb left-foot shot into the right corner from 25 yards.
Losing the goal was a blow to Keith, who had put plenty into the game, and they only had 10 men when it went in with Murray Addison down injured.
In the closing stages, Brechin tried to push on to boost their goal difference, but they didn’t create many clear openings.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Keith should have equalised when Nathan Mckeown dispossessed Nathan Cooney and teed up Michael Taylor, but he could only hit the crossbar from 14 yards with the goal gaping.
Kinnoull, bottom of the East of Scotland Premier League, recorded a shock 2-1 away success against title-chasing Musselburgh on Saturday.
Jeanfield’s game away against Dundonald was postponed.
Luncarty lost 4-1 away against Penicuik, Kyle Woolley netting for the Bleachers.
In the Midlands League, Blairgowrie were the only Perthshire winners, 2-0 at Forfar West End.
Two Frankie Devine spot-kicks gave North End a 2-1 success at Coupar Angus and Kirrie Thistle won 2-1 at Scone.
Aiden Edwards and an Aaron Carlon penalty counted for Letham at Tayport who won 3-2 with strikes by Scott Mccomiskie (2) and Jayden Ferguson.
See page 50 for report on last night’s EOSL games.