Brechin City v Stirling Albion

Written by RedWeb

Saturday, 01 May 2010

Brechin City 1 (Charlie King) Stirling Albion 1 (Michael Mullen) Stirling Albion Scott Christie Andy Graham Ross Forsyth Brian Allison Jonathan Page Scott Robertson Nathan Taggart Andy Gibson Michael Mullen Iain Russell David O'Brien Subs: Chris Aitken on for 7 Paul Murphy on for 9 David McKenna on for 10 Derek Colquhoun (Unused) Myles Hogarth (GK) Brechin City Craig Nelson Richard Walker Mark Docherty Barry Smith Jonathan Seeley Krisjanis Vallers Terry Masson Gary Fusco Mark Archdeacon Charlie King Steven Canning Subs: Kevin Byers on for 11 Mark Cowan on for 6 David Scott (GK) Irn Bru Scottish League - Division Two Saturday 1st May, 2010 Glebe Park Attendance: 1,102 D-Day for the Beanos and their supporters with the Division Two title there for the taking. Following the dramatic events of Tuesday at Central Park the requirement for Allan Moore's men was a point. The significance of Andy Graham's 94th minute leveller couldn't be underestimated as long time leaders Alloa had to defeat Cowdenbeath to have any chance. Although the Albion now had more breathing room than seemed likely after 93 minutes of Central Park action it was still bound to be a tense day for all backing the Forthbank team at Glebe Park. Jim Duffy's men were all but assured of a play-off place and so came into the game with nothing much more than pride at stake. With top scorer Rory McAllister suspended and a batch of injuries the home side could only name two of the more normal four outfield substitutes. Team lines for Stirling showed just the once change from midweek as Chris Aitken dropped to the bench to allow Brian Allison to return to the starting line-up. The match kicked off with Stirling shooting down the Glebe Park slope. It was the visitors who made the better start and Michael Mullen was just off target with a header following a David O'Brien corner kick. The former Stranraer man had better luck with only eight minutes on the clock. A ball into the box was met by Iain Russell whose lay-off fell perfectly for MICHAEL MULLEN to curl in a cracker from 15 yards. Superb strike from the Albion striker and a dream start for the Beanos. It continued to be all Stirling in the early going and a driven ball picked out Iain Russell whose attempted lob was grabbed by an alert Craig Nelson. Good play then saw David O'Brien burst clear before smashing in a shot which Craig Nelson could only parry before gathering at the second attempt. More Stirling pressure and another half chance as Scott Robertson headed a David O'Brien corner over the bar from six yards. Michael Mullen Curls In The Opener The home side had been a distinct second best but a punt up the park caused Brian Allison to bring down his man. The referee cautioned the on-loan Falkirk defender for his efforts but Brechin provided a bigger punishment. From the free kick CHARLIE KING curled in a fantastic shot which dipped just inside Scott Christie's left hand post. A real peach from the former Albion man and Stirling pulses were once again racing as the match was now back in the melting pot. The blow of losing their lead didn't seem to effect Stirling too much as they soon had Brechin under pressure again. After a cross from the Albion right was only partially cleared, Andy Gibson pulled a shot past Craig Nelson's left hand post. A Ross Forsyth centre was glanced wide by Iain Russell as Allan Moore's side pushed to get back on top. Having set up a chance the Beanos skipper then had a go himself but his well struck 20 yarder sailed just wide of the target. Not many chances in the opening period but plenty of tension none the less. Therefore as the referee blew for the half-time Key Lime Cheesecake it remained locked at one each. With Alloa trailing at the interval things were still very much under control but as we all know 45 minutes is a long time in football. Half-Time:  Brechin City 1 Stirling Albion 1 No changes from either manager at the break but only a couple of minutes into the second period and the match took a turn for the worse for those backing the Beanos. A punt up the park was allowed to bounce by Brian Allison and as in the first half a clumsy tackle saw the Stirling defender earn a booking. Sadly for Albion title hopes this was of course Brian's second yellow of the game and so with barely two minutes of the second half played the visitors were down to 10 men. Albion manager Allan Moore reacted to losing a man by making a double change. Off came Michael Mullen and Nathan Taggart as Chris Aitken and Paul Murphy came on to the park. These moves led to Iain Russell now ploughing a lone furrow up front with the midfield helping out when they could. Brechin's first booking of the game came when Richard Walker was carded for a foul on Iain Russell. With the Beanos now limited in their attacking ambitions the match became all about Stirling being solid and restricting the home sides opportunities. This is actually what happened as City seemed fairly content to pass the ball about the back and not pressure Stirling too much. Any balls up front either trundled out of the park or were easily collected by Scott Christie. In the absence of Rory McAllister the home side's attacking options were clearly limited and his presence will be sorely required if the Glebe Park outfit are to make a noise in the play-offs. About this time news began to filter through of an Alloa equaliser at Recreation Park. With Cowdenbeath also down to 10 men it suddenly began to look like we wouldn't be able to rely on an Alloa slip up to ease our nerves. Brechin then used the first of their substitutions as Kevin Byers replaced Steven Canning. The visitors were getting very little out of the referee and Iain Russell was booked for bundling into a City player. No more goals so far in the second half at Glebe Park but they were now flowing at the Recs as Alloa went 2-1 up on Cowdenbeath. What this meant was that Stirling had to hang on to what they had. Defeat would see the trophy carrying helicopter heading to Clackmananshire. A long range strike from sub Kevin Byers had Albion hearts in mouths but thankfully the ball skimmed just wide of Scott Christie's right hand post. Up the other end Chris Aitken tugged a shot past Craig Nelson's near post but Albion eyes were now more focused on watches as time ticked away. Alloa were now two goals clear and a goal for City would be disastrous. The home side made another switch as Mark Cowan replaced big Latvian Krisjanis Vallers. About the same time Allan Moore also made his last change as Iain Russell was given a breather to allow David McKenna to take the lone striking role. Nerves were being shredded amongst the Albion support and I for one was having heart failure any time Brechin crossed the half-way line. However, for all their possession it has to be said Brechin barely forced Scott Christie into any meaningful action. A spell of City pressure ended with a 20 yard shot curling well wide of goal. This proved to be the last chance of the game and after a couple of minutes of stoppage time the referee called an end to the match. A quite incredible end to a season in which all looked lost only a matter of three weeks ago. Trailing the leaders Alloa by 15 points it seemed the title was Recreation Park bound. However, Allan Moore's side sucked it up and started to find form when they needed it most. Combined with some Alloa jitters the lead suddenly collapsed and having hit the front last weekend the Albion saw the job through. Well done to the management team and the players for delivering our first title in 15 years. The Skipper With The Trophy Allan Moore and His Men Celebrate Championees !! Match Photographs - Celebration Photographs

 

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