Accies 1 Brechin City 0: Saturday, 3 February 2001

Scottish League Divison 3, Firhill Stadium, Glasgow

Saturday, 3 February 2001

TEAM NEWS

Accies were unchanged for the third week in a row following their 4-1 thumping of East Stirlingshire the previous week, which meant that Allan Russell had recovered from a virus. Dylan Kerr was playing the final game of his "trial".

FIRST HALF

The first half was fairly even, with both teams producing several half chances but being unable to score.

Accies did have a good claim for a penalty, when Michael Moore appeared to be brought down, but the referee waved away the appeals. The outstanding chance of the half came to Accies after about 21 minutes, when Michael Moore was pushed by Greig Smith when about to shoot from close in. This time the referee did give it, but the normally reliable Stuart Callaghan's low trundler was saved easily.

There were a couple of other good chances - and two of them fell to Stuart Callaghan. The first one followed some great play on the right by David McFarlane and a deep cross into the box. Callaghan met it at full speed but his shot flew well wide of the goal. On another occasion, he fired in a shot from just inside the penalty area but the 'keeper saved well.

The final chance of the half fell to Dylan Kerr. The ball came to him about 15 yards out following a corner. He rushed his attempt, however, and the ball flew just over the bar.

Brechin had a few chances in the first half as well but they were unable to produce great problems for either Ian Macfarlane or substitute goalie Graham Potter in the Accies goal. (Faldo was injured in the first half and had to go off.)

So it was goalless at half time and they players left the field to unenthusiastic applause at half time. This was nothing like the East Stirlingshire game.

SECOND HALF

Accies took ages to reappear for the second half - presumably they were receiving some heated advice from Ally Dawson. Anyway, they appeared to be fired up after the break and it was no huge surprise when they took the lead after 53 minutes. But the manner in which the goal arrived certainly was a surprise.

Accies won a free kick on the right and Stuart Callaghan swung in a dangerous cross. Michael Moore went up for it, but it was veteran Brechin striker Roddy Grant who headed it neatly past his own 'keeper. Oh, how the Accies fans relished his misery. The number of times I'd seen Roddy score against Accies and here he was scoring a really vital goal for us. Thanks Roddy, we'll never forget this noble gesture.

The goal really helped Accies and they went in search of a clincher. On the other hand, it also inspired Brechin and they had Accies on the back foot for a reasonable proportion of the second half. They created some chances too, with a volley from defender Harry Cairney being the pick of the bunch. But it was not to be. Incidentally, it was very interesting to see how slowly one of their players moved to take a corner in injury time - didn't they want to get something from this game?

Accies themselves had some great chances, with Allan Russell being out of touch in front of goal when put clear on the right. The best chance, perhaps, was created for himself by midfielder Jim Sherry. Wee Jim won the ball out on the left and ran through on the 'keeper. His low shot was well struck and heading for the bottom corner, but was touched away by the Brechin goalie.

There was no further scoring and the Accies players left the field to a well deserved ovation from the fans.

IN CONCLUSION...

This was a game which will be very significant when the prizes are being handed out at the end of the season. Despite the efforts of a well organised Brechin team who created quite a few chances, I think Accies were worthy winners at the final whistle. It was a fairly poor game, with two reasonably well matched sides.

If there had been journalists there with their cliche books handy, they would have said that Accies played like champions in that they weren't great but they still won against one of their closest rivals.

I suppose then that it wasn't memorable, but the fact that Accies have won while Brechin have lost (obviously) made it all worthwhile.

It was especially poignant that it was Roddy Grant who scored the goal for Accies. Having been on the receiving end throughout his career, it was great for Accies to profit from his goal scoring prowess at last.

Accies : Macfarlane (Potter), Martin, Callaghan, Gaughan, Oliver, Kerr, Sherry, Russell (Davidson), Moore, McFarlane (Eadie) and Bonnar.

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