Derby Delight As Win Seals Play Off Spot For The Loons

Brechin City 0 Forfar Athletic 1

Forfar Athletic and a sizeable support travelled the short distance to Glebe Park knowing victory would more than likely seal what has been in touching distance for weeks - a place in the play offs, with the treasure at the end of the rainbow, a place in Division One.

The Boss fielded the same starting eleven as began the Alloa match, and straight from the whistle Forfar showed their appetite.

The match was only minutes old before Dow was taking on and beating home defenders, creating two chances into the bargain. A shot from Campbell was blocked and then a Templeman effort was palmed away by Nelson. On the quarter hour mark a pass back from McLean to Nelson was chased down by Gibson and the ball rebounded off of both players and towards an empty goal, as Hilson chased to score, White arrived a second too early and cleared for a corner.

Brechin created their best chance of the half atfer 22 minutes when McKenna sped down the right and found Megginson in space, fortunately for Forfar he drilled the ball wide of the target. That was the last positive action McKenna was to see, as minutes later he was shown a straight red card for sharing his studs with the leg of a Forfar player. Although the linesman saw the incident, it took some minutes before the referee sent the culprit packing, and at one point it appeared Ross Campbell was going to have the luxury of an early bath!

For the remainder of the half the Loons were in control. After 31 minutes Hilson fed a pass to Dow, who returned the favour and Hilson fired a low effort across goal and inches away from the outstreched foot of Gibson. Dow and Hilson were soon menacing the Brechin defence again this time Dow fired straight at Nelson. On the stroke of half time a Dow deep cross was headed clear but only as far as Campbell who found Fotheringham in space, Foxy lifted the ball over Nelson and inches over the bar.

The first chance of the second half almost saw Brechin grab the lead, a loose ball fell at the feet of McKay in front of goal and he fired an excellent effort which was well saved by Duffy. The deadlock was broken however after 57 minutes when Ross Campbell fired a low shot at Nelson and as the home keeper fumbled in front of Hilson he took advantage and from two yards out bundled the ball over the line. Three minutes later and Fotheringham crossed over for Bolocheweckyj to head inches past.

As the Loons made their one man advantage count, they continued to press the Brechin defence. Fotheringham collected a Ross pass before splitting the defence for Hilson to chase, the speedy forward reached the ball at the same as the onrushing Nelson and it then appeared that he was brought down by the keeper. The referee ran to the spot where the incident had taken place, and instead of pointing to the spot, he incredibly booked the Forfar player for diving.

The final fifteen minutes saw Forfar run out of steam somewhat and Brechin attempted to grab an equaliser, but never really troubled Duffy and his defence.

So at last, the Loons have reached the play offs, and considering they were the bookies favourites to get relegated at the beginning of the season, it's been an amazing season so far.

And it's not over yet !

Match Report by Kevin Brown