Brechin Match Summary

Dundee United draw with Brechin in an entertaining but relatively fruitless performance at a freezing cold Glebe Park.

By Gordon Aitchison 

As expected, Csaba László named the same starting eleven from last weekend's comfortable victory over Falkirk in the Ladbrokes Scottish Championship. Darren Dodds made two changes from his side, beaten by a single goal at Dumbarton last time out, Fusco and Sinclair dropping to the bench, replaced by Finn Graham and Euan Smith.

Dundee United, playing in their away strip of all black set out to cement their position at the top of the league, however, it was Brechin who started the game the brighter, forcing two early corners.

Beyond that opening burst it is hard to recall Brechin spending much time at the United end of the pitch for the remainder of the half. United controlled the game with accurate passing and notably stretching the Brechin defence by pushing both Robson and Murdoch forward as soon as they had possession.

The Tangerines looked increasingly likely to break the deadlock as the half progressed as King, McDonald and Fraser all tested Graeme Smith in the Brechin goal. The best chance in a frenetic spell on twenty five minutes saw King latch on to a fantastic through ball from Fyvie, but his touch into the path of McDonald was just cleared by Ware at the heart of the Brechin defence.

The breakthrough did come for United just before the half hour mark, another bursting run through the middle saw Billy King feed Stuart Murdoch. The full back played a neat exchange with Stanton and then fired in a cross which deflected to Scott McDonald three yards from goal and the Australian striker swept the ball past the helpless keeper, Smith.

United dominated the remaining fifteen minutes, with only a brief Isaac Layne foray into the United half providing any rest bite for the resolute Brechin defence.

Half Time: Brechin 0-1 United

As they did in the first half, Brechin started at pace in the second, Isaac Layne driving a shot from twenty yards which deflected for a corner. From the resultant set piece, Sean Crichton rose unchallenged in the middle of the area to power a header past Harry Lewis drawing “The City” level. They were nearly ahead a couple of minutes later as the same player was left unattended for another corner, this time the effort was deflected wide.

As the game passed the hour mark it was Brechin that looked the more likely to add to their tally. Former Southend striker Layne was causing problem after problem for the United defence.

The players in black were howling for offside as Layne again got the better of the defence, but his effort was high and wide. McLennan was nearly through on goal, this time Flood was to the rescue as Brechin pushed. Scobbie was also cautioned in the run up to the chance. 

James Keatings was introduced in place of Stanton as Csaba László tried to put United on the front foot of a game they were rapidly falling out of.

Former United man Spark found himself in the referee's book for a wild challenge on Robson from Keatings's free kick, then Dale was booked for deflecting the ball away with his hands; the second effort was driven across goal but with no takers.

McDonald was provided a great opportunity on eighty minutes, a whipped cross by Keatings looked easy to slide into the net, however his effort looped over the bar.

Paul McMullan came on for Billy King as the game entered the final few minutes. McLennan then had another great attempt after a driving run, but his saved effort was just out of reach of the closing Spark and Fyvie cleared the danger.

Another Keatings cross was cleared by Ware as both teams pushed for a winning goal.

Tam Scobbie received a second yellow in the ninetieth minute for pulling back the impressive McLennan. Brechin brought on Sinclair and his only act  was to take the resultant free kick, which drew a fine save from Lewis.

Full Time: Brechin 1-1 United

Summary: United will rue the missed opportunity to stay clear at the top of the table. A poor performance in the second half, where they were arguably second best to the team at the bottom of the table, will give the new manager a different perspective from the game last week.

Man of the match: Fraser Fyvie; another assured performance from the United midfielder on a day where there were no outstanding candidates.

Teams:
Brechin City: Smith, McLean, Dyer, Dale, Graham (Sinclair 90) Layne, Watt
Spark, Orsi (McLennan 61) , Crichton, Smith
Unused Subs: Fusco, O’Neill, Lynas,  O’Neil (GK), 

Dundee United: Lewis, Murdoch, Scobbie, Durban, McDonald, Fraser, King (McMullan 85) , Stanton (Keatings 75)Flood, Robson, Fyvie
Unused Subs: Quinn, Edjenguele, Smith, Chalmers, Denis (GK)

Referee: Barry Cook

Crowd:2,627