Albion continued their fine recent run of results with a 2-1 victory over Brechin City at Forthbank. In a game played in conditions varying from damp to saturated there were relatively few chances created but the Binos carved out the clear openings and just about deserved their three point haul. If an observer had only seen the last half an hour of the match then they would be questioning how Brechin had failed to win the game but, in truth, Albion dominated much of the opening hour. Indeed, by the time Colin Cramb smashed a loose ball into the net via the underside of Craig Nelson’s crossbar it looked like the Binos could run away with the game. By this stage a Steven Bell drive that skidded into the net off a greasy pitch had given the home side the lead but City fought back through a neat finish from Darren Smith. The last few minutes were summed up by the fact that Mylse Hogarth in the Albion goal was having his name chanted from the stands after the final whistle; the Albion number one stopping a Stuart Callaghan penalty.

John Fraser was surprisingly absent from the Stirling starting eleven, Chris Aitken given the role of midfield destructor in the team with Nathan Taggart given Aitken’s vacant role on the left hand side of midfield. This was the only change to the side that played out a 0-0 draw with Ayr United last weekend, although Stewart Devine did make a cameo appearance from the bench after a long absence. Brechin’s squad included the trio of giant defenders John Ward, Scott Walker and David White while the dangerous presence of Kevin Byers made a welcome return to the starting eleven. Ex-Albion players Charlie King, Paddy Connolly and Chris Geddes lined up in City’s change strip but none had a major influence on the game despite King threatening down the right on a couple of occasions.

The first half started in a light drizzle that was to become progressively heavier as the half wore on, Albion kicking towards the Monument end of the ground. Nathan Taggart was the main threat early in the game, cutting inside off his left wing to good effect on numerous occasions although his finishing either lacked power or accuracy. Albion grabbed the lead after twenty minutes following a move down the right hand side of the pitch. The ball was cut back to Steven Bell at the edge of the box who’s first touch appeared to be a little short but the midfielder managed a powerful shot that whistled into the back of the net. Craig Nelson in the City goal may have been a bit disappointed to see Bell’s strike beat him but Brechin would be in debt to their experience goalkeeper by the end of the afternoon. Nathan Taggart was denied by a fine save from Nelson as the little winger attempted to beat the keeper from an acute angle. Brechin were only being edged in the possession stakes but failed to create any real chances. Kevin Byers did managed to zigzag through a forest of Albion legs before striking an effort from the edge of the area but found Myles Hogarth was well positioned and able to field the ball comfortably. Byers had earlier seen a powerful volley from the edge of the box deflected wide; a lucky break for the Binos as the drive seemed destined for the corner of the net. There were few other incidents of note in the first half and so the Binos led at half-time by Bell’s solitary strike.

The second half started perfectly for Albion as they had soon doubled their lead. After complaining about the lack of quality from set pieces last weekend Allan Moore had promised they would be worked on in training. Cramb’s goal resulting from a corner was hardly a training ground move but it was enough to give Albion what appeared to be a comfortable cushion. Aitken’s corner was missed by everyone except for Cramb at the back post and the big striker was able to bring the ball down and fire in a bullet off the crossbar and in. City had really created little by this stage and looked like they would go down with a whimper but Albion allowed them a way back into the match three minutes later. Roycroft, who was otherwise fantastic, was brushed off the ball when he was the last man allowing the ball to be rolled across the face of goal for Darren Smith to finish neatly. This heralded a sustained spell of pressure from Brechin that would last until fulltime, however, the guests rarely troubled Myles Hogarth goal despite a series of set pieces in useful positions. Mark McNally nearly diverted a Paddy Connolly centre into his own net but the ex-Celtic defender’s unintentional deflection steered the ball over the bar. This was as good a chance as Brechin could muster before a very soft penalty award appeared to give them a way back into the match. Callaghan ran along the eighteen yard and seemed to trip over his own feet as much as anything else but nevertheless referee Ritchie was convinced enough by the former Alloa man’s fall to award a penalty. Callaghan took it himself but smashed it down the middle where Myles Hogarth’s legs were trailing. The ball pinballed about the Albion defence before a Brechin head lobbed the ball goalwards but once again Hogarth was in top form, tipping the ball over the bar. Albion had sporadically threatened on counter attacks and it was Ian Cashmore who had the best chance to finish the match. He found himself eight yards out and through on goal after neat work from Cramb, however he found Nelson in fantastic form as the City stopper somehow snuffed out his effort. Brechin threw everything forward in the dying minutes as they attempted to claim an equaliser but Albion held firm to claim a well deserved three points.

Allan Moore will be satisfied with the result but has cause to be concerned about the way the Binos sunk right back into their shells after Brechin pulled a goal back. John Fraser’s presence was certainly missed in the middle of the park but it is hard to single out an Albion player who did not do a good enough job. Allan Moore will hope for more firepower upfront as Dene Shields looks shot of confidence while Cashmore is more of a Cramb type player. Certainly Albion will have to be more aggressive as they travel to Kirkcaldy next Saturday to face Raith Rovers, a team who you feel must come good eventually.