Stirling Albion suffered their first league defeat of the season when they were outplayed by a Brechin City team which appears to be starting to justify their pre season tag of promotion favourites. The final score of 5-1 could easily have been more if Myles Hogarth had not produced some good saves. However, defensive errors continue to dog the Albion and 2 of today’s goals were due to these.

The Binos lined up with McNally returning from injury in a back 3 of himself, Rowe and Scotland. Stewart Devine was relegated to the bench. In midfield, there was no starting place for new signing Mike Galloway whilst Paul Hay dropped to the bench to be replaced by McDonald.

The Brechin squad had ex Albion players, Deas and Templeman in the starting line up, with King and Jackson on the bench.

The match kicked off with Archie Knox and Richard Gough watching from the stand and the Albion started brightly with Ferguson having a half chance when the ball came out to him on the edge of the 18 yard box. However, his mis hit shot did not trouble Nelson in the Brechin goal. 2 minutes later, Nugent scooped the ball over the bar from a McDonald free kick.

Brechin responded and Hampshire crossed to Ritchie whose header went over the bar. Brechin were playing some tidy football but the final pass tended to go astray. On 21 minutes, Hogarth managed to get his fingers to a strong Ritchie shot and the ball went over the bar.

The Albion came back and White conceded a free kick when he hauled down O’Brien. McDonald played the ball to McLean but his shot was deflected for a corner.
Glancy then mis hit an O’Brien cross and the ball went safely into Nelson’s hands.

On the half hour mark Brechin brought on Johnson in place of Hamilton who had picked up an injury.

Brechin were starting to dominate the game and a good run by Byers ended with Rowe clearing the danger. Then a low Templeman shot was comfortably held by Hogarth.

Brechin took the lead in 34 minutes. There seemed to be no danger when the ball reached Templeman just outside the 18 yard box. However, his left foot shot was enough to beat Hogarth low to the keepers left hand side. After this, play was predominantly played in the Albion half of the pitch although a breakaway by the Albion almost brought an equaliser. Unfortunately, McLean’s shot across the goals went out for a goal kick. As half time approached, the Albion pressed forward for the equaliser but there was nobody on hand to take advantage of O’Brien’s cut back from a Ferguson pass. Then a shot from Ferguson was gathered by Nelson at the second attempt.

Half time came with Brechin holding a slender 1-0 lead but nobody expected the disaster which was to befall the Albion in the second half.

Neither team made any changes at half time and Templeman scorned an early opportunity to increase his team’s lead. Having beaten McNally, the experienced defender managed to recover and clear the danger.

A typical Ferguson run ended with O’Brien’s shot being palmed over by Nelson. Then, Brechin increased their lead when Scotland was dispossessed by Templeman. The lanky forward ran into the box and slotted the ball calmly past Hogarth despite the keeper getting a touch on the ball. 2-0 to Brechin.

Shortly after that, Nugent was replaced by Gethins, much to the annoyance of some of the Albion fans. Whilst Paul had had a good game, it was obvious that Moore was wanting some more attacking options.

5 minutes later, Templeman completed the perfect hat trick when he fired past Hogarth form just outside the 18 yard box. 3-0 to Brechin.

Smith then came on for Hampshire although there was a bit of confusion, initially, as the substitute was actually wearing Charlie King’s number 15 shirt. As Charlie had played for the Albion, most fans knew that the sub was not King, as announced, unless Charlie had undergone a height transplant. A few minutes later, all was rectified when Smith changed his shirt for the number 16 as listed.

The Albion then made their second change when Galloway, who had only signed from Gretna the day before came on for McDonald. Shortly after that, Brechin should have made it 4-0 when Hogarth managed to save McNally’s blushes to deny Templeman. The Albion then made their final change with Devine coming on in place of Scotland.

In 67 minutes, the Albion pulled one back when O’Brien controlled a cross from the right and sent a left foot shot past Nelson at the keeper’s near post. 3-1 to Brechin and Albion fans were expecting a fight back. However, Brechin quickly restored their 3 goal advantage when McNally gave the ball away to Templeman who played the ball into the path of Byers. The midfielder sent a low shot past Hogarth to make it 4-1.

Brechin then brought on another ex-Albion favourite, Chris Jackson, in place of Winter.

Templeman wrapped up the scoring in 84 minutes when he scored his own fourth goal from close range. White of Brechin was booked in the dying minutes as the match finished 5-1 in favour of Brechin.

Having drawn their last 4 matches, most people were expecting the Albion to lose some day. However, the size of the defeat and the manner in which it was done, was very disappointing. Too many players chose today to have their worst game and mistakes certainly contributed to their downfall.

I don’t like the system of playing 3 at the back, especially with McNally returning after a long lay off. Galloway looked good in midfield when he came on with his incisive passing and continual talking. The goals will surely return for McLean.

We now have 2 away games in a row and it might be a good time to get away from Forthbank and some of the fans who constantly seem to criticise the players. Some of these fans never have a good word to say and their constant barracking of the younger players is doing nobody any good. If we can get good results in the next 2 matches, it might be enough to shut them up but I very much doubt that. However, we should look on the bright side and remember that we are in 3rd position and ahead of Morton.