Disappointment looms as Brechin City draws with Buckie Thistle, trailing in the title chase.
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In a gripping encounter at Glebe Park, Brechin City dropped crucial points in their pursuit of the Breedon Highland League title after a 2-2 draw with Buckie Thistle. The match left Brechin’s manager, Patrick Cregg, feeling disheartened as his team slipped two points behind league leaders Brora Rangers.
Despite having a game in hand, the pressure is mounting as the season progresses.
Mixed feelings after the draw
Cregg expressed his disappointment following the match, acknowledging that while the team managed to equalize twice, they lacked the dominance needed to secure a win.
“These are games that we want to be winning and ultimately games that we need to be winning,” he stated. The manager emphasized the importance of winning every match, especially with the upcoming clash against Brora Rangers looming on March 15.
Changes in the lineup
Following a previous draw with Banks o’ Dee, Cregg made several changes to the starting lineup, benching key players including goalkeeper Lenny Wilson. He explained that he wanted to freshen up the team, noting that Isaac Carmody, the replacement goalkeeper, had been training well. The adjustments aimed to inject new energy into the squad, but the results were not as expected.
Buckie Thistle’s resilience
On the other side, Buckie Thistle’s manager, Lewis MacKinnon, was pleased with his team’s performance, feeling they could have snatched a victory. The Thistle’s 3-4-1-2 formation proved effective, with Fin Allen scoring both goals for his side. MacKinnon praised the partnership between Allen and Aaron Nicolson, highlighting their ability to create opportunities and keep the Brechin defense under pressure.
Key moments in the match
The match saw Buckie take the lead with a stunning 20-yard shot from Allen. Brechin responded with a penalty from Dayle Robertson after a foul in the box. The back-and-forth continued as Buckie regained the lead, only for Brechin to equalize again through Marc Scott. The game was filled with chances, but neither side could find the decisive goal, leaving both teams with a share of the points.
Looking ahead
As the season approaches its climax, the pressure intensifies for Brechin City. With Brora Rangers extending their lead at the top, every match becomes crucial. Cregg’s side must capitalize on their game in hand and aim for victories in the remaining fixtures to keep their title hopes alive. Meanwhile, Buckie Thistle looks to build on this encouraging performance as they aim to finish the season strongly.
