Brechin only took six minutes to square the tie. They applied some
pressure winning a corner which was cleared by the Academy defence. It was
however whipped straight back into the Academy half with the ball being forced
out by Grant Campbell for a throw-in. The
throw was sent into the Academy box and Kris Renton rose above the Academy
defence to nod the ball down to the feet of Charlie King and he fired home from
15 yards out.
1 – 1
Academy were next to threaten when Stewart Ross broke up a Brechin attack,
and sent Sam Mackay on his way up-field. Mackay slid the ball inside to Macadie
who fed to Cunningham. He pushed the ball to Craig Shearer and the crowd were on
their feet as Shearer's cross-goal attempt shaved the outside of the Brechin post.
In the next Brechin attack the ball was played up-field into the Academy
right corner. Rory McAllister chased it down in a foot-race with Andrew
MacLeod. MacLeod tried to clear the ball but slipped on the muddy surface and
McAllister nicked the ball, chipped it over the heads of the Academy back-line
to Kevin Byres and he side-footed into the net.
1 – 2
With 35 minutes played Brechin strung together a good move from Barry Smith
and Charlie King breaking into the Academy box before Kevin Byres had a pop at
goal but Alan Bokas got behind the ball well as it skidded off the greasy
surface.
2 minutes later David Allan again hit the booster button and got in front of
his defender but his shot skimmed just wide of the target.
It was end to end stuff and Brechin were next to attack when Renton broke into the box
but Stewart Ross got in a great defensive block to turn his shot for a corner.
With three minutes left before half-time and Academy playing some really
great football they got their reward when David Allan broke from a challenge
from Willie Dyer, slid a through-ball to Sam Mackay who skipped past keeper
Nelson and knocked it home.
2 – 2
So half time almost there and time to catch breath and have a cup of tea,
not a hope, as David Allan set the crowd alight for the second time in as many
minutes. Gary Manson started the move by sending Richard Macadie up the wing
and he split the Brechin defence with a piercing pass. David Alan screamed
through and broke the off-side trap. He went one-on-on with the keeper and
although Neilson blocked Allan's first attempt the young striker kept his cool
and fired home at the second time of asking.
3 – 2
Half Time 3 – 2
With 59 minutes gone Brechin manager Jim Duffy knew he had a game on his
hands and he made his first change, ex-Cowdenbeath central defender Gary Fusco
coming on for Kris Renton.
With an hour gone Academy had Brechin on the back foot again. Richard
Macadie chipped the ball into the area for David Allan who chased it down and
as Nelson came out to try to clear the ball he caught Allan's legs and referee
Brown pointed to the penalty spot. He gave Nelson a yellow card for his efforts
and as the Harmsworth crowd held their breath Sam Mackay placed the ball on the
spot, took a short run-up and fired the ball home to the right of Nelson to
give the Scorries an incredible 2 goal lead. If the Harmsworth Park had a roof it would have been lifted off as the Harmsworth Roar must have been heard all over the town.
4 – 2
Duffy rung the changes in an attempt to get his team back into the game,
Neil Janczyk and Kevin Bryers coming off for Mark Cowan and Mark Docherty.
Within seconds the men from Brechin were right back in the game. The goal
came from nothing really. Brechin managed to punt it long up the park and it was
collected by ex-Caley Thistle and Scotland under 21 international
Rory McAllister. He took his time and sent a 20 yard shot towards goal that
looked to take a nick off someone in the penalty area and flew past a helpless
Bokas.
4 – 3
You could feel the tension in the Harmsworth
Park as the home crowd
kicked every ball. 15 minutes to hold out and cause a Cup shock, but alas it
wasn't to be. With only 5 minutes of the game left Brechin amazingly tied the scores. Mark Cowan set-up Charlie King and he smacked home the leveller to the
relief of the Brechin players, supporters, management, and committee.
4 – 4
As the clock ran down referee Brown blew for full-time and the Academy
players were cheered off the park for what was a fantastic performance. The
under-dogs had given the SFL side a real game and in truth deserved to win as
they played the better football.
Full time 4 – 4
So a replay now due for next Saturday at Glebe Park and both sides are still
in with a chance of getting into the 4th round but Brechin I'm sure
are mighty relieved that they are still in the competition. The draw for that
takes place on Monday and Brechin now know that if they want their name in the
hat they are going to have to fight for it, as Academy will take real belief
from today's performance that they have it in them to go down the road and
cause an upset. The whole county are behind you boys, so good luck for next
weekend.
Sponsors Man of the match David Allan
Pictured receiving his award from James Innes and son Grant, on behalf of match associate sponsor Achairn Energy Ltd
