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Locos were well beaten by Brechin City at Glebe Park, despite a much improved performance. After holding the title hopefuls for almost an hour, the quality at the hosts disposal proved too much as they showed the sort of ruthlessness in front of goal that the Railwaymen would love to find.
Mark Souter returned to the line up, as did Daniel Agnew, and Locos held their own in an entertaining first half. Ethan Cairns, who was bright throughout, showed good skill to beat his defender, only to be hauled down as he approached the right hand side of the penalty area. He then had an effort well saved by Andrew McNeil in the City goal.
Cairns tried his luck again, sending a shot across goal and wide of the post. The home side then enjoyed a good spell, with Spencer Moreland going close twice, driving wide before seeing his low effort saved by Blessing Oluyemi.
Despite the lack of goals, it was an enjoyable game to watch, with little between the teams. The start of the second half played out in much the same way but when The Hedgemen enjoyed another good spell, they made the most of it. Brad McKay opened the scoring shortly before the hour mark, when he powered a header past Oluyemi from a right wing cross. Just four minutes later, newly introduced Grady McGrath doubled the lead, firing into the bottom corner of the net from 10 yards.
The game could have got away from Locos at that point but their reaction was good and they began to enjoy some possession in the final third. Brechin weren’t giving up much in the way of clear chances but Locos were keeping themselves in the game. With a little under a quarter of an hour remaining, a second strike from two-time Highland League top scorer McGrath extinguished any hope Locos had of getting back into the game.
Again, Dean Donaldson’s side didn’t let their heads drop and their effort was rewarded with an excellent Souter goal. Jack McKenzie’s ball from the left was perfect for the skipper to head home at the far post. The hosts had the final word just a minute later though, when Mitchell Findlay added a fourth.
The score line is perhaps a little harsh on Locos, who could easily have gone in a goal up at half time. Brechin took advantage of a couple momentary lapses though, and a team with the sort quality they have was always going pounce if given the opportunity. Locos were well aware that to get anything from this game would be a tough ask, but it was important that they put in a good performance after Wednesday’s disappointing display, the first half of which Donaldson felt was the worst in his time at the club.
The games are coming thick and fast, with Fraserburgh the visitors to Harlaw Park on Wednesday evening, but Locos will take the positives from this performance into that game.
