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Locos were beaten by reigning Highland League champions Brechin City at a damp Harlaw Park. The Railwaymen responded well to conceding early to a Daniel Handling header but a break away goal by Marc Scott midway through the second half secured the victory for the Hedgemen.
Locos went into the game full of confidence off the back of two good wins but knew they were in for a tough test against a side who are targeting a return league football. The challenge got tougher in the third minute when Scott’s cross from the right was nodded home by Handling.
Locos soon settled and took the game to the visitors. A Tam Reid shot from the edge of the box was routine for Jamie McCabe to deal with but the City keeper was at full stretch to deny Jay Halliday five minutes later. At the other end, Zack Ellis had found himself with little to do after the early goal but reacted superbly to save a flying Ewan Loudon header with 23 minutes on the clock.
After the break, Brechin again started positively but once more Locos soon began to dominate the ball. The next goal was always going to be crucial and for all the good approach play from the men in fire and coal, it was the visiting team who showed the clinical edge. Lewis Martin’s ball down the right found Scott who cut into the penalty area before poking past Ellis.
Locos weren’t downhearted and, with 25 minutes remaining, continued to seek a way back into the game. Several dangerous balls went into the City box but nobody could get a decisive touch. In the dying moments Ellis again had to be alert to keep out a Sean Hastie effort on the break as the visitors saw out the game.
This was an absorbing contest and it’s testament to their improvement in recent weeks that Locos were never out of it against the league leaders and were arguably the better side for much of the game. However, it is also true to say that for all the good attacking positions Locos found themselves in, they weren’t able to test McCabe as much as they would have liked.
Locos are once again in midweek action with a trip to Lossiemouth on Wednesday followed by a visit to Strathspey Thistle next Saturday.
