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Locos fell short despite an encouraging performance against Brechin City at Harlaw Park. After falling behind to Ben Armour’s close range header, The Railwaymen hit back through Ethan Cairns first goal for the club, before creating a host of chances before the break. However, after Mitchell Findlay restored the visitors’ lead, chances at both ends dried up and the Hedgemen saw the game out.
With Paul Coutts suspended, Dean Donaldson named a youthful side with Reuben Skea, Blair Smith and Callum Duncan coming into the starting line-up, while young Liam Harper was handed a place on the bench for the first time. After an uneventful opening 10 minutes, Brechin took the lead when Findlay’s corner from the left was headed back across goal by Kieran Sweeney and nodded home by Armour. It was a blow to Locos but they got back on level terms five minutes later. Milosz Ochmanski found Reeuben Skea who did well down the left before picking out Duncan who squared the ball. Smith and Cairns nearly got in each other’s way but the latter swivelled and fired home from 10 yards.
Locos had their tails up and the front line of Cairns, Skea and Smith were causing the visiting defence all sorts of problems. Visiting keeper Craig Hepburn did well to turn Skea’s effort over the bar and Cairns put a header off target shortly afterwards. Cairns then fired just wide from a free kick as Locos looked to get themselves in front. At the other end, Mitchell Taylor’s free kick also drifted just wide.
Most Locos supporters would have been pleased with what they saw in the first half, and may well have felt their team could have held an advantage at the break. Five minutes into the second period, City got themselves back in front. Paul Watson’s free kick cannoned off the wall to Taylor and his whipped cross was turned home by Findlay with the faintest of touches.
In truth, that was the last real threat on goal from either team as, despite getting into some promising positions, neither could create much in the way clear chances. The Railwaymen just ran out of steam a little in the second half and although a raft of substitutions freshened things up a little, they couldn’t recapture the rhythm of the early stages.
The final whistle was met with disappointment at the result but also recognition of a very encouraging performance against a team that are expected to challenge for the Highland League title. Donaldson was certainly happy with his team’s display. “I think the first half was as encouraging as we’ve seen all season. There was a lot of energy with the change of shape.” the manager said. “In the second half I don’t think we got going and we ran out legs. They’re a good side, with a lot of experience, so it was really pleasing for some of the young boys to play like that against them.”
Locos face another tough test next week with the short trip to Aberdeen to face Banks o’Dee.
