(27/08/2022 – BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE, GLEBE PARK, BRECHIN)
This weekend, Lossiemouth head for the deep south and into Angus for the final league game of the month, away to Brechin City.
LEAGUE FORM (MOST RECENT RESULT FIRST)…
LOSSIEMOUTH – WWLLL, GF 7, GA 14; LEAGUE POSITION – 11th
Having endured a tough opening run of games, including losses to likely title contenders Formartine United and reigning champions Fraserburgh, Lossie head into farming country on the back of three consecutive wins across all competitions, first demolishing Forres Mechanics in the North of Scotland Cup before landing all six points from league ties with Wick Academy and Strathspey Thistle, leaving the Coasters packing for the journey south in good humour.
BRECHIN CITY – WWWWW, GF 9, GA 2; LEAGUE POSITION – 2nd
The Chinners are unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, having won all five league games for the loss of only two goals, while in the SPFL Trust Trophy the Angus outfit are through to the third round after two wins on penalties, the most recent coming on Wednesday night against SPFL League Two outfit Stirling Albion at Glebe Park. At home in the league Brechin have bested Buckie Thistle (1-0), Formartine United (3-1), and Rothes (1-0).
LAST SEASON…
20/11/2021 – Brechin City 5-0 Lossiemouth
The two met for the first time on league duty at Glebe Park in November of last season, and Brechin eventually ran out comprehensive winners after a late collapse from Lossie. Michael Paton scored the only goal of the first half, ahead of a second from Garry Wood, a late double from David Cox and a single from Max Kucheriavyi. All four players have since departed Hedge Town, with Wood staying in the Highland League at Inverurie Loco Works.
PREVIOUSLY AT GRANT PARK…
16/04/2022 – Lossiemouth 0-3 Brechin City – Match photos
The curtain came down on the season with the visit of Brechin to Grant Park, and the sides played out an entertaining affair in front a crowd of sunburnt punters. Marc Scott and Cameron Ross scored in the first half and Brechin brought their season to an end with a goal from Michael Cruickshank.
SQUAD NOTES…
Unlike the players to have departed since the last meeting at Glebe Park, the three scorers from the last game of last season remain at Brechin, with Scott an ever-present this season, along with Jamie Bain, Kevin McHattie, Seth Patrick and goalkeeper Lenny Wilson. Having taken their time to settle into the Highland League, Brechin are running a tighter ship and have used a lean seventeen players so far this season, having gone through thirty-six last season. Brechin like to do their business before breakfast, having scored six of their nine league goals in the first half, while five of Lossie’s nine have come the other side of a half time sharpener. Like Lossie, Brechin have not scored from the penalty spot in normal time this season, but have held their nerve to win two penalty shoot-outs.
TOP SCORERS…
Club captain Liam Archibald and newly-revived Ross Archibald lead the way for Lossie with a pair of goals apiece, with both scoring on Wednesday. Marc Scott tops the scorers charts for Brechin with three goals. Lossie have seven players with at least a goal to their name so far this season, while Brechin have six. Despite having won five from seven games, Brechin have scored just once in five of those games and the Glebe Park side have come in for some criticism – from both internal and external sources – for failing to make the most of their chances and here’s hoping they come in for similar notices on Saturday evening.
ON THE DAY…
Door tax is £10, or £7 concession. The City Club in the stand at Glebe Park opens at 1345hrs and welcomes away fans. Updates will be rolling on Twitter from early in day and throughout the game until evening time.
SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM PREDICTION…
Feeling fruity and going for a draw.