Match Report

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After the international break Annan Athletic were back in action at Galabank as they welcomed Brechin City in the second round of the William Hill Scottish Cup. Its the fourth time the two clubs have met in the Scottish Cup, with the previous three meetings all requiring a replay to settle the tie.

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Annan manager Peter Murphy made changes to the team that last played in the league win at Hampden, with new loan keeper Kelby Mason making his debut, Lewis McLear and Broque Watson got the nod ahead of Jordan Holt and Christian Nade.
The opening stages of the game were pretty even with both teams having efforts on goal. Kyle Bradley’s volleyed shot sailed over the bar in the 7th minute and the midfielder found himself in an advanced position again 12 minutes later but the shot was well held by McMinn in the City goal.
At the other end Ross Crawford saw his effort go wide of the post and Annan were fortunate when loan keeper Mason failed to hold Olly Hamilton’s shot, Kieran Inglis presented with a great opportunity managed to miss the target to the relief of the Annan defence.
It was the missed chance that came back to bite the visitors, in the 28th minute Annan opened the scoring. Kyle Wilkie’s cross found Tommy Muir who made no mistake powering a header into the back of the net.
Brechin tried to hit back with a couple of efforts from Ross Crawford, the first being saved by Mason and a minute later the header from a free kick crept wide of the post.
Again Annan made their opponents pay for missed chances in the 39th minute, a brilliant turn in the box by McLear was enough to draw a foul and the ref had no hesitation awarding the penalty. Tommy Muir fired home from the spot for his second of the game.
Brechin made a change at half time with Knox replacing McCord and it was the away side that started the brighter in the second half. There was a stroke of bad fortune in the 54th minute when Paul McManus headed shot was saved by Mason, the ball bounced back off Darren Barr and into the net for an own goal.
Peter Murphy introduced new signing Nathan Flanagan in the 60th minute to try and add the extra spark in attack. Tommy Muir went close from a corner on 69 mins but the bullet header went over the bar. Jamie Ballantyne shot high and wide after good play by Watson.
Matthew Knox went close for Brechin before Flanagan saw his solo effort go wide of the post. Annan brought on Christian Nade but just minutes later came a massive blow as the visitors got their deserved equaliser with a fine finish from Paul McManus.
Annan had one last chance with a Matty Douglas header but the Brechin defence blocked and for the fourth consecutive time a Scottish Cup tie between these two team is needing a replay to settle the tie.

ANNAN ATHLETIC- Kelby Mason, Matthew Douglas, Darren Barr, Ayrton Sonkur, Jamie Ballantyne, Scott McLean, Kyle Bradley, Kyle Wilkie, Broque Watson (Christian Nade 82mins), Tommy Muir, Lewis McLear (Nathan Flanagan 60mins), SUBS NOT USED- Chris Smith, Jamie Walker, Steven Swinglehurst, Jordan Wooding-Holt, Niyah Joseph.

BRECHIN CITY- Lewis McMinn, Sean McIntosh, Jonathon Page, Scott Reekie, Chris McLaughlin, Olly Hamilton, Ryan McCord (Matthew Knox 45), Paul Allan, Kieran Inglis, Ross Crawford (Emile Ngoy 73), Paul McManus, SUBS NOT USED- Lee Duncanson, Jamie Reid, Ross Sinclair, Luke Watt.

REFEREE- Colin Steven

ATTENDANCE- 274