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Brechin's late strike stings the Wasps
THE Glebe Park press box suffered an infestation of Wasps on Saturday, both on and off the park.
These orange-tinged creatures proved a nuisance most of the afternoon, until notebooks, normally utilised for recording goals, served another purpose, as this season's swarm was gradually and slowly killed off by the "gentlemen" of the press.
On the field of play, City gradually got the better of the Wasps, clinching victory with a last-minute goal.
In the first 45 minutes, Brechin City had the lion's share of possession, had two one-on-ones with Alloa goalkeeper, David Crawford and there was a slight feeling of injustice to come off at half-time only on level terms, after their one defensive lapse let the hard-working visitors in front.
After a day of near things for Rory McAllister, it was fitting that his "much" older strike partner, Charlie King, set him up for a glorious winner that really had the men from the "Wee County" reaching for the TCP.
King's performance throughout was industrious, hard working and belied him nearing the veteran category.
Allan Maitland, one of the game's most likable managers and a great reader of matters at this level may have felt hard done by afterwards.
However, there is little doubt that his side will be one of those challenging at the top end of the second division come the end of the season.
Maitland revealed before the game that he has six players to come back into this side, including former red Iain Russell.
That, in itself, is a fair warning to the rest of the second division, because, for my money, Alloa picked up a tag previously held by Dumbarton as the best side that had visited Glebe Park this season.
City started the game well and forced an early corner. Wasps goalkeeper Crawford was stung into action but held King's cross under the crossbar.
Somewhat against the early run of play it was Brechin's turn to be reaching for the anti-insect ointment after the impressive John Grant rose at the far post to get on the end of well delivered free-kick.
Brechin, in the interim, continued to probe patiently.
A feature of the first half performance was the way the ball was passed and, at times, retained by both sides.
Such a measured build up gave McAllister an opening 20 yards out after 17 minutes. The big striker made space for himself and opened up before firing in a low drive, as Crawford thought "crumbs", and pushed the net bound shot for a corner.
Next to threaten for City from distance was the deaf Gary Fusco. Deaf because the stick this guy has to take on a Saturday whilst usually knocking his pan in would be enough to have most reaching for the wasp-spray to kill off the pests that lurk on the periphery of the Glebe Park pitch.
Fusco, too, showed imagination to create room on the edge of the penalty area, before firing in a decent effort, which bounced past the post.
Mark Gilhaney is undoubtedly a player of considerable ability. However, on Saturday this particular Wasp spent more time on the grass than Pete Docherty.
Usually in an effort to win a free-kick, one of which he did win, found its way again to the far post, before it was deflected over for an Alloa corner.
Another Docherty, Mark this time, went close at the other end after good link-up play on the edge of the box, his effort also deflected past for a corner.
However, Docherty, whose early life was spent swatting opponents in the boxing ring, as he rose to the Scottish Youth title, wasn't to be denied.
He had impressed with his range of passing once again and, in the 33rd minute, he burst past Agnew, who more or less invited the Brechin man to go down on the end of a Cassius Clay thunderbolt. Referee Somers pointed directly to the spot and the "auld heed" King provided to be calmness personified in making an expert job of the spot kick.
Just two minutes later Alloa could have been left reaching for the Radion after Docherty again burst into the box only to be denied by a tremendous tackle from Mark Brown.
There was more agony for the City faithful after McAllister's determination took him past Townsley and into the box. The Alloa defender pulled him back and Mr Somers was about to award penalty number two, but looked as if he had played a great advantage.
McAllister rolled the ball past the goalkeeper, but just the wrong side of the post. City should have led three-one at this stage.
On half-time, City skipper, Neil Janczyk, had his name taken harshly for a decent tackle that had Andy Scott rolling around the turf in agony.
Brechin never reached the same heights in the second half as they had in the first.
Whether it was a determination to finally kill off these pesky Wasps, the boss urged patience and his team to get the ball grounded once again.
Big McAllister was denied when, following good play from former Wasp Walker on the right, his attempted placed effort was fortunately saved by the visitors' goalkeeper with his damned insect feet.
City's deadly quiet assassin Walker was next in the ref's notebook for a challenge on Agnew in the 69th minute.
City's King bee, then headed wide from a measured Neil Janczyk cross into the area.
Brechin almost score a wonder goal through Walker's attempts to get forward. The former Alloa player almost caught Crawford out when he hit a screamer from a very unlikely angle on the touchline and the visitors' goalkeeper scrambled to push it over the bar.
Substitutions from the visiting side saw them try to take the initiative back.
However, Brechin always looked equally likely on the counter. If you are going to finally flatten the nuisance of a pest, then arguably the best time to do it is in the 90th minute.
King's patience and composure was a key factor. His pass found McAllister on the right side of the penalty area and the former ICT and Scotland Under-21 man produced one of those "Roy of the Rovers" moments as this edition was used to finally kill off the opposition in style as he hammered the ball past the helpless Crawford.
October often sees the end of the Wasps until the balmy days of spring.
Maitland's breed will undoubtedly recover to sting numerous second division opponents throughout the rest of this season. Jim Duffy is just hopeful his side's home form continues to spread fear into every other pest in the division.
Best for City were Nelson, King and Docherty. Prior to McAllister turning into a killer bee.
Brechin City - Nelson, Walker, Seeley, McLean, Dyer, Fusco, Smith, Janczyk, Docherty, King and McAllister.
Alloa Athletic - Crawford, Brown Ferguson, Walker, Townsley, McCafferty, Gilhaney, Grant, Brown, Scott (Noble), Carrigan (Kerr) and Agnew.
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Weather for Brechin
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
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