Brechin City vs Arbroath preview - Brechin aim to reverse slump

Posted Saturday, April 13, 2013 by PA

Out-of-sorts Brechin will be without the goal threat of suspended midfielder Alan Trouten when Arbroath visit Glebe Park.

Manager Ray McKinnon is running low on bodies as ankle injuries rule out Ewan Moyes and Jonathan Brown, a knee problem keeps Craig Molly on the sidelines while Gareth Rodger and Derek Carcary are ruled out with hamstring strains.

Third-placed Brechin have lost four of their last five games as they prepare to host an Arbroath side just outside the play-off picture.

McKinnon said: "I am not going to over-analyse our defeats as we have played well but luck has deserted us. We have had to take a couple of things on the chin as in a couple of games we have lost to wondergoals.

"There is no need to panic as there is more pressure on Arbroath to win this game than us."

Arbroath will be without Brian Kerr as they look to take advantage of any slip-up by fourth-placed Forfar in the play-off chase.

The former Scotland midfielder is the only absentee with a knee injury as fifth-placed Arbroath strive to close the two-point gap to the top four.

Player/manager Paul Sheerin said: "We are at the stage of the season where the first thing you do when you come off is ask someone else's score and hope to hear that you have done better than them.

"I watched Brechin in midweek when they lost 4-3 to Forfar. They have a strong spirit in their team as they never gave up despite going three goals behind twice. They are a very good team going forward so we have to nullify that threat and their spirit to win the game."