Andy Kirk has backed Brechin City record-breaker Grady McGrath to keep scoring as they chase the Breedon Highland League title.
The Hedgemen face Brora Rangers at Glebe Park tonight and a victory would reduce Buckie Thistle’s lead at the top of the table to two points.
Striker McGrath has been a standout for Brechin since signing from Junior side East Craigie last summer.
His double against Turriff United on Saturday took him to 27 league goals, breaking Ronnie McIntosh’s City record from season 1959-60.
In all competitions, McGrath has scored 33 times, and manager Kirk – who last night extended his own contract with Brechin by two years to the summer of 2025 – said: “It’s been brilliant – it’s why we brought him here.
“We wanted a goalscorer and we’d watched Grady a few times last season.
“I was very confident when we brought him in that he would score goals for us, but to come and break a club record is fantastic for him and us.
🔥 𝙍 𝙀 𝘾 𝙊 𝙍 𝘿 ▪️ 𝘽 𝙍 𝙀 𝘼 𝙆 𝙀 𝙍
Congratulations to @mcgrath_grady who, after scoring a brace yesterday afternoon, moved onto 27 league goals for the season. This surpasses the club record of 26 which was held by Ronnie McIntosh in the 1959/60 season. 👏 pic.twitter.com/ix8oIiJcyB
— Brechin City FC (@BrechinCityFC) April 2, 2023
“Some of his finishes are fantastic, but that’s what we know he’s capable of.
“Hopefully he can add to that total before the end of the season and I’ve no doubt he will.
“The more players you have scoring goals the better chance it gives you of winning.
“While Grady is on the pitch and when we’re creating chances we know we’ve got a chance of winning games.
“We know his capabilities. He’s hungry to keep improving and that attitude is fantastic.”
Cattachs’ conundrum against other big-hitters
Brora player-manager Ally MacDonald still hopes to finish third this season, and a win this evening would narrow the gap on Formartine United to one point ahead of Saturday’s meeting with the Pitmedden side at Dudgeon Park.
However, the Cattachs boss is aware they need to perform better in clashes against the league’s other big-hitters.
In six games against sides in the top five, Brora have picked up only one point.
MacDonald added: “It’s pretty clear where we’ve let ourselves down this season. These sort of games have been very frustrating.
“Even if we’d taken half the points available against the top four or five, we’d be right in the title race.
“It’s something we’ve highlighted as well… For whatever reason, we’ve found it difficult to get points against these teams and we need to address it.
“In the games since I’ve been in charge, I’ve felt we’ve given away soft goals.
“I’m not sure if it’s a lack of concentration, a mental block or what it is, it’s difficult to pinpoint.
“The goals we’ve conceded in these games haven’t been good enough. We’re up against good teams, but we’ve given away goals quite cheaply, which is disappointing.”
Lilywhites tackle Broch
Elsewhere, Clachnacuddin welcome Fraserburgh to Grant Street Park.
The Lilywhites are unbeaten in four games, but manager Jordan MacDonald is keen for a better display after drawing with Strathspey Thistle at the weekend courtesy of a 97th-minute equaliser.
He said: “There is the question of which Clach team will turn up.
“We’ve got young players who are learning on the job – that’s not an excuse, but there will be ups and downs.
“I’m not saying that isn’t frustrating for us, and the players are frustrated as well, which is a good thing.
“If the Clach we all want to turn up turns up, then it’ll be a really good game.”
Fifth-placed Fraserburgh have four games left this season and assistant manager James Duthie would like to finish with maximum points.
He added: “We’ve spoke to the players about it that we don’t want them to be starting their holidays early. We want to finish the season as strongly as we can.
“It’s not in their nature, so I wouldn’t expect it.
“We’ve got good competition and we can freshen things up.
“We may also have a look at some of our youth players who have had a good season to see how ready they are to come into things.”
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