Brechin City’s bid for a return to the SPFL, after two
seasons in the Highland League, is over after losing a dramatic play-off
against Edinburgh-based Spartans FC, champions of the Lowland League.
Trailing by a single goal from the first-leg, Brechin fell
further behind at Glebe Park on Saturday but managed to take the game to
penalties where Spartans progressed 4-3.
They will now meet Albion Rovers, who finished bottom of
SPFL League Two, again over two legs (tickets £10 adults, £7 concessions and free for under 16's).
The battle for the Highland League trophy itself matched
anything else seen in British football this season as Brechin travelled to
Buckie Thistle on the final day of the campaign needing a win to leapfrog their
hosts at the top of the table.
A final day showdown had long been circled in diaries as a
title decider and both sides kept their nerve in the weeks leading up to the
game with some crucial victories.
And the drama went into the final five minutes at Victoria
Park when Brechin broke the deadlock before adding another late goal to spark
wild celebrations among their supporters.
Brora Rangers finished in third with reigning champions
Fraserburgh in fifth while league newcomers Banks o ’Dee managed to finish in mid-table
despite being hit with a 24 point deduction and also triumphed in the League
Cup, defeating Inverurie Loco Works by a single goal.
Heading into the summer there is speculation that an
extra-tier will be introduced to the Scottish pyramid from 2024, with a
‘Conference League’ of 10 clubs, potentially including four Premiership ‘B’
sides who would not be able to gain promotion to the higher level.
Although the Highland League would have some representation
in the proposed league, it would fit between SPFL League Two and the current
Step Five leagues and effectively relegate the majority of current clubs to a
lower level.