Montrose 1 v 1 Albion Rovers

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Attendance : 367

Scorers ~ Montrose : Wood (50). Albion Rovers : Mercer (25).

With manager Peter Hetherston back in the dugout for the first time in eight matches maybe it was best that all of the match officials were male. His comments of a couple of weeks ago at the same venue about a female assistant referee have filled as many column inches in the national press as would Rovers beating one of the old firm.

Rovers welcomed back striker Mark Yardley from injury for the match in which defeat could have meant the end of Rovers competitive season, being so far off the pace in the league already a cup run may be all the fans have to look forward to. Montrose fielded an identical starting eleven to the one that beat Rovers 1-0 exactly a fortnight before in the league, a result which helped caretaker boss Henry Hall become their newly appointed manager.

It took just 3 minutes for Steve Kerrigan, scorer of the only goal a fortnight ago to show his stuff, his shot not missing the target by much. A few minutes later Jered Stirling got Rovers first real chance but his low shot was easily picked up by veteran keeper Butter. Next to have a go was Kevin McAllister whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide of goal.

In 10 minutes it was Paul McManus who squandered a chance to open the scoring when a Yardley cross found him in a good position just inside the box but his shot went over the bar. Almost immediately it was the Gable Endies who saw a shot from their on-loan Aberdeen striker Scott Michie go over the bar from close in.

In 13 minutes Andy Paterson managed somehow to lose the ball to just outside his own box, luckily the resulting shot from Roddy Black was wide of the goal. Five minutes later a Kevin McAllister shot from the edge of the box didn't trouble Butter too much.

Goal

In 25 minutes a Kevin McAllister cross from the right was knocked down by Paul McManus for club captain Jim Mercer to score from close range. A couple of minutes later Montrose midfielder Keith Gibson forced Neil Bennett to pull off a good save with his free-kick from 30 yards.

In 28 minutes Rovers had a decent penalty claim turned down by referee Boyle when Paul McManus went down in the box. In the run-in to half-time Neil Bennett saved from a spectacular Michie shot from 30 yards. He then plucked the ball from the feet of the onrushing Black and also saved a long-range Gibson shot to preserve Rovers lead.

Second-Half

Just 30 seconds into the second period Neil Bennett had to use his legs to stop a Montrose shot. In 50 minutes Montrose drew level when Martin Wood who looked suspiciously offside when he gathered the ball from a Gibson pass had his curling shot go in off the post.

The equaliser certainly seemed to spur on the home side. Next for Montrose to have a go at goal was Gibson who had his 30 yard shot saved by Bennett. Keith Gibson should have scored when a Michie cross found him near the goal but his effort went past the post. Montrose were well in control by now although Rovers did manage one reasonable shot that Butter caught.

In 70 minutes a Wood cross from the edge of Rovers 6 yard box crossed the goalmouth with nobody seemingly wanting to interfere with its progress. Just after this Jim Mercer was booked for kicking the ball away prior to a Montrose free-kick.

In 73 minutes Rovers luck held when a Donachie shot came off the inside of their post. Then a rare Rovers move involving some one-two's between McAllister and Yardley proved unproductive as McAllister's shot went past the Montrose post.

Mark Yardley was booked in 80 minutes, apparently for encroaching on keeper Butter who was trying to thump the ball upfield. Seconds later at the other end of the pitch Montrose had a strong claim for a penalty turned down. A few minutes later Neil Bennett was forced to clear the ball 30 yards from his goal-line after a defensive lapse. Seconds later a low shot following a long run from substitute Sharp was well saved by Bennett.

In 85 minutes a Yardley pass within the Montrose box to Paul McManus rather disappointingly caused the homesters no problem whatsoever. With 3 minutes left a McAllister cross was punched clear by Butter, thumping a defender into the bargain.

The last throw of the dice for Rovers saw Mark Yardley apparently impeded a yard from the Montrose box but no free-kick was given.

Summary

Rovers had a poor second half and had Bennett and a modicum of luck to thank for still being in the cup. The teams will do it all again at Cliftonhill next Saturday for the right to play host to Threave Rovers in the 2nd round. Rovers have never beaten the Angus side in a Scottish cup tie despite having now played them six times in the competition, therefore a home win (possibly even involving extra-time or penalties) would be a first. 

Montrose : Butter, Donachie, Ferguson, Smith, McQuillan, Kerrigan, Webster, Gibson (Smart 80), Michie, Wood (Farnan 90), Black (Sharp 54). Unused Subs : Simpson, Hankinson.

Albion Rovers : Bennett, Paterson, Stirling (Valentine 59), Smith, McCaig, McBride, McAllister, McCaul, Yardley, McManus, Mercer. Unused Subs : Fahey, Cormack, Molloy, McKenzie.

Referee : Chris Boyle

Man of the Match - Neil Bennett

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