Montrose 1 v 1 Albion Rovers

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Attendance : 353

Scorers ~  : Montrose : Stirling (o.g. 52). Albion Rovers : Connolly (28).

Rovers travelled north with their squad depleted by injuries to Jamie McGowan, Jim Mercer, Jordan Smith, Andy Paterson and Scott Crabbe. Paul McManus returning was however a major fillip, youngsters Connolly, Selkirk, Richardson and Wallace were all drafted in to the squad.

One topic of discussion amongst visiting fans was the far-side assistant referee. It was none other than Morag Pirie, the official who former manager Peter Hetherston suggested should have stayed at home to make her husbands dinner when Rovers played at the same venue last season.

Montrose started brightly with Martin Wood forcing Chris Fahey to save his shot although there was a distinct suspicion of arm-ball by the 22 year-old striker in the lead up. A reasonable move by McCaul and McManus broke down before a Jered Stirling free-kick from 25 yards was too high.

Craig Smart laid off the ball to Wood whose shot was too high. Montrose could have taken the lead in 21 minutes when Craig O'Reilly had a shot well saved by Fahey but Craig Smart hit the rebound wide. The home fans were on their feet celebrating before they realised it had gone past the post.

A period of good football from Rovers in which Mark Yardley headed past the post resulted in a goal. In 28 minutes Chic Connolly fired a low shot into the corner of the net. This was after Mark Yardley had fallen over Neil Stephen in the box prompting claims for a penalty and perhaps distracting the defence into the bargain.

Paul Doyle received a booking in 31 minutes for a foul on Silvestro, up stepped the midfield maestro himself to take the kick but it didn't trouble 'keeper Hankinson.

Silvestro was in the thick of it once more when his well judged tackle of Wood on the penalty spot denied the Gable Endies a further opportunity to equalise. Play switched to the other end of the field when a well judged Yardley through ball to Paul McManus resulted in a volley which was only marginally too high.

With 2 minutes of the first half remaining a Craig O'Reilly header from a Euan Hall cross didn't miss by much and in injury time a Graeme Sharp attempt was blocked by Danny Black.

Second Half

Manager Henry Hall must have inspired Montrose in his half-time talk as his team dominated the opening salvos of the second period. In 51 minutes Montrose drew level when manager's son Euan Hall swung a low but very fast cross into Rovers penalty area which connected with the foot of the unfortunate Jered Stirling before going into the net.

Montrose were still keen on scoring when Craig O'Reilly turned quickly to have a shot which seemed a goal until it hit the wall behind the Rovers goal. Rovers hit back when Graeme McLaren got his head to a Stirling corner but once more it was over the bar.

Kevin McAllister tried to freshen things up by bringing on striker John Bradford for Graeme McCaul. David Greenhill had a speculative shot from 25 yards which he lifted too much to trouble Fahey.

Rovers had an excellent chance to regain the lead in 66 minutes when a long pass from Silvestro was played on by McManus to Yardley whose disappointing shot went over. Yardley once again failed to score a few minutes later, this time his header was palmed away by Hankinson after Stirling had supplied the ball.

Within 60 seconds it was Chris Fahey palming the ball away from goal when Smart headed goalward after a disputed free-kick which was taken quickly. Montrose had the ball in the net again from a Sharp kick but the referee had clearly blown for an infringement a second previously.

A low shot by Hall was parried by Fahey before Rovers would dominate the closing 5 minutes. McKenzie passed across goal to Yardley who in turn passed to Bradford whose low but weak shot was saved by the Montrose stopper.

Marc McKenzie was working hard taking the ball up the wing to the corner but his cross was intercepted by Hankinson. On the 90 minute mark a Stirling free-kick from 30 yards was easily held by Hankinson which was the final serious chance of the match.

Summary

Depleted by injury and with Paul McManus lacking just a little match sharpness Rovers were worthy of a draw. Although "credited" with the Montrose goal Jered Stirling was a contender for man of the match but was just pipped by Chris Silvestro. 

Montrose: Hankinson, Donachie, Doyle, Greenhill (Dodds 77), Stephen, Kerrigan, Sharp (Watson 88), Hall, Wood,  Smart, O'Reilly (Webster 64). Subs not used - Spink, Butter.

Albion Rovers: Fahey, Connolly, Stirling, Black, McLaren, Patrick, McKenzie, Silvestro, Yardley,  McManus, McCaul (Bradford 60). Subs not used - Selkirk, Richardson, Wallace, Peat.

Referee : William Collum

Man of the Match - Chris Silvestro

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