Montrose 2 v 2 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 303

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Chisholm (2), Donachy (4). Montrose : McLeod (38), Davidson (85).

Any travelling Albion Rovers who arrived a few minutes late were left cursing their luck as their side stormed to a 2 goal lead in the first 4 minutes, in another game of 2 halves. 

George Wallace joined the list of injured Rovers players while fans' favourite Andy Sim made a welcome return, starting on the bench.

Goal number one came in 2 minutes when Jamie Doyle took a free-kick which Iain Chisholm headed into the net. A couple of minutes later Stephen Donachy took the ball 20 yards before unleashing a shot diagonally across the goal into the net at the far post.

Not content with 2 Rovers kept pressing forward, Gordon Lennon making a foray upfield where he had a scissor-kick from outside the Montrose box which was a tad too high. Jamie Doyle was in the thick of it in 22 minutes when he chipped the ball over the Gable Endies defence to Chisholm close to the penalty spot, regrettably Chisholm couldn't quite connect with the ball.

Still on the attack Scott Chaplain picked out Chisholm with a pass resulting in 'keeper Wood dropping the ball and not being in a hurry to get off the Rovers man challenging him when they fell to the ground.

In 29 minutes referee McDonald showed a apparent lack of consistency when he booked Martin Bonnar of Rovers after a minor stramash but failed to punish the Montrose man involved.

Stephen Fraser decided to try to pull one back for Montrose but his efforts were spoiled by a defender initially and ultimately by 'keeper McGlynn. A few more ineffectual Montrose efforts were to follow then Rovers had one of their own.

In 38 minutes Montrose pulled one back when Ian McLeod latched onto a Fotheringham pass and shot low into the bottom corner. Chisholm tried to redress the balance soon after but his ball was palmed onto the bar by Wood.

A high Montrose shot from a tight angle had McGlynn back-pedalling but it landed on top of the net. Scott Chaplain finished the half putting the ball over the home bar.

Half-Time

Chisholm was again in the midst of things in 49 minutes when the ball was supplied to him on the nearside of the goal, there were no markers to hinder him but the resulting shot missed the target when it seemed easier to score.

Donachy was being creative when he made space then supplied the ball to Chaplain whose shot along the ground didn't trouble Wood. Lax play led to Gordon Lennon forcing his own 'keeper to save a few minutes later.

Fans were heartened when Andy Sim came off the bench in 66 minutes and the diminutive winger showed no sign of injury as he raced around the pitch. A weak Doyle free-kick found its way into Woods hands shortly followed by his corner being the subject of a glancing header wide of the Montrose goal.

A crossed ball into Rovers box saw Russell leaning back as she shot predictably high. Scott Chaplains header came close before Russell missed by a yard. That perennial thorn in Rovers side substitute Stevie Kerrigan had a shot blocked and the follow-up attempt by Henslee was stopped by Gary McGlynn.

McLeod had a speculative shot from 25 yards which forced McGlynn top backtrack and hold. With 5 minutes remaining Montrose were level when Davidson fired a low ball into Rovers net after a well judged Watson pass. Then a Brash pass to Reid which was immediately laid off to Henslee resulted in the ball whizzing over Rovers bar.

On the 90 minute mark another odd decision by Mr. McDonald angered visiting fans when he booked Lennon for taking the ball a couple of yards away from a free-kick place and immediately kick it back, odd as Davidson of the home side had committed a seemingly large number of fouls during the game without retribution.

In injury time a few hearts missed beats when McGlynn was challenged dropping the ball into the net, luckily the foul was awarded and Watson booked for it.

Summary

An excellent performance in the first half especially by Albion Rovers which could easily have resulted in a much needed win had they had a bit more spark in front of goal.

Montrose : Wood, Hall, Fraser, Hay, Kelly (Kerrigan 72), Davidson, Russell, Henslee, Reid (Brash 46), Fotheringham (Watson 66),  McLeod. Subs Not Used : McManus, Hankinson.

Albion Rovers : McGlynn, Friel,  McGhee, Lennon, Donnelly, Doyle, Chisholm (Sim 66), Chaplain, Selkirk (Noble 87), Bonnar, Donachy. Subs Not Used : Reid, Lennox, Quinn. 

Referee : Scott McDonald

Man of the Match - Scott Chaplain

Fixtures/Results/Reports/Pics

Home  Latest  League Table