Montrose v Stenhousemuir FC

Match Report

MATCH REPORTS

Montrose v Stenhousemuir at Links Park, Montrose on 10.2.18

SPFL Ladbrokes League Two             Att 1,182

Montrose 1 [Redman 80] Stenhousemuir 0

Montrose – Fleming, Masson, Steeves, Allan, Dillon, Bolochoweckyj, Webster, Fotheringham [b57][Redman 57][B61], Johnston [Rennie 63], Templeman and Milne [Watson 83]. Subs not used – Fraser, Hay, McLaren and Millar

Stenhousemuir – Smith, Meechan [b17], M.Dunlop [b90], R.Dunlop, Donaldson, Marsh [b23][Scott 85], McGuigan, Ferry, Halleran [Ferns 56], Murray [McMenamin 56] and Cook [b74]. Subs not used Gilmour and McMinn

Referee – Mat Northcroft     Assistants – Gordon Crawford and Chris McTiernan

The biggest crowd between Stenhousemuir and Montrose for quite some time gave a classic lesson in showing why the Links Park men are justifying their position at the top of the league. Admission was free to children and their parents with tickets having been handed out throughout the community and they were rewarded for their efforts with a decent crowd and all three points.

Throughout the season the goals have been spread throughout the squad and in this case it was Jamie Redman who did the damage heading home a free kick with ten minutes left in the game. Montrose’s main strength though is the lack of goals conceded and Allan Fleming earned his wages to keep a clean sheet making important saves when the Warriors got the better of the defence led by Sean Dillon.

The game started with a flurry of activity with Fleming saving from Harry Paton in the first minute and Chris Templeman coming close a minute later. Stenhousemuir were playing well but lacked a cutting edge and it was the home side that came to opening the scoring when Templeman saw a shot tipped round the post by Chris Smith. A one-two between Paton and Jimmy Scott looked to have created an opening but Andrew Steeves with a block was to deny Paton. Mark McGuigan and Alan Cook came close with shots but it wasn’t until the 36^th minute before Fleming was needed to save from McGuigan. Three minutes later a Templeman header was turned onto the bar by Ross Dunlop with the home support claiming a hand was used.

Montrose had their best spell of the game so far in the run up to half time but Stenhousemur held firm until the whistle brought the half to an end.

There was a scare for the visitors when Chris Smith dropped a cross just after the resumption but luckily Montrose were unable to take full advantage. Paton and Cook then came close once again before the best chance so far fell to Scott in the 53^rd minute when his run behind the defence was picked out and although his touch took him past the keeper the ball almost run out of play and his shot from a tight angle struck the woodwork. Three minutes later he had another chance when he was picked out by Paton but with only the keeper to beat he was unable to make the most of it and Fleming brought off a top class save.

It wasn’t a one sided game though and Montrose became stronger in the last third of the game. Chris Smith made a one handed save from Steeves on the hour and shortly after this he was on hand to deny Dillon who came close with header at another set piece shortly afterwards.

The home side always looked a threat at set plays and it was no surprise when Redman scored the goal from a free-kick when his header across goal went into the net. The Warriors then came close with a Cook run and shot after picking up a loose pass but once again Fleming was to make a vital save.

The Warriors have played worse and picked up three points but on this occasion when they merited at least a share of the points it wasn’t to be.