Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Stenhousemuir v Montrose at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 21.04.18

SPFL Ladbrokes League Two             Att 976

Stenhousemuir 0 Montrose 2 [Templeman 2, Milne 8]

Stenhousemuir – Smith, Meechan [Scott 59], M.Dunlop, R.Dunlop, Donaldson, Ferry, Murray [Ferns 86], Paton, McMenamin, Dallas [Longworth 75] and Cook [b35]. Subs not used – Marsh, Halleran and McMinn.

Montrose – Fleming, Ballantyne [b30], Steeves, Allan, Dillon, Bolochoweckyj, Milne [Watson 83], Masson, Callaghan [Fotheringham 75], Templeman [Rennie 65] and Redman. Subs not used – Miller, R.Campbell, Fraser and Johnston.

Referee – John McKendrick  Assistants – John McCrossan and Andy Taylor

The largest league crowd of the season at Ochilview were in expectant mood for this game as both sides had something to play for. Stenhousemuir went into this game knowing that a win would secure a play-off spot whilst Montrose depending on the Peterhead result at Elgin could have won the League.

In the end neither outcome was to take place but the Links Park showed exactly why they are top of the table with a comfortable win that means that they only need a point in their last game to guarantee the title.

The Warriors though know that they will have to perform better to have any chance after they lost the initiative from the start of the game a position from which they never recovered.

Montrose belied any signs of nerves in the opening stages as they put the result beyond doubt with a quick fire double within the first eight minutes of the game. They took the lead in the second minute when Andrew Steeves was given too much room and his cross from the left flank was picked out to Chris Templeman who had time to control the ball and showed a deft touch for a big man to lob Chris Smith who was not too far off his line.

That goal settled the visitors and they extended their lead in the eighth minute but once again they didn’t have to work too hard to make the breakthrough, A Ross Dunlop pass-back was short and intercepted by Lewis Milne and as he advanced on goal Chris Smith slipped and that gave the Montrose striker the vital time to pick his spot and fire home from close range.

That knocked the stuffing out of Stenhousemuir and they rarely created a chance for the rest of the half. Colin McMenamin did well to get a shot on goal whilst off balance but his effort was saved and anyway the flag went up for a marginal offside. The closest that the Warriors came was in the last minute when a powerfully strung free-kick by Alan Cook took the slightest of deflections to go just wide.

Montrose were quickly into their rhythm in the second half and almost got their third goal in the 48^th minute when a Liam Callaghan corner was met by Michael Bolochoweckyj and his header from close range was saved by a great save by Smith.

Once again though chances for the home side were few and far between as they failed to break down a well marshalled Montrose side with Sean Dillon once again outstanding. Most of the Warriors efforts were from long range with Andy Dallas and Colin McMenamin coming closest without troubling Allan Fleming in the Montrose goal.

Eventually though he was beaten by a well timed run and shot by McMenamin in the 81^st minute but cruelly for the Warrior it came off the base of the post thanks to a slight deflection and out for a fruitless corner.

All in all this was a game where Montrose showed their qualities to win without ever being in danger in a deserved win whilst the Warriors need to improve if they are going to get a play-off spot.