Match Report

MATCH REPORT
Montrose v Stenhousemuir at Links Park, Montrose on 22.12.18
SPFL Ladbrokes League One Att 511
Montrose 3 [Antoniazzi 10, Henderson 28, Watson 67] Stenhousemuir 1 [McGuigan 81]

Montrose – Fleming, Masson [b65], Steeves, I.Campbell, Dillon, Harrington, Cregg[b63] [Webster 68], Watson, Antoniazzi [Callaghan 74], Johnston and Henderson [Cavanagh 78]. Subs not used – R.Campbell, Redman, Bolochoweckyj and Millar

Stenhousemuir – Smith [b66], Reid, Donaldson, Neill [b65], Ferry, McGuigan, Duthie [b49] [Ross 63], Cook[b72], Vaughan [O’Hara 72] McBrearty [b80] [McMenamin 86] and Paton. Subs not used – McMinn, Tena, and Halleran.

Referee – Barry Cook Assistants – John McCrossan and Craig Wilson

This was a disappointing performance at Links Park with Montrose taking the initiative from the start of the game. Though most of their early efforts brought about simple saves from Graeme Smith. The pressure told however and the home side were gifted a goal in the 10th minute when Connor McBrearty’s crossfield pass went straight to Chris Antoniazzi and he took full advantage to tuck the ball home. This was only his second senior goal with the previous one being at Ochilview earlier in the season.

Alan Cook who was Stenhousemuir’s main threat in the early stages tested Allan Fleming with a powerful drive after eluding his marker in the 13th minute. Most of the play was at the other end though and they eventually extended their lead in the 28th minute. Both Antoniazzi and Craig Johnston had efforts blocked before the ball fell kindly into the path of Euan Henderson who stroked the ball into the net.

With three minutes of the half to go Mark McGuigan tested Fleming with a powerful drive but the keeper proved up to the task and kept the ball out.

A two goal lead at half time for Montrose was no less than they deserved as they had set the tempo from the start against a flat Stenhousemuir side.

The second half saw Cook just fail to get on the end of an Alan Reid cross and then hit a powerful drive just wide as the visitors looked to get back into the game. It became more difficult though when the Gable Endies extended their lead in the 67th minute when their captain Paul Watson out-jumped Harry Paton to head home.

Three minutes later Paton looked as if get a consolation in the 70th minute when he beat his marker and when Fleming blocked his effort it rebounded off the Warrior and went goal-wards but was brilliantly cleared off the line by Graham Webster. McGuigan then headed over as Stenhousemuir began to show glimpses of their capability.

Eventually they were rewarded for their efforts following a patient build up that ended with McGuigan sliding a Paton cross into the net with nine minutes of the game to go. In the 90th minute they looked as if they had reduced the margin to one when Moryn Neill headed home a Ruaridh Donaldson free-kick but any celebrations were cut short by the sign of the assistant referee flagging for offside.

In stoppage time they had another rasping drive by Cook and Fleming had to show strong wrists to keep the ball out.

There was to be no further scoring and although Montrose on the day were worthy winners they seemed to run out of gas in the latter stages and it was not inconceivable that the Warriors may have picked up something in the end.