Child's Play For Bairns

By Gary McKenzie
August 13 2002

Tuesday 13 August 2002 - Links Park, Montrose Bell's Challenge Cup Round 2 Montrose 0 Falkirk 2 Scorers: Miller 15 James 45 McGlynn saves penalty

CHILD'S PLAY FOR BAIRNS

Both sides settled quickly into a good old-fashioned cuptie. The Links Park turnstiles were busy as Falkirk had brought a good travelling support. Falkirk opened the scoring on 15 minutes as Miller managed to poke the ball through a crowded Montrose defence after a corner. Montrose were trying to play football and Sheran had them lined up in a liquid 3-5-2 with Ferguson replacing McDonald and McCheyne playing in midfield. Montrose were giving as good as they got against the First Division side, and it was a cruel blow when giant defender Kevin James scored what must be one of his few non-headed goals with a tap in from inches away after another corner. The half-time whistle sounded seconds later.

Right at the start of the second half, Chris Webster, who had been playing well, was replaced by Moray Leask up front. Montrose pushed up but found it tough against a strong Falkirk defence. Graham Sharp replaced Kevin Webster who had been drilling up the right wing, and Webster received a warm round of applause from the home support. Falkirk had the ball in the net again but it was chalked off for offside. It seemed like the Bairns were about to repeat their friendly victory score of last July when they were awarded a very soft penalty with minutes remaining. Gary McGlynn guessed correctly and pulled off a magnificent diving save to his right hand post.

While it is disappointing that we are out of the Challenge Cup, Montrose can take credit for their battling and some lovely spells of passing football throughout the game. The team can be proud of their performance against a team who must be in with a shout of winning the First Division. The home support showed their appreciation of the efforts of the team, if not the final score.

Team

McGlynn
McCheyne
Robertson
Gibson
Conway
McQuillan
Kevin Webster (s. G Sharp)
Johnston
Chris Webster (s. Leask)
McKinnon
Ferguson