DOWN MO-MORY LANE...

By Gary McKenzie
September 20 2002

Preview: Montrose take on Greenock Morton in a re-run of a famous cup match in Montrose history. We look back fondly on an amazing 2 days in 1996 & check out interesting facts about the Ton.

Morton are the visitors to Links Park on Saturday, and they weren't always a Third Division team. Not too long ago were the days in which Morton regularly challenged for the First Division championship. However, financial troubles have dogged the club, and they have dropped quickly thorugh the leagues.

Way back in 1996, it was considered to be likely that Morton would see off Montrose in the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup. The game was played on Tuesday 13 February and Montrose did well to pull off a 1-1 draw at Cappielow. As the 4th round ties were due to take place the following Saturday, the powers that be decided the replay should take place 24 hours later. Montrose supporters were outraged that part-time players should be forced to play under those conditions, and suspected that it was a bit of a fix to ease their west coast opponents into the next round for a plum tie against then premier opposition, St Johnstone.

It looked to be heading in exactly that direction when Montrose went 2 down after 15 minutes, but the team scrapped valiantly to win the tie 3-2 in front of an ecstatic home crowd. Triumph against adversity as only the Gable Endies can!

The official website (http://www.montrosefc.co.uk) has a more detailed section on this match in its "Great Games" section.

This season, Morton, like Montrose, have had an indifferent start, with only two wins against Stirling and Queen's Park and they are equal with us on points. A win could see us climb a few places, while a defeat is really unthinkable.

Morton's sponsors are confectionery firm, Golden Casket. Let's hope it's the Montrose strikers who have sweet feet on Saturday!!