Godfrey's Gaff Gives Webster Winner

By Gary McKenzie
December 7 2002

Scottish Cup First Round. Saturday 7 December 2002, Links Park, Montrose. Montrose 2 (Johnston (32), Webster (44)) Berwick Rangers 1 (Burke (89))

Montrose put their dismal league situation firmly to the back of their minds in this amazing Scottish Cup First Round tie at Links Park.

Montrose settled quickly, and the strinking partnership of Henderson and Kerrigan were causing problems for Berwick. McKinnon and Johnston linked well in midfield. Montrose's pressure finally payed off when, on 32 minutes, Kev Webster crossed the ball from the right, and it was met perfectly by the head of Grant Johnston, and the ball slid under Godfrey's body for a deserved opener.

It was a real gruelling tie and some meaty challenges were coming in from the Second Division side.

The game exploded with controversy a minute from the break. Berwick keeper had spotted Stevie Kerrigan lying injured just inside the Berwick half. He threw the ball out, intending for it to leave the pitch for a throw, but Kev Webster nipped in and sent a sweet lob over the keeper's head and into the net. The game decended into farce with half of the incensed Berwick team chasing after the young winger and he almost had to disappear up the tunnel. Eddie Forrest was red carded for his part. While all this was going on, Stevie Kerrigan was being strapped into a stretcher and he was being taken off just as the final whistle blew.

If we thought the actin was over, we had to think again. Sensibly Sheran subsituted Kev Webster with Ian Gilzean for the start of the second half, and Brand had replaced Kerrigan at the end of the first half. 10 man Berwick did come back into the match a little, but Montrose's defence were having a solid match.

Berwick dug themselves deeper in trouble, when Robbie Henderson was felled by Keith Brown after Brown had won a free kick in the Berwick box, and they were down to nine men.

C Webster came on for Robbie Henderson who had worked his socks off.

Brand was upended in the box on 56 minutes, but the keeper made a fine save from his spotkick.

Montrose had the ball in the net again, with an offside header from Brand (I think) which was teed up by the head of Gilzean.

Berwick did get a consolation with a minute to go through a fine low strike from Alex Burke.

Grant Johnston deservedly won man of the match from the sponsors.

I can honestly say I have never seen a match like this before anywhere, It really did have everything. And if only Montrose could play like this and, more importantly, take their chances, every week, the gloom might be lifted from Links Park.

An away tie with Raith Rovers is the prize for winning today.

Mo team

McGlynn, Conway, Christie, McQuillan, Gibson, Johnson, McKinnon, Ferguson, Kevin Webster, Henderson, Kerrigan. Subs: Gilzean, Budd, Brand, Chris Webster, Hankinson.