Montrose lose 2-0 after dominating the match

By Gary McKenzie
December 29 2002

Saturday 28 December 2002, Scottish League Division 3, Links Park, Montrose. Montrose 0 (Henderson missed penalty (80)) Gretna 2 (Hore (5), Skelton (90))

Yet another defeat at Links Park, and, once again, it should have been different. Montrose started with Jamie Campbell in goal, as McGlynn was suspended after his red card last week.Graham Sharp was on the right wing, relegating Kevin Webster to the bench.

Montrose were playing some great football, but Gretna scored against the run of play with their first attack after 5 minutes. Skinner sklaffed a shot on the edge of the box, and it fell perfectly for John Hore to net. Even with that setback, Montrose continued to play in the Gretna half and should really have converted something. However, cross balls were poor and Montrose were finding it difficult to break down the packed Gretna central defence. Gretna played on the counter attack and were limited to only a couple of forays into the Montrose box. Gretna lost their first team keeper, Mathieson, early on, with a finger injury, and Wylie replaced him.

John Sheran sent on Robbie Henderson for McKinnon at half-time and he put himself about. After 80 minutes he was tripped in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. He took the kick himself, and Wylie guessed right to save the shot comfortably.

Gretna played better in this half, although still on the counter attack. Stuart Ferguson got in a tussle with Dobie and the Gretna man was lucky not to see red when he aimed a kick at Fergie.

Montrose just couldn't find an equaliser, and the inevitable happened when sloppy defending let in Skelton to put the game beyond reach in injury time.

Surely it can only be a matter of time before the current management team are relieved of their duties.

Mo Team
Montrose: Campbell, Conway, Thompson, McQuillan, Gibson, Graham Sharp, Johnson, McKinnon, Ferguson, Kerrigan, Brand. Subs: Kevin Webster, Henderson, Gilzean, Chris Webster, Hankinson.