TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE, 2-1

By Gary McKenzie
February 8 2003

Saturday 8 February 2003, Scottish League Division 3, Links Park, Montrose. Montrose 1 (Johnston (77)) Peterhead 2 (Cameron (25), Bone (pen, 69))

It became clear early on in this match that it was going to be tough for Montrose. Peterhead are a strong, physical side, and they took the initiative early on. Montrose were penned into our own half, and although we defended stoutly, and tried to frustrate Peterhead with the offside trap, it came as no great surprise when Cameron sprung that trap after 25 minutes and burst through to score. Grant Johnston was trying his best, but too many Montrose players were having an off day, especially Graham McCheyne and the usually-reliable Steve Kerrigan, who uncharacteristically managed to get himself booked in this game.

Montrose sent on Gibson for McCheyne at the break and were more positive in the second half, but were unable to break down the hefty Peterhead defence. Henderson replaced Kerrigan, but Stuart Ferguson was hard done by on 69 minutes as he looked to have won a sliding tackle in the box fairly, but the referee pointed to the spot. McGlynn went the wrong way to Bone's kick and it looked all over. Thompson came on for Ferguson and Montrose grabbed a lifeline on 77 minutes as Grant Johnston pounced to head the ball home as the ball bounced in the area from a rare Montrose corner. However, mistakes were still all too common and we couldn't pull back the deficit. To be honest the scoreline flattered us a bit.

Mo team

McGlynn, Donachie, Christie, McQuillan, McCheyne, Riley, Johnson, McDonald, Ferguson, McKechnie, Kerrigan. Subs: Henderson, Thompson, Brand, Gibson, Hankinson.