STEELE STEALS A POINT
By Gary McKenzie
August 30 2003
Scottish Football League Division Three, 30 August 2003, Links Park, Montrose. Montrose 3 (Kerrigan (9), Gibson (17), Black (58)) Elgin City 3(Bone (pen 38), Coulter (57), Steele (69))
Montrose unveiled Roddy Black from Brechin as the "first divison" trialist mentioned in this morning's press. Black played on the left side of midfield in a side which omitted club captain, Craig Farnan. As Montrose were boasting a full-strength squad, it can only be assumed that Farnan was dropped due to lack-lustre performances so far this season.
Montrose started well, and it took only nine minutes to begin the scoring in what was to become an exciting, hard-fought match.
Kerrigan stooped in the penalty area to head home a Kevin Webster free-kick past the Elgin defence for a brilliant opener.
Gibson was taking command in the middle of the park to have one of his best games in a Mo shirt. He rose to meet a cross from Kerrigan and nodded a header across goal and past the keeper in 17 minutes to put the Mo further ahead and it seemed that we were heading for our first three points of the season.
Elgin, however, were fortunate to be awarded a penalty when Bone was adjudged to have been tripped in the box and he stepped up to pull one back on 38 minutes.
Elgin were a much better side in the second half, and they pulled level after 57 minutes with a header by Coulter from a corner.
Montrose didn't waste time in going ahead again a minute later when Roddy Black lofted the ball into the net from the edge of the box after the Elgin keeper had been drawn out of position to make a save.
Sadly, though, the best goal of the game was yet to come. 69 minutes Steele curled a lovely shot high inside Butter's left hand post to level the score once again.
Montrose replaced Michie and Black with Wood and Smart in an effort to secure all the points, and made plenty chances to wrap it up, but nothing's going our way just now.
This was a much improved performance after last week's disappointment. Much more commmittment shown and some good passing football in places.
Ex-Endies, John Allison and Chris Ogboke performed well for Elgin, although the latter committed a number of silly fouls and was booked and substituted in the second half, while former Mo player/coach David Robertson roared at his Elgin side from the bench.
Teams
Montrose
Butter, Donachie, McQuillan, Simpson, Ferguson, Webster, Conway, Gibson, Black, Michie, Kerrigan
Subs: Smart, Wood, Henderson, Sharp, Hankinson
Elgin
Pirie, Hind, White, Coulter, Campbell, Martin, Allison, Steele, Murphy, Ogboke, Bone
Subs: Gallagher, McCormick, Bremner, Teasdale, Hamilton
An alternative report can be found on the BBC Sport Report