STUNNED BY STAIR PARKERS
By Gary McKenzie
January 31 2004
Scottish Football League Division Three, Saturday 31 January 2004, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 1 (Gibson (34)) STRANRAER 4 (Wright (17), Graham (19, 44), Jenkins (81))
This was the only game to take place in Division Three today. The rest were all postponed because of the weather, and at kick-off we all wondered if this one might have to go the same way. Sleet and a strong wind blowing towards the Wellington Street end made life difficult for the Mo in the first half.
Montrose were penned in for much of the first 45 with a combination of the wind and the Stranraer forwards who looked dangerous and confident.
Indeed it was the Stair Parkers who took the lead when Wright rose to head home a corner after 17 minutes. The Mo were two down 2 minutes later when Graham struck well from the right edge of the penalty box past Butter.
Montrose fought their way back into the match by pushing down the wings through Sharp and Webster. However it was a defensive mistake by Stranraer as they knocked it about at the edge of the box that was intercepted for Gibson to knock home from close in on 34 mnutes. This lifted the team and the home support.
However, the stuffing was knocked well and truly out of the Mo when Graham restored the two-goal cushion just before half-time.
Inevitably, the wind and sleet had died down by the time the second half began, and Montrose got none of the elemental advantage the visitors had enjoyed in the first 45. However, Montrose were intent on taking the game to Stranraer, and made some good chances without converting any.
Sharp made way for Greg Smith, who went to centre half with Fergie moving to his old position at left-back and Elliot Smith moving to Sharp's position. Stranraer were dealing much more effectively with the Mo's wingers by this stage.
Michie was replaced by Smart and Hall came on for Webster, who looked none too pleased about it.
Jenkins finished the job for Stranraer with nine minutes remaining with the best goal of the game as he volleyed past Butter from the edge of the box.
This game was closer than the scoreline suggests. Stranraer are a strong and skilful side, and their front players were a headache for the Mo defence throughout the match. With three defeats against them this season, it's fair to say they are our current bogey team!
Teams
Montrose: Butter, Donachie, McQuillan, Ferguson, Elliot Smith, Webster, Gibson, Kerrigan, Sharp, Michie, Wood
Subs: Greig Smith, Smart, Henderson, Hall, Hankinson
Stranraer: McCondichie, Swift, Wingate, Henderson, Wright, Finlayson, Jenkins, Aitken, Sharp, Moore, Graham
Subs: McAllister, Turnbull, Gaughan, McPhee, Meechan
BBC Sport Report (don't worry it's not by Andrew Gilligan...;))