STEPHEN,SMART SINK CITY
Super Stephen!
By Gary McKenzie @ Links Park
March 13 2005
Scottish Football League Division Three, Saturday 12 March 2005, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 2 (Stephen (62), Smart (67, pen.)) ELGIN CITY 0. Montrose made it three wins in a row at a freezing Links Park.
After scoring the winner last week, Duncan McLean only made the bench with Smart taking his place up front and Sharp restored to the starting eleven. The rumours are flying that both Sharpy and Woody will be off to P*******d next season, we shall see. Former fans favourite John Allison made the bench for the visitors.
Kevin Webster made an early break into the box after 2 minutes but he was ushered to safety by the Elgin defence.
Nelson shot straight at Jim Butter on 12 minutes and then Renton had to look lively in the Elgin goal to keep a Webster cross out with a diving save.
In 21 minutes, Webster sprung the offside trap and cut inside from the right but his drive was easily saved by the keeper.
On 23 minutes Dempsie was the first to be booked for dissent after the linesman intervened.
On the half hour Elgin went close with a shot that hit the top of the bar,but Butter looked to have it covered.
Elgin almost gave away the first goal a minute later with a short header back to the keeper. Sharp nipped in but his shot was saved by the keeper's legs.
Webetsr and Sharp then changed wings for a bit.
On 41 minutes, Ferguson got up to head for goal, but the keeper took it safely.
Honours were even in a first-half devoid of much entertainment.
Fraser made the first chance of the second half when his long range shot was easy for the keeper on 49 minutes.
On 53 minutes Roddie shot well over from the left.
Elgin were first to try and change things by sending on Bremner for Donnachie on 54 minutes. Webster was booked for dissent a minute later.
There were heads being scratched in the home support when Doyle was replaced by McLean on 57 minutes. Smart dropped back to midfield.
Neil STEPHEN continued his scoring form by heading a Webster corner powerfully home on 62 minutes.
Sharpy caused mayhem in the Elgin defence on 67 minutes and he was tripped in the box by Dickson who was booked. SMART made no mistake from the spot and the Mo were coasting.
Dodds replaced Sharp after 75 minutes.
On 77 minutes, Woody shield ed the ball well and turned, but his fine shot was well saved by Renton at full stretch.
With 11 minutes to go, Watson replaced Woody and Reid replaced Kaczan for Elgin.
On 85 minutes, Wood came on for Roddie for the visitors, but there was little more action, apart from Cumming getting a red card after the final whistle for what he said to a linesman. Who'd be an official these days?
So it's up to 5th spot for the Mo with a chance of third by 4.50 next Saturday if results go our way.
Teams
Montrose
Butter, Donachie, Ferguson, E Smith, Stephen, Doyle , Webster, Smart, Wood, Fraser, Sharp
Subs: Dodds, McLean, Watson, Spink, Hankinson
Elgin
Renton, Cumming, Dempsie, Kaczan, Dickson, J McKenzie, Harty, Nelson, Donnachie, Martin, Roddie
Subs: Allison, Bremner, Reid, Wood, S McKenzie
Other Match Reports
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=154656&cc=5739
http://www.montrose-mad.co.uk/news/loadrprt.asp?cid=MTCH&id=211151
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/4338647.stm