ROVER-WHELMED

By Gary McKenzie
August 14 2005

Scottish League Division Three, Saturday 13 August 2005, Links Park, Montrsoe. MONTROSE 0 ALBION ROVERS 2 (Chisholm (70, 78). A double by young Iain Chisholm saw off the Mo and left us without a win or even a goal in two league games this season.

With all our strikers wither suspended or injured, Henry Hall named six midfielders in the starting eleven. Even so, before the game, most of the home support still thought we'd take something from the game.

Henslee and Fotheringham started up fron for the Mo, with Fraser and Kerrigan in central midfield and Webster and Hall on the wings. The first fifteen minutes was a pretty scrappy affair, with Albion creating a couple of half chances and Hall ballooning over the bar from 25 yards.

Montrose won a free kick in 18 minutes on the right side about 25 yards out. Webster's floated cross was just about met by Henslee who knocked it wide.

Webster and Henslee again combined three mnutes later. Webster played a pass to Henslee on the edge of the box with his back to goal. The Mo no 11 turned brilliantly, but played it too far ahead and the keeper made a save.

Henslee had another chance in 28 minutes, but his first shot was blocked and he knocked the rebound over.

Hall had another long range effort in 34 minutes but his dipping shot ended up just over.

Route 1 almost paid off for the Mo in 41 minutes, when Henslee ran on to a huge Reid kick out, but he blasted over.

Fotheringham, who was having difficulty with his new role up front, did well to beat a man in 42 minutes to set himself up for a shot, but it was over.

Henslee was in action again straight from second half kick off, but his shot was saved.

There was little more to shout about until the 63rd minutes, when Henslee's shot was parried by the keepr and the onrushing Montrose forward looked to have been fouled in the box, buut the referee gave offside.

It looked like Henslee finally got his reward for some good work in 69 minutes when he rose to head home at the far post. However the goal was chalked off for some unknown reason.

Henry Hall rejigged the team by sending on Watson and Cargill for Fraser and Hall. Albion took advantage of the break in concentration when CHISHOLM received the ball in a good position on the edge of the box, rounded Reid in the home goal and slotted it home from a tight angle.

Montrose tried to rally and Cargill shot just wide from the edge of the box in 77 minutes.

Rovers wrapped up the points a minute later when CHISHOLM connected with a low cross from the Albion right and flicked it past Reid.

Rovers sent on Bonnar for Noble, then Wilson for Young.

With only seconds remaining, Albion replaced Sichi with Franch.

Smith's 30 yard shot was tipped over and was the last meaningful action of the game.

Teams

Montrose

Reid, Donachie, Smith, McKenzie, Stephen, Kerrigan, Webster, Fotheringham, Fraser, Hall, Henslee

Subs: Doyle, Dodds, Cargill, Watson, Butter

Albion

Ewings, Lennox, Noble, O'Neil, Lennon, McGhee, Sichi, Friel, Chisholm, Young, Donnelly

Subs: Bonnar, Franch, Wilson, Houston, Creer