STRIKERS? WHO NEEDS EM?

By Gary McKenzie
October 23 2005

Scottish Football League Division Three, Saturday 22 October 2005, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 2 (Henslee (12), Kerrigan (61)) ELGIN CITY 0. Montrose finally managed to put their chances away and get all three points.

This was Montrose's first win since August's defeat of A****** at Links Park, and the pressure may be easing a little on Henry Hall.

He still had the problem of no fit or available strikers, with Martin and McLean injured and Calum Watson on holiday. Martin at least made the bench and his return to first team action is welcome.

So the manager tried something different by playing Kerrigan up front with Henslee.

It could all have gone wrong in the first few seconds when Dodds and Reid failed to communicate and let Elgin in with a deflected kick out, but the visitors failed to capitalise.

Henslee ran on to a Kegsy header on 4 minutes and looked to have been brought down in the box, but the claims were waved away.

Andy Reid was one-on-one with veteran striker Martin Johnston a minute later and the keeper saved well.

Montrose made the breakthrough on 12 minutes with a superb move. Kerrigan held the ball up well as the Mo broke in midfield and fed Webster for a trademark run down the right wing. He looked up and cut back to the onrushing HENSLEE who rammed it high into the net for a deserved opener.

Both teams settled into a long ball contest with little action of note until the 34th minute when Hall's drive from the edge of the box was gathered by Renton at the second attempt.

As half-time approached, Elgin had a couple of good chances to equalise, but sent them over and wide respectively.

Half-time brought Stereophonics' "Have a Nice Day", Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams " (again) and a welcome airing of Primal Scream's "Rocks".

Elgin replaced Wood, who was getting a bit narky at the end of the first period, with Jack for the second half, then 10 minutes in, replaced Scullion with Jamie McKenzie... (no, not OUR Jamie McKenzie.)

On 58 minutes, Foxy was booked for a challenge at the edge of the Mo box. Vigurs' kick was deflected wide.

Montrose secured all the points in 61 minutes when KERRIGAN tapped home from inches out after a Foxy corner created havoc in the Elgin box.

On 66 minutes, Elgin's McKenzie fouled Kerrigan and Henslee came storming in to protect his captain. McKenzie and Henslee were both booked for their part.

Dickson then picked up a booking for a dreadful tackle on Hall. Both players were substituted - Fraser for the Mo and Bremner for Elgin.

Kegsy almost grabbed his second on 81 minutes but his diving header went just past.

Donachie replaced Doyle, who had a poor game by his standards.

Kerrigan found himself in the book for a late challenge, but it looked soft.

With 6 minutes remaining, Henry Hall sent on Willie Martin for Kerrigan.

Reid had to make a great fingertip save on 86 minutes to maintain his clean sheet.

Webster went close with a header that Renton did well to save on 90 minutes then Fraser went on a fine run but blasted over with only seconds to go.

Ironically, this wasn't the best performance, but the important thing for the Mo was we took our chances. Playing Kerrigan up front seemed to make the difference, as he held the ball up well and was always dangerous at long diagonal balls.

We have the chance to leapfrong Arbroath if we get at least a draw at Cliftonhill this week.

Teams

Montrose

Reid, Dodds, Smith, J McKenzie, Stephen, Doyle, Webster, Fotheringham, Kerrigan, Henslee, Hall

Subs: Donachie, Fraser, Cargill,Martin, Butter

Elgin City

Renton, Cumming, Dempsie, Kaczan, Scullion, Napier, Hind, Johnston, Wood, Vigurs

Subs: Bremner, Muir, J McKenzie, Jack, S McKenzie