RUSSELL RUNS RIOT!

Happy New Year!
By Gary McKenzie
December 31 2005

Scottish Football League Division Three, Saturday 31 December 2005, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 3 (Henslee (65), Fotheringham (pen, 73), Russell (89)) EAST FIFE 1 (Kelly (pen, 52)). An eventful debut for James Russell saw Montrose come back from behind to defeat East Fife.

This match at a misty Links Park was the only Third Division match to beat the weather this New Year's Eve. The prospects didn't look good leading up to the game with the double whammy that Kevin Webster's groin injury would need surgery keeping him out until February at the earliest, and the shock news that Willie Martin was released as new manager Wolecki wants to build a side from locally-based players.

However, East Fife also had player shortage problems with a long absentee list.

The situation gave James Russell, signed from East Craigie, his chance on the right wing for the Mo and he alsmost made an early impression with a shot over the bar in the first few minutes.

The Fifers had the better of the early play, however, and almost scored in 8 minutes but Butter managed to tip the looping shot over.

Neil Stephen found himself in the book after 15 minutes for deliberately holding back an East Fife striker in a threatening position. The referee got that one right, but then embarked on a run of poor decisions that left the home fans howling in disbelief.

Doyle was next in the book for kicking the ball away.

In 24 minutes, Duncan McLean made a good run into the box between two defenders and looked to have a reasonable shout for a penalty when he was impeded, but no foul given.

In 32 minutes, Stephen Fraser hit over a good cross which Russell met with his head but the keeper pushed over.

Euan Hall hit a fine long range volley after 39 minutes which Dodds held at the second attempt.

Euan was then booked for a challenge in which he looked to have taken the ball.

The Fifers had a couple of glorious chances to take the lead, but Butter was the hero for the mo.

Russell, who had looked useful in the first half, turned sinner at the edge of his own box in 52 minutes when his naive lunge on Beith gave away a penalty which was converted by KELLY.

The manager immediately changed things by bringing on Dinachie for Stephen and moving Kerr Dodds to central defence.

Fraser went close for the Mo on the hour when his header was deflected wide by the Easy Fife defence with some suspicion of handball.

However the Mo got a deserved equaliser when HENSLEE slotted home in a crowded penalty area on 65 minutes.

McLean was substituted for Fotheringham a minute later.

Montrose went ahead when Fraser was tripped in the box on 73 minutes and FOTHERINGHAM converted the spot kick.

Alarm bells were ringing in the away dugout as Jim Moffat sent on ex-Gable Endie Johnny Mitchell for Condie.

Russell was causing mayhem down the right for the Mo and on 76 minutes his cross was cheekily backheeled by Fraser but it was saved by Dodds.

With 5 minutes to go, a Trialist replaced Watson for the Mo.

With a minute remaining, Lumsden saw yellow for the visitors for dissent.

RUSSELL then finished off a fine debut by rounding 2 players in the box and netting to send the home fans away to celebrate.

There are some very encouraging signs with this display. The players dug in well when they went behind and showed committment.

The win puts us level on points with Arbroath although we have played a game more. The derby match on Monday takes on a "six-pointer" tag.

 

Teams

Montrose

Butter, K Dodds, E Smith, Doyle, Stephen, Henslee, Russell, Hall, Watson, McLean, Fraser

Subs: Trialist, Donachie, R Smith, Fotheringham, Hankinson

East Fife

J Dodds, Lumsden, Beith, Bain, McDonald, Fortune, Paliczka, Kelly, Bradford, Hampshire

Subs: Campbell, Port, Donaldson, Mitchell, Morrison