Montrose 2-1 East Fife – Match Report by Oli Anderson
🏆William Hill League 1
📍Links Park
🗓️Saturday 22nd November | Kick-off: 3:00pm
East Fife faced our second consecutive away defeat on Saturday, as Montrose ran out tight 2-1 winners at Links Park. Results elsewhere mean that we still hold our position in the play-off places heading into the Scottish Cup weekend, although perhaps not on the form that we would’ve hoped for.
The starting line up so a notable addition, with Alan Trouten making his first start in a number of months, as he returned from injury, Ruairidh Adams returned into the squad after his international duty, while Liam Newton also broke back into the starting line-up.
The first piece of action came in bizarre fashion when Montrose were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the 18-yard box. Bah’s attempted clearance was adjudged to have been a pass back, leading to the official’s decision. Liam Newton, however, was out like a flash to the resulting set piece to block the effort.
Ten minutes later however, the Gable Endies had a penalty, after Bah was penalised for a foul on Lyons. Loudon stepped up for Montrose and sent Adams the wrong way. 1-0 Montrose.
After the opener, play took a long pause due to an injury to a match official, after the break in play, East Fife seemed to settle into the game, and after half an hour of action, we found our equaliser.
A brilliant McKenna corner to the back most was met by Andy Munro, who headed the ball back across goal, crossing the line via a deflection. East Fife had more chances before the end of the half, but it was Montrose who took theirs.
Lyons and Sandilands paired up on the breakaway, putting East Fife’s defence under pressure. Adams saved Sandilands’ first shot, tipping it onto the crossbar, though the rebound found the Gable Ender, who was able to nod home with ease.
The second half was a bit of a nothing affair, with Montrose defending very solidly, and the Fifers unable to break them down. It looked like the golden opportunity came in the 90th minute for East Fife, when Montrose were penalised for a handball inside the box.
With Alan Trouten off by this point, Michael McKenna stepped up to take. His penalty looked well placed, though Cammy Gill guessed correctly and made a fine save to ensure that Montrose kept all three points in Angus.
Montrose – Gill, Williamson, Steeves, Quinn, Dillon, Masson, Sandilands (Machado 90+4’), Freeman, Loudon, Gibson (Webster 67’), Lyons (Brown 77’). Subs not used: Waddell, Mochrie, May, Bertie, Millar, McClenents.
East Fife – Adams, Newton (Peggie 63’), Easton, Munro, Bah, Millar, McManus, Latona (Norey 63’), McKenna, Culbert (Slattery 83’), Trouten (Nicol 63’). Subs not used: Linton, Wilson, Bell, Fairley, Rollo.
Referee – Duncan Williams
Attendance – 571
