Montrose3–0Arbroath

Arbroath made the short trip up the east coast to Links Park to play their sixth and final derby game of the season. Both teams have had very different seasons but in recent the Lichties have looked a shadow of the team which charged into an 8 point lead at the top of the table.

The Arbroath team only had one change with Jack Smith coming into replace Simon Murray who dropped to the bench. The Lichties lined up with McCallum, Whatley, Nicoll, Gordon, McBride, Linn, Hunter, Stewart, Carreiro, Smith and McManus with Murray, Buchan, Rowan, Grant, Johnstone, McGeever and Wilson on the Arbroath bench.

Links Park was battered with a strong cold wind and many of the large Arbroath support made their way to sit in the main stand as Arbroath kicked off against the wind towards the shed end. Perhaps it was the wind or the thought of a relegation play off or even just trying to beat Arbroath for the first time this season but Montrose started strongly and within 2 minutes Garry Wood had a shot which just landed on the roof of the netting before Marvin Andrews should have done better as he won a header in front of goal from the first corner kick of the game.

Adam Hunter won a free kick about 30 yards out after being fouled in the air by Ross Campbell but Bobby Linn’s free kick was just to the left of McKenzie’s post. Linn a few minutes later found himself in the referee’s notebook for an apparent dive as he ran into the Montrose box, with Crawford and Andrews closing in from either side Linn went down as Andrew’s legs tripped him up. Referee Colin Stevens really got this decision wrong as Linn was definitely knocked off the ball - perhaps not a penalty kick, but it certainly wasn’t simulation.

At the other end Montrose again came close as first Ross McCord had a shot and then Ross Campbell a minute later as he blasted towards McCallum’s goal. As play rushed to the other end Bobby Linn twisted and turned the imposing Marvin Andrews before finally smashing a shot across goal which McKenzie saved for a corner kick. Terry Masson also joined Linn in the referee’s book after a foul on Keiran Stewart. As Bobby Linn continued to be the only Arbroath player who looked like he could inspire a goal it was from his boot that the first real clear cut chance was created. Linn was chased by Crawford out on the left wing but he managed to change direction and curl in a cross to the box where Paul McManus was waiting. Paul hit the cross on the volley but he couldn’t get full connection and the ball curled on the wrong side of McKenzie’s post.

It proved costly as within 2 minutes Montrose had taken the lead. The ball broke free to Graham Webster who had been having joy down the Arbroath left wing and he struck a rasping shot across goal into the top of the Arbroath net. Disaster.
Arbroath pushed on and after good link up play between Carreiro and Linn, Carreiro found himself in the Montrose box and had time to look up where McManus and Smith were waiting. He passed to McManus who was in the centre of the 6 yard box but his shot spun off to the right just to the wrong side of Jack Smith who couldn’t twist in time to catch it. Montrose certainly weren’t sitting back and McCord, Campbell and Wood all had shots on the Arbroath goal before Keiran Stewart forced McKenzie to save as he curled a shot from just inside the 18 yard box.

Half time – Montrose 1 – 0 Arbroath

Montrose kicked off the second half with neither team making any changes. Arbroath had been looking to utilise the wind but 2 minutes into the second half and Montrose had doubled their lead. Garry Wood found Ross Campbell who had got goal side of both Nicoll and Gordon and he took a touch before smashing the ball from 16 yards out under the diving McCallum.

Again it was Bobby Linn who showed the only spark in getting back into the game who picked up the ball and after twisting his way past both Steeves and Andrews fired a right foot shot at McKenzie but he again saved for a corner kick. Things were only going to get worse as Ross Campbell got his second of the match after being set up by Scott Johnston. Ironically it was Campbell who was sent off for East Fife in the last game Arbroath won.

Another run by Linn into the Montrose box won a corner kick after McKenzie saved a Stewart header and from the corner kick Scott McBride almost scored as McKenzie pushed over his thumping header. Arbroath made their first change with Simon Murray coming on for Jack Smith before minutes later Kevin Buchan replaced Paul McManus.

Greg Cameron was booked for a foul on Dylan Carreiro with the resulting free kick forcing McKenzie to tip over before Crawford was also booked for a bad tackle on Linn but Hunter’s free kick was too high. Ryan McGeever replaced Liam Gordon in defence for Arbroath’s final substitution. Kevin Buchan came closest to scoring after Linn set him up and his curling shot from 18 yards out smashed off the Montrose crossbar. Ex Lichtie David Banjo came on to replace the impressive Graham Webster as Ross McCord was also shown a yellow, before a minute later keeper Stuart McKenzie was also booked for time wasting.

A last gasp tackle by Johnathon Crawford on Bobby Linn prevented a goal bound shot as Linn again darted into the Montrose box. Ross Campbell made way for Jordan Allan before at the other end Kevin Nicoll was booked for a challenge on Ross McCord. In the final minutes Adam Hunter was forced off with an injury as Arbroath ended the game with 10 men as all the subs had been used.