Arbroath2–2Montrose

Arbroath welcomed George Shield and his Montrose to Gayfield for the 5th game between the two teams this season. The new year’s derby clash always hard to predict but the fixture had caught the attention of many supporters with the largest attendance in League 2 all season with an impressive 1395. The large crowd were treated a sunny afternoon with not a cloud in the sky, although there was a very chilly breeze.

Arbroath were forced into a change before the game even kicked off as Craig Johnstone who was listed in the team sheet to start had to be replaced at the last second by Johnny Lindsay. The inclusion of Lindsay was the only change from the starting line up from last weekend as McCallum again started in goal, with Little, Nicoll, McBride and Lindsay forming the back four. In midfield Linn, Whatley, Hunter and Lowdon with Murray and McManus up front.

The injury to Johnstone did re-enforce the fact that Arbroath are a little short in bodies with only 5 substitutes in Smith, Buchan, Easton, Stewart and Morrison.

As the players ran out led by Referee Mat Northcroft both sets of fans seemed to be surprised by Marvin Andrews who was turning out for Montrose after being released by Elgin City earlier in the week.

Arbroath kicked off the first half as the low sun started to slowly disappear over the pleasureland roof. The game had barely kicked off when Paul Watson required treatment after falling awkwardly. Marvin Andrews made his first touch of the ball count as he threw himself over Simon Murray much to the satisfaction of the small away support. Simon Murray though was soon giving Andrews a glimpse of his electric pace as Linn fed a sublime pass which allowed Murray to beat the offside trap but his shot was just on the wrong side of the post as Andrews closed in.

Arbroath were forced to make an early substitution after an accidental clash between Jordan Lowdon and Marvin Andrews left Lowdon concussed and with a broken nose. A cruel blow after his man of the match performance against East Fife and recent performances but hopefully he will be fit enough to return next week. Dylan Easton came on in the 17th minute as a direct replacement for Lowdon.

Dylan Easton almost made a quick impact as he first struck a long range effort which McKenzie saved before Scott McBride brought the ball forward and found Linn who fed in Easton who danced his way into the box before hit a right foot shot which hit the left hand post. As the moon started to rise behind the Harbour stand Montrose won a free kick in a dangerous position which also resulted in a yellow card for Ricky Little. Ross McCord put the free kick wide of McCallum’s post but McCord had been the top performer for Montrose in the first 30 minutes with Andrews also impressing and getting on to a corner kick but it was straight at McCallum.

At the other end Simon Murray was ruing a great opportunity when a cross into the box missed everone at fell to Murray at the back post but he put his header to the wrong side of the post, although Murray tried to make amends moments later when he ran into the box with the ball and got a shot in from the left but McKenzie got down to save.

Arbroath finally did make the break through when a corner kick was cleared by Montrose but back to Bobby Linn and as he held up play on the edge of the box Adam Hunter called for the ball and as Linn laid it into his path he ran on and smashed it from 25 yards out into the bottom corner of the net! The goal coming as a suckerpunch for Montrose as it came in the 44th minute but Arbroath still had time to get another shot in due to the injury time and the impressive Dylan Easton made McKenzie save again.

Half time – Arbroath 1 – 0 Montrose

The temperature had certainly dropped as the second half kicked off and with no changes Arbroath were looking to add to their lead with a long range speculative effort first from Paul McManus before Dylan Easton just missed as he took aim from distance but just missed to the left of McKenzie’s goal. The chances kept coming and next Bobby Linn threatened as he tore into the box before taking a shot. Arbroath did get their goal and who else, but Simon Murray!

Murray picked up the ball on the half way line chased by Harwood but Murray’s pace was too much for Harwood and as he tried to muscle Murray off the ball he lost half a yard and Murray was through on McKenzie and after a quick look up Murray side stepped the keeper before keeping his composure to smash the ball with his right foot into the net sending the large home support behind the goal into rapture.

The goal coming in the 54th minute seemed to push Montrose forward as Andrews again threatened with a header before play rushed down to the other end with Murray slotting in his strike partner Paul McManus but his shot was punched away by McKenzie. Arbroath were pushing with a series of corners with Scott McBride almost heading home a third as he beat everyone to the ball. Although it was misery at the other end for McBride as the ball deflected into McCallum’s net to allow Montrose back into the game.

Montrose made their first change with Terry Masson replacing Paul Harkins which was followed up with a yellow card for Paul McManus after a trip on McCord. Montrose won a free kick from the free kick and from the resulting corner Marvin Andrews won the ball before Garry Wood backheeled the ball into the crowded box where Steven Day poked in before being booked for celebrating with the crowd. Game on.

Montrose had turned the game on its head and Arbroath could have been under more pressure as Scott McBride seem to take a knock and looked in real agony, but signalled to the bench he was able to play on. Montrose were now pressing for the winner with shots by Johnston and Day then only a fantastic tackle by Mark Whatley preventing a quick counter attack but as the game turned into a real frantic derby game it was at the other end where Dylan Easton sprinted into the box before being taken out by Crawford who conceded a penalty and also picked up a yellow card.

Paul McManus stepped up looking to score his 3rd penalty of the season, but as he tried to outsmart McKenzie with a little change of direction he smashed the ball high over the bar after McKenzie had committed and dived to his left. This worked in Montrose’s favour as they took back the initative and pressed with Andrews forcing another save from a corner kick, but it was again Man of the Match Easton who broke free and as he raced towards the Montrose goal he was clinically taken out by Garry Wood who made no effort to win the ball. To everyone’s surprise the colour of the card was only yellow.

Moments later and in a similar situation but on the right wing as Bobby Linn raced forward he was taken out by Paul Watson but again only a yellow was flashed. This provided Arbroath a chance to get the ball into the box which resulted in 4 corner kicks in quick succession but not even Easton could get the winner as his shot flashed across the goal. Montrose picked up their 5th card of the afternoon after Easton was fouled again this time by Masson. In the final nail biting moments Montrose nearly won it as a shot trickled across the goal line but nobody was there to tap it in before at the other end Simon Murray danced into the box and looked to shoot but Andrews blocked again.