By Gary McKenzie
April 2 2006

Scottish Football League Division Three, Saturday 1 April 2006, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 1 (Fotheringham (57)) BERWICK RANGERS 2 (Haynes (6, 63)). Montrose showed a slight improvement on recent form in the second half but it wasn't enough to take anything from this tie.

A fine spring afternoon in Montrose saw Eddie Wolecki swap Fergie and Fraser around at the back. Otherwise it was a fairly familiar line-up with Barry Donachie returning after suspension and Kelly returning to centre half.

We feared the worst in 6 minutes when McLeish sent over a cross from the edge of the box and HAYNES was on hand to volley home. Difficult to see from where I was but there were a few half hearted shouts for offside.

On 9 minutes, Foxy's shot was deflected wide by the goalie. then Watson's shot flew just wide.

Montrose played an uncharacteristic 4-5-1 with Calum Watson the lone striker, no doubt inspired by the team's recent leaking of goals.

On 15 minutes, Fraser had to save the Mo with a last-ditch tackle after Kelly was short with the header back to he keeper.

On the half hour a shot by Little was brilliantly saved by the fingertips of Wood.

Thankfully the first half soon came to an end. It was a dismal show and could only get better.

Montrose looked a bit more up for it in the second. On 50 minutes, Henslee played in Watson whose shot was tipped over the bar by O'Connor.

At last the breakthrough came in 57 minutes. Henners played a one-two with Fergie and the ball ended up at the feet of Watson whose shot was saved by O'Connor. It came to FOTHERINGHAM who volleyed home through a ruck of players.

Montrose looked hungrier at this stage.

In 65 minutes Haynes was booked for dissent.

Berwick stunned the Mo again on 63 minutes when HAYNES rose to power home a header from a corner.

Lucas replaced Palicka for the visitors.

In 68 minutes, Fotheringham was harshly booked for a lunging tackle. Montrose then sent on Reid for Webster.

Watson then found himself in the book for a tackle on Haynes.

Fotheringham then earned his second booking of the day for a foul right on the byeline and trudged off.

In 76 minutes Swanson was the next player booked for going in late on Fergie.

Greenhill was the last sub of the day, replacing Swanson with 4 minutes later.

 

This was better but still far short of what is required. The team can't play one half a game and expect to come away with anything.

 

Teams

Montrose

Wood, Donachie, Ferguson, Kelly, Fraser, Webster, Davidson, Henslee, Fotheringham, Watson, Middleton

Subs: P Reid, McLeod, Corre, McManus, Hankinson

Berwick Rangers

O'Connor, Murie, McNicoll, Cowan, McGroaty, McLeish, Swanson, Paliczka, Little, Hutchison, Haynes

Subs: Manson, Greenhill, Lucas, Ramsay, Connon