By Gary McKenzie
April 26 2003

Scottish League Division 3, Saturday 26 April 2003, Links Park, Montrose. Montrose 5 (McCheyne (2), Webster, Kerrigan, Henderson) East Stirlingshire 4 (Livingston (2), Kelly (2, 1 pen)) Montrose finally ran out winners in this quite amazing encounter at Links Park.

Montrose started with an unusual look with Thomson occupying the left back role while Ferguson began in left midfield. Hankinson was in goal amid rumours of a post-match bust-up between McGlynn and Sheran last week. McCheyne, who has played just about everywhere for the Mo this season, wore the number 10 shirt and played up fron beside Kerrigan. How crucial his role was to be. Johnston was welcomed back from injury in the midfield.

It was a scrappy affair early on, but Montrose took the early initiative and McCheyne finished strongly on 6 minutes as he ran on to an inch perfect header from Kerrigan on the right of the penalty box. Basement boys, East tirling were not going to go down without a fight and they pulled one back after poor defending as Livingston scored on 13 minutes. It was becoming end-to-end stuff as both teams struggled to play anything approaching decent football, and in an almost carbon copy of McCheyne's goal, Webster stuck one away from Kerrigan's pass to give Montrose the lead after 31 minutes.

Once again, poor defending let us down, and Gibson's poor pass in the centre circle led to Kelly breaking away and equalising for the Shire on 33 minutes. Hankinson maybe could have done better with both of the Shire's opening goals, but the defending was woeful.

The unlikely McCheyne edged Montrose ahead just before the break as he prodded home from a corner and the home fans were relieved to hear the half-time whistle.

However, the home nerves were to be jangled further in the second half, after Sheran pulled the ineffective Gibson and replaced him with Conway.

The 65th minute saw possibly the softest penalty award of the season when Donachie was penalised for handball, and Kelly levelled from the spot.

The Mo support couldn't believe that the Shire had been allowed to come back into it yet again, but worse was to come on 69 minutes when Livingston scored from a corner and Shire went ahead for the first time. Thomson reverted to his usual left midfield as he swapped with Ferguson.

Panic stations for the Mo and Donachie was sacrificed for Henderson and Budd replaced the limping Thomson.

Kerrigan levelled for the Mo after a suicidal Shire pass back and he made sure on 77 minutes. The best of the lot was still to come as Robbie Henderson volleyed home a Johnston cross on 81 minutes, and the Mo faithful breathed a huge sigh of relief at the final whistle.

The scoreline makes this look like a great game, and it was certainly exciting, but the lack of good football and the poor defending made this an awful game to watch for the Mo support. Too many players couldn't pass the ball, and Sheran's team selection again raises questions. Let's face it, we should be beating East Stirling, and we shouldn't be losing four goals to them.


Hankinson, Donachie, Thompson, Gibson, Christie, McQuillan, Webster, Johnston, Kerrigan, McCheyne, Ferguson

Subs: Conway, Budd, Henderson, Brand, McGlynn.