By Gary McKenzie
July 20 2005

Friendly. Tuesday 19 July 2005, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 4 (Martin (22, 28, 66), Webster (80)) DEVERONVALE 2 (McWilliam (5), Smith (7)). A superb hat-trick from Willie Martin saw off a spirited Deveronvale in the third pre-season friendly at Links Park.

This game saw the welcome return of Stevie Kerrigan and Kevin Webster to the squad. It also brought old Gable Endies Ross McWilliam, Jamie Watt and the enigmatic Mike McKenzie back to Links Park in Deveronvale colours. Montrose began the match with two trialists - Smart at no 8 and an unnamed trialist at no 11.

The Highlanders started well, forcing a couple of corners. On 5 minutes a good header looked to be beating Reid in the home goal but it slipped wide.

After 10 minutes, Paul Doyle limped off to be replaced by Willie Martin. Elliot Smith filled in in central defence and Henslee took his place ar left-back.

A minute later, Ross MCWILLIAM llatched on to a long clearance from a Montrose corner, beat two Montrose defenders and slotted the ball expertly past Reid to put Vale ahead.

The visitors were well organised and Smith went close for them after 18 minutes when the home defence went to sleep but Reid saved well.

On 22 minutes, MARTIN rose to head powerfuilly home a Foxy corner to level the scores.

Six minutes later the Mo were ahead when Watson robbed Dulgowski and made for the right touchline. His cross was met eventually by MARTIN who stabbed home from a few inches.

The visitors continued to threaten and Urquhart saw his shot easily saved by Reid on the half hour.

Montrose rang the changes at half-time with Reid, Watson and Trialist (Smart) replaced by Butter, Hall and Cargill.

Vale sent Blanchard on for Bremner in goal.

Deveronvale surprised the Mo by coming back again when on 54 minutes SMITH headered home a soft freekick.

Montrose were the better side by this time, though, and showed flashes of good passing movements.

On 58 minutes Henslee shot just wide after a fine run down the right by Webster.

On the hour Vale sent on Jamie Watt and Kidd for McKenzie and Urquhart.

The best move came in 66 minutes. The tralist, who had moved back to left back by this time, came up to support the attack. He cleverly back-heeled the ball into the path of Fotheringham, who floated an inch-perfect cross to MARTIN to secure his hat-trick.

On 67 minutes, after the referee had spoken to the Deveronvale coach, Noble ca,e on for Murray. Montrose sent on Stevie Kerrigan for Fotheringham.

The referee made the strange move of asking Deveronvale's Slater to move back at a Mo throw-in.

on 77 minutes, Montrose had a shout for a penalty when Martin was upended in the box. Vale turned defence into attack and found themselves with two free on the right of the penalty box. Smith shoudl have done better, but sklaffed his shot wide.

Craib replaced Dolan for the visitors and Gilbert's header tested Butter.

WEBSTER scored the goal of the game when he broke down the right. He cut inside, and fired a great shot past the helpless keeper to put the match beyond doubt.

With two minutes remaining, McWilliam was replaced by Rae. Butter had to tip a long range shot over the bar, but the Mo had done enough.

Teams

Montrose

Reid, Donachie, Smith, Doyle, Stephen, Fotheringham, Webster, Trialist (Smart), Watson, Henslee, Trialist (?)

Subs: Kerrigan, Hall, Cargill, Martin, McLean, Butter

Deveronvale

Bremner, Dolan, McWilliam, Chisholm, Dulgowski, Brown, Smith, Gilbert, McKenzie, Murray, Urquhart

Subs: Kidd, Blanchard, Rae, Noble, Slater, Craib, J Watt, G Watt