By Gary McKenzie
October 31 2005

Scottish Football League Division Three, Saturday 29 October 2005, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 3 (Henslee (11,33, 66) EAST STIRLINGSHIRE 0. Greig Henslee, wearing the number 9 shirt as testament to his recent form in front of goal, rounds off a top class Montrose performance with a hat-trick.

Henry Hall had a bit of a reshuffle as players return from injury to give him selection choices. Donachie took over the right back spot from Dodds, who replaced Elliot Smith at left-back, while Foxy partnered Henslee upfront as Kegsy moved back into his customary midfield role.

Henners gave notice after only two minute that he was the Mo's danger man up front.Foxy found Euan Hall down the left. He passed inside to Henners who tried to curl it over Jackson into the top right corner, but just over.

The Mo made the breakthrough in 11 minutes. Donachie did well down the right wing and sent over an early ball. HENSLEE controlled it brilliantly in the box and took two defenders with him, but managed to slot it across Jackson and into the net.

Foxy should have done better two minutes later when Kegsy went on a run down the left and passed inside but the number 8 fired well over.

Montrose were dominant and Henners won a corner in 22 minutes when he chased a huge Reid kickout. He almost struck again from the corner, then Jackson saved well from Kerrigan when the Shire failed to clear their lines.

Jackson was in action again on 31 minutes, when Dodds fired in a long-range effort and the keeper managed to tip it over.

Another jinking run down the left wing by Kegsy on 33 minutes and an inch-perfect cross for the head of HENSLEE saw the Mo go two up and cruising.

Focy had a chance to make it three juist before half-time when he slid in at the far post but failed to make enough contact to direct it in.

East Stirling sent on Thyssen for Brand at half-time.

On 49 minutes, Paul Tyrrell left his foot in on Hall but no booking ensued.

Stephen became the first Mo player in the book for a very late challenge over at the Mo corner flag in 51 minutes.

East Stirling had a chance in 55 minutes, but Reid got down well to the deflected shot.

Graham was booked in 56 minutes for either dissent or kicking the ball away.

Reid made a fine diving save from Diack in 61 minutes.

Montrose should have sewn it all up in 63 minutes with a lovely move down the right. Foxy and Henners played a lovely one-two and Foxy somehow managed to blast over from two yards out.

Henslee was gifted his and Montrose's third in 66 minutes. Montrose won a corner and Jackson completely missed it as it came over. HENSLEE was waiting to chest the ball home as it was sent back into the danger area. The Shire defence tried in vain to keep it out, but the linesman ran to the centre and the referee gave the goal.

Doyle came on for Fraser then Martin replaced Hall for the Mo.

In 78 minutes, Foxy's 30-yard effort went just over.

It was to be his last contribution as he was substituted by Cargill soon after.

In 82 minutes, Kegsy headed into the path of Martin but his shot was poor and easy for the keeper.

Diack was booked for the visitors who replaced Livingstone with Gaughan.

Worryingly, with only seconds to go,Kegsy went down clutching an arm after a heavy challenge and had to be stretchered off.

This victory puts clear blue water between Montrose and Arbroath in 6th and 7th spot respectively, which sets us up nicely for next Saturday's showdown at Gayfield.

Teams

Montrose

Reid

Dodds, Donachie, McKenzie, Stephen, Kerrigan, Webster, Fotheringham, Henslee, Fraser, Ha;;

Subs: Cargil, Doyle, Martin, Smith, Butter

East Stirlingshire

Jackson, Oates, Owen, M Tyrrell, Smith, P Tyrrell, Livingstone, Brand (Thywissen 46), Diack, Graham, Dymock

Subs: Gaughan, Thyssen, Lejman, Sobolewski, Gillespie