Sunday, November 21, 2010

Season 2010/2011: Match 9: Montrose v Whitehill Welfare

Montrose got back to winning ways yesterday with a 3-1 win over East of Scotland League side Whitehill Welfare.

The result wasn't anywhere as comfortable as the scoreline suggests, Montrose competing against 10 men from the 38th minute onwards and scoring two of their goals from the penalty spot.

It was a fast-paced game, but Montrose seemed to lack composure throughout, resorting to long punts up the pitch when their numerical advantage should have given them licence to pass the ball around and dictate the pace.

The home side were a goal down inside eight minutes, Daniele Giordano having a rush of blood to the head. The goalkeeper made a mess of a clearance, sending it straight to an unmarked midfielder on the edge of the box and watching helplessly as the ball was sent straight back over his head and into the empty net.

The goal was against the run of play, but Montrose struggled to come back from it. They evantually scored an equaliser when Tosh netted from the spot after he had been tripped in the box by Alan Cornet.

It was deja vu for Whitehill in the 38th minute when Tosh again scored from the spot, this time after Cornet had picked up his second yellow card for handball.

Playing against 10 men, Montrose should have dominated the second half, but it took them until the 75th minute to find the third goal that killed off this Scottish Cup Third Round tie, Gordon Pope volleying home from a Ross McCord corner.

All in all, it was a deserved win that was reached in a more roundabout fashion than was necessary. A couple of injury worries as well, Hugh Davidson again limping off injured in the first half and Giordano swapped for Sandy Wood 15 minutes from the end.

But we're into the Fourth round. Let's hope the draw brings Rangers to Links Park.

Man of the Match: A fast-paced match suited some of Montrose's more attack-minded players, including Aaron Sinclair, Martin Boyle (given a much-deserved starting place) and Paul Tosh. Stephen McNally was also a constant creative hub. But Ross McCord was at the heart of all of Montrose's attacking moves, and was unlucky not to score himself. The youngster is really growing in confidence and should have a good future ahead of him.


The Mantis said...

WW fan here Jock. Pretty objective report, obviously would have liked to see 11 men stay on the park to make a game of it. At 1-0 it looked like being a long afternoon for the Welfare.
Who's that guy who sings the whole time at your games?

Groanin' Jock said...

Not sure who you mean, I was sitting at the back of the stand behind the WW fans, so all I could hear was their songs!

The Mantis said...

Oh I just assumed he was a local worthy. 40ish,slim, with a bit of a grey beard. Stood near the pie queue first half, then in the shed second half. The Mo fans kind of ignored him as if they were used to him. He just sings a line from a song then another then another. He's not belting them out loud, it's like a kind of therapy for him:-)

information executive said...

that will be mad hamish :)

I thought McCord had his worst game in a montrose shirt; really really poor passing and final ball. He has been outstanding overall though.