Active Nation Scottish Cup
Second Round
Saturday 24th October 2009
Banks O' Dee 0 Montrose 3

Montrose Football Club finally recorded their first victory of the season as they safely negotiated a passage through to the Third round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup on Saturday against Aberdeen junior Super League champions Banks o Dee.
In what was a difficult tie at Spain Park both sides should be commended for seeing through the ninety minutes in what can only be described as horrendous weather conditions. With a strong wind and rain playing havoc for the entire match.
In the end Steven Tweed’s side were comfortable winners just as Montrose were against Pollock two season’s ago.
Praise must be given to the Montrose support who made up more than half of the 190 fans who braved the elements to support their side in Aberdeen.
After the draw against Forfar Athletic the previous week Montrose named an unchanged line up. But there were three changes on the bench with John Gemmell, Fraser Milligan and John Maitland all returning from injury at the expense of youngsters Jordan Leyden, Mark Russell and Nick Gray. Ryan Stewart was the other substitute alongside goalkeeper Steven Coutts.
The Banks o Dee line up included ex Montrose player Ross McWilliam and former Montrose Roselea midfielder Martin Christie who left Broomfield Park in the summer.
It was the Gable Endies who got the match underway with the Spain Park with the pitch looking in good condition.
Banks o Dee had the wind in their favour at the start of play with Montrose shooting right into the downpour.
In the sixth minute the home side won a corner kick, which was taken by Gary McNamee but Ross McWilliam headed his cross behind.
Andy McNeil managed to get some length to a goal kick and Daryl Nicol raced through but off side was give against the young forward.
Montrose created another chance in the 12th minute when Aaron Sinclair sent in a deep cross which found the head of Chris Hegarty but he could only head straight into the arms of Banks o Dee keeper Grant Pennet.
Two minutes later the home side won a free kick, which was taken by Robbie Turnbull, son of ex Montrose player Mike. He found Gary McNamee who could only volley over the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Montrose managed to get free of the home defence with 18 minutes done. Daryl Nicol sent over a cross from the right but captain Hugh Davidson could only send his diving header wide of the far post.
Robbie Turnbull again had a free kick for the home side in a dangerous position but this time the ball hit the wall and Montrose cleared the danger.
With 33 minutes gone Montrose won a corner kick which Aaron Sinclair played short to Hegarty he whipped the ball into the box but Sean Crighton headed right at home keeper Grant Pennet.
The home side raced up the pitch and won a corner themselves which almost lead to the opening goal. Ex Montrose Roselea player Martin Christie took the kick but slipped in the process, this sent the ball fizzing into the area and it smacked off the crossbar. In the scramble Montrose managed to clear the danger.
Montrose had a good chance of their own to take the lead in the 36th minute Chris Hegarty played through a ball with just enough wait on it and Nicol found himself clear but the youngster shot straight into the arms of Grant Pennet.
With the elements still in their favour Banks o Dee had another corner kick which found midfielder Martin Christie who headed against the crossbar.
On the stroke of half time Montrose had another half chance when a pass almost found Sean Anderson but he couldn’t connect with the ball and the opportunity had gone.
Montrose had the elements in their favour at the start of the second half with the conditions not having improved and the rain now starting to form puddles on the Spain Park pitch.
The Gable Endies forced an early corner kick which Daryl Nicol took slightly too strongly and the ball went out of play at the other side of the park.
Nicol made another good run in the 52nd minute for Montrose but he was caught offside by the home defence.
Montrose finally made the break through in the 57th minute. Anderson won a corner kick, which was sung into the area by Aaron Sinclair. The Banks o Dee players didn’t properly clear the ball and from the edge of the box PAUL WATSON sent a low drive into the net with the aid of a slight deflection. Watson celebrated his goal in style with the travelling support almost crashing into the boundary wall as he was joined by his teammates.
Paul Watson had now got his shooing boots on and he tried to catch out Pennet in the 61st minute with a 40 yard shot but the keeper got back to save.
Two minutes later Banks o Dee made their first change bringing on junior hitman Martin Foy for Martin Christie.
Three minutes later the home side made another change with McQuigan replacing full back Craig Phillips.
A minute later Banks o Dee were awarded a free kick when Steven Tweed fouled Richie Whyte. McWilliam took the kick but McNeil pulled off a great save.
In the 69th minute Montrose made a change of their own when John Gemmell came on to replace Sean Anderson.
Montrose kept up the pressure as they went in search of a second goal and Paul Watson had another attempt at goal from 25 yards out but this time the ball sailed over the crossbar.
The home side forced another corner kick in the 75th minute when Crighton put the ball behind from a cross. But the Montrose defence held firm and cleared the danger.
In the next minute the home side made their final change bringing on Jake Strachan for Whyte.
Gemmell played the ball wide to Sinclair who in turn found Watson and his shot was blocked for a corner kick. Nicol used the elements to great effect from his corner kick and the ball almost sailed in before keeper Pennet managed to claw the ball away from under the crossbar.
Aaron Sinclair swung the free kick in from the other side of the park and this time Tweed’s back header was caught under the crossbar by Pennet.
With ten minutes remaining Sinclair and Tomara worked a one – two before the latter was sent crashing to the ground by McQuigan outside the area. Referee Roache promptly booked the substitute. John Gemmell took the free kick but he curled his effort over the crossbar.
In the 84th minute Montrose made the match safe when they grabbed their second goal of the afternoon. John Gemmell when off on a run down the left he beat his man inside the area and fired in a shot. The ball was blocked by home keeper Pennet but only as far as MAREK TOMANA who smacked home an effort high off the post and into the roof of the net.
Montrose were certainly in the mood and were looking for more goals. Gemmell was again the danger and Hegarty met his cross to the far post on the volley but his effort flew over the crossbar.
It was to be Hegarty’s last involvement in the match as he was then substituted by Fraser Milligan.
In stoppage time the Gable Endies sealed their passage into the third round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup with a third goal. Watson played a free kick wide to Daryl Nicol his cross-bounced around the area before ALAN CAMPBELL headed the ball home from close range for his first goal for the club. It was no more than the versatile players recent form had deserved.
Make no mistake his was a hard match played in horrendous conditions and the Gable Endies will be pleased to have kept a clean sheet and finally won their first match of the season. Hopefully they can now take his forward into their disappointing league campaign so far.