IRN BRU Scottish Football League
Division Three
Saturday 19th September 2009
Montrose 0 East Stirlingshire 3

Montrose’s attempt to record their first win of the season proved to be fruitless against East Stirlingshire, Jim McInally’s side taking all three points thanks to two goals early in the first half, while a third late in the game killed off Montrose’s hopes of a fightback.
Former Montrose striker Andy Rodgers gave the Falkirk side the lead from the penalty spot after only five minutes, Aaron Sinclair adjudged to have fouled Rodgers. He kept a cool head to send Andrew McNeil the wrong way with the penalty kick.
It took the visitors only a further three minutes to double their lead, Michael Bolochoweckyj rising to connect with a Jamie Stevenson corner at the back post.
The early exchanges also saw McNeil hold a 55-yard free kick from Craig Tully and make a good diving save from a Stevenson shot from the edge of the box.
The closest Montrose came to scoring a goal of their own early on was when Chris Hegarty thumped a 30-yard free kick narrowly over the crossbar.
Having taken a two-goal lead so early in the match, East Stirlingshire continued to dominate the match, and should have had a third goal in the 24th minute when poor Montrose defending allowed Stephen McGuire to burst free in the box, but McNeil produced a good save to deny the goal.
Marek Tomana looked lively throughout the first half, finding himself at the centre of several promising Montrose moves. A good run in the 28th minute saw him send the ball wide to Fraser Milligan, whose shot was blocked in the box.
Substitute Daryl Nicol also came close in the first half, trapping the ball well and turning to shoot at visiting keeper Jamie Barclay.
Rodgers could have added to his tally in the 39th minute, but could only shoot over the bar on the half volley from the edge of the box.
Seconds later, Montrose’s John Maitland made his way to the bye line and floated a cross to the back post, where Milligan met the ball with a flying volley. With Barclay beaten, the ball cannoned off the crossbar and out to safety.
The second half started with Montrose playing at a faster pace, but they were unable to convert their possession into clear cut chances. Meanwhile, East Stirlingshire seemed content to keep things tight at the back.
There were few chances of note in the second half, McGuire curling a shot high and wide and visiting substitute Marc McKenzie having a low shot held by McNeil. The closest Montrose came to finding a goal was again from a Hegarty free kick that was held by Barclay.
Montrose were finally killed off by former Celtic man Simon Lynch who broke free in the box and sent his shot in off the far post. He could have added a fourth in the dying seconds, flicking a David Dunn cross wide of the post.

Match Report by Mark Rae