IRN BRU Scottish Football League
Division Three
Saturday 1st October 2011
Montrose 2 Peterhead 1

MONTROSE recorded a well-deserved victory over big-spending Peterhead with a confident team performance.
The visitors had taken the lead through high-profile striker Rory McAllister in the 12th minute. The former Brechin man’s close control carried him into the box, where nimble footwork and body strength enabled him to hold off three Montrose defenders. Having worked himself into space, he slammed a shot into the net from 12 yards out.
Their lead lasted almost until half time, Montrose finding the equaliser their play deserved four minutes before the break. Sean Pierce’s run down the right carried him into space near the byeline, and his square ball was missed by all of the Peterhead defenders. The unmarked Terry Masson was more fortunate, slamming his shot home from near the penalty spot.
Montrose scored what proved to be the winning goal midway through the second half. Visiting goalkeeper Paul Jarvie failed to bring the ball under control, allowing Pierce to rob him inside the box. The young striker kept his composure, dropping a pass into the path of the onrushing Martin Boyle. Boyle had plenty of time to poke the ball into the empty net.
Montrose’s team performance had merited the win, as they kept the expensively-assembled Balmoor side at bay for extended periods. They also created a number of chances themselves, Steven McPhee slamming a half volley into the side netting on the quarter hour mark.
The home side’s top goalscorer, Boyle, also had several opportunities. One of the best that came his way in the first half saw Pierce flick the ball into his path. Boyle headed the ball down, but had a shot saved from a tight angle. From the following corner, Jonathan Smart’s powerful header was brilliantly saved by Jarvie.
Dougie Cameron was posing a threat from dead balls, and could have levelled the scores in the 20th minute after Pierce was pulled down outside the box, but the midfielder sent his free kick high and wide of goal.
McAllister should have doubled Peterhead’s advantage five minutes later. Aaron Conway curled a free kick into the box, McAllister meeting it with a header that rebounded off the post. With the ball landing back at his feet and the goal gaping, the striker skied the ball. Full back David Donald also came close, scooping his shot over the crossbar from inside the box.
The second half started with Peterhead on the attack, Scott Ross coming close with a shot and a header from consecutive corners. Martin Bavidge should have done better with his effort in the 53rd minute, blasting a shot high and wide of goal after a 40-yard run into the box.
Montrose were also creating chances, Paul Lunan heading narrowly over the crossbar from a Cameron corner. At the other end, Callum McDonald headed wide from a corner.
Martin Boyle could have opened his account five minutes before he put Montrose ahead, doing well to hold off McDonald, continuing into the box but shooting into the side netting.
After Montrose had taken the lead, they could have sat back and hoped to see out the match, but they continued to press for goals. Steven McPhee could have extended the lead in the 72nd minute, but shot high and wide. Martin Boyle was also causing problems for Peterhead’s defenders. He appeared to be tripped in the box 17 minutes from time, but referee Brian Colvin waved play on. The ball then fell to Stephen McNally, who shot wide. McNally came close again just a minute later, beating Jarvie with a powerful drive that flew wide of the post.
With time running out, Pierce came close after beating Donald and cutting inside, sending his shot wide of the target.
Boyle passed up one final chance in injury time, taking the ball past Jarvie, reaching the byeline but somehow sending his shot across the face of the empty goal.

Match Report by Mark Rae