IRN BRU Scottish Football League
Division Three
Monday 26th December 2011
Peterhead 2 Montrose 3

Montrose FC opened up a seven point gap over Peterhead after a fine win at Balmoor in a blustery Boxing Day encounter. In a game that was dominated by the wind; Montrose travelled back home with a deserved three points through a Ryan Strachan own goal followed by goals from David McGowan and Jonathan Crawford.
Montrose lined up with Sandy Wood in goals and a return for Alan Campbell at Centre Back with Jonathan Smart, Cameron at Left back and Sean Crighton at Right back. Winter, Masson and loan signing Lloyd Young were deployed across the midfield with a front three of Boyle, Johnston and McGowan.
Montrose started off on the front foot and controlled play during the first 15 minutes or so; passing the ball around and patiently waiting for the right opportunity to utilise the pace of the front three. Johnston was caught offside before Sandy Wood was called upon to come and clear the first of many tricky in swinging corners with his fists. On 10 minutes; Jamie Winter came close with a right footed strike to the left of the post. On 14 minutes Wood made a fine save before the ball went up the park and Peterhead gave away a free kick from approx 30 yards. A trademark blast from Winter could only be blocked by Jellema in the Peterhead goal; the ball ricocheting off of RYAN STRACHAN and into his own net.
On 18 minutes, Captain Dougie Cameron picked up a booking for a strong sliding tackle. Sean Crighton was revelling in his attacking full back role and came close to scoring on 25 minutes when he was released on the right by Boyle and he drilled a shot which was saved by Jellema.
With 30 minutes gone Wood made a terrific one on one save against Rory McAllister to keep Montrose ahead. Peterhead came into the game in the final quarter of the first half with a series of in swinging corners and surging runs from midfield, Terry Masson was called into action on a few occasions; first tracking back 20 yards to win possession from Deasley and with a goal line clearance. The excellent Smart, Crighton and Wood were diligent throughout the period of aerial pressure and difficult conditions to ensure that Montrose went in at half time with a 1-0 lead.
Peterhead started the second half with the wind and they were pushing on in search of an equaliser; allowing Montrose to counter attack against the wind. Within a few minutes Boyle was caught offside after making a slick run across the Peterhead back four. Peterhead were applying all sorts of pressure from the wings with ex Gable Endie Graeme Sharp whipping in a series of crosses which were safely handled by Wood. McAllister forced a fine parry save from Wood on 60 minutes and Ryan Strachan dispatched a shot over the bar. Montrose waited patiently until the 60th minute; a goal kick had Terry Masson on the ball at the half way line; McGowan, Boyle and Johnston all made runs to split the defenders wide and Masson slotted the ball to DAVID McGOWAN who went through on goal and curled a left footer past Jellema and into the net for his first goal for the club. Scott Johnston looked to add to the tally shortly afterwards but his left foot strike went past the post. By the 70th minute Peterhead were effectively playing with four up front and sending balls in from the flanks to hit Bavidge, McAllister and Wyness. Smart make an excellent block to stop Roy McBain before Terry Masson cleared a Strachan corner off of the line. Peterhead got off the mark when yet another Deasley corner was thrown into the box, Wood managed to punch the ball clear but only as far as RYAN STRACHAN who drilled from 20 yards through a myriad of bodies to make it 2-1.
Peterhead were throwing the kitchen sink at Montrose with both Alan Campbell and Smart blocking and clearing corners and strikes from Deasley and McAllister. Montrose boss Ray Farningham looked to alleviate this pressure by bringing on Crawford for McGowan and switching to a 4-4-2. Cameron had a good chance to make it three on 85 minutes but he sent his strike over the bar.
Montrose finally did get their third goal in the 92nd minute when Lloyd Young collected a pass inside the area from Boyle and set up substitute JONATHAN CRAWFORD to clip the ball into the net from close range.
Peterhead still continued to press on and yet another Deasley corner made its way to MARTIN BAVIDGE in the fourth minute of stoppage time and he broke off of his marker, controlled and dispatched past Wood from close range. Montrose held on for the final few minutes to seal a crucial victory in tough conditions against a team who are much stronger than their position suggests.
It was a hard earned three points for Montrose with Peterhead making it very difficult in the wind; the Montrose back five coped very well with the onslaught and credit is also due to Terry Masson for his Man of the Match performance. The young midfielder worked his socks off in the engine room and protected the score line on numerous occasions..

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