by Andrew Cockburn

Part Three 11th - 24th September

Four days after their victory at Cliftonhill, Montrose faced Cowdenbeath at home in their first mid-week fixture of the season - Cowdenbeath had an identical League record to Montrose, having also recorded their first League win of the season the previous Saturday, and were one place above Montrose in the table. The Montrose side which faced the men from Fife showed one or two changes to that which had beaten Albion Rovers:
Charles, Middleton, Duffy, Forbes, Neil, Franklin, Allan, Copeland, Loch, Street, McManus.
However, for the second successive home game Montrose found themselves playing second fiddle to their opponents, with Cowdenbeath grabbing the lead after just four minutes - Scott played a short free ~ kick to Mitchell, who hammered a twenty-yard effort past Charles in the home goal.
Buoyed by this early goal, the visitors kept up the pressure and after fourteen minutes looked to have grabbed a second goal, but Shanks effort was cleared off the line by Middleton. Despite having Montrose on the backfoot, Cowdenbeath had to wait until the fifty-fifth minute before
extending their lead - a great pass sent Christie In the clear, I and as he progressed into the box he was upeneded by Charles. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a spot kick, which Mitchell duly converted for both his and his sides second goal of the game.
This finally stirred Montrose onto the offensive, and trialist sub Burke struck the upright with a great effort just after the hour mark.
Montrose did manage a consolation goal near the end, Copeland notching his third goal of the season in the very last minute of the game.
Three days later Montrose were off on their travels again, this time a long trip to Dumfries to take on high-flying Queen Of The South, the Doonhammers having won all of their league games so far. Montrose made one or two changes to the side beaten by Cowdenbeath, Chic McLelland and Neil Forbes both returning to the following side:
Charles, Middleton, Duffy, McLelland, Neill, Copeland, Forbes, Burke, Barbour, Street, McManus.
Against the run of play, the home side took the lead, when Cloy beat Charles with an unstoppable thirty-yard piledriver after seventeen minutes.
A mistake by Clark let in McManus, but the Montrose man was slow to react to the opportunity and Davidson was able to save. Clark then redeemed himself as Moritrose kept up the pressure, puffing in a strong challenge to halt Burke who was clean through. Street then came close to an equalser with a fierce drive which went narrowly wide.
The home side started the second half the brighter, with Dunlop having a fierce effort blocked by McLelland, then Hamill getting in another fierce effort which was just off target.
Then when play swung to the other end, the Queen's came under intense pressure when Street, Middleton and then Copeland all had efforts foiled by a rather frantic home defence.
Montrose came back with Burke, Middleton and Street all having efforts well saved by Davidson in the home goal. J. Robertson then struck the woodwork for the homesters, then within two minutes Montose had taken the lead - first of all after eighty-four minutes Duffy netted the equalizer, then just two minutes later Barbour scored a decisive second to give his side what had a somewhat unlikely victory on the balance of play overall.
The following week again saw Montrose make a long journey South, this time to face Berwick Rangers at Shielfield.
Montrose made just one change to the side which had won at Palmerston the previous week, Bennett replacing Street at number 10, the latter dropping down to the bench.
Montrose made a bright start, with a spectacular overhead kick from McManus being well saved by the Berwick keeper.
Steedman put his side ahead after ten minutes, heading home in fine style from an Armstrong corner. Boosted by this early goal, the home side kept up the pressure, and were rewarded with a second goal shortly afterwards, with Steedman on target for his and his side's second goal again following an Armstrong corner.
The home side were well on top now, and after twenty-three minutes came a third goal - Armstrong was again the instigator, running forty yards before setting up the chance for O'Hara to score from close range.
Montrose attacked in an attempt to get back into the game, with Neill sending in a shot which was off target. But Berwick managed a further goal three minutes from time when Cannell scored his sides fourth of the game, to send Montrose to their biggest defeat of the season so far.