A little less than 17 hours after their second match of pre-season ended, Montrose travelled south to face local rivals Arbroath in a Testimonial for their long serving defender Ricky Little.

Michael Gardyne got the game underway at a sun kissed but typically windy Gayfield.

It didn’t take long for the first action of the match as Craig Batchelor came close to his second Montrose goal in as many days when he poked a Graham Webster through ball just wide after 6 minutes.

Matheus Machado showed his defensive side after quarter of an hour using his body effectively to deflect an effort from new Arbroath winger Mark Stowe wide of the goal. Soon after Stowe came close again but his effort didn’t bother Cammy Gill, who was making his return to Gayfield in the net for Montrose.

On the 22nd minute, Machado returned to a more natural attacking position with a bit of trickery on the left wing resulting in a perfect cross that was headed just over the bar by Batchelor.

Ten minutes later Batchelor made it third time lucky when after a near one-two with Michael Gardyne he raced clear of the Arbroath defence and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner past Derek Gaston in front of the Montrose fans occupying the Pleasureland end.

Montrose went on to dominate the last 15 minutes of the half with the two best chances falling to the experienced Paul Watson and Terry Masson. Watson saw an effort from roughly 25 yards fly just over the bar and Masson was clear through on goal, but his powerful shot was well saved by Gaston at his near post.

At half time Stewart Petrie swapped the impressive Craig Batchelor with Kane Hester.

The hosts started the second half stronger and on 50 minutes scored an equaliser from a corner courtesy of a powerful header by Ricky Little on his special day.

The second half turned into a typical friendly, shown by the number of substitutions. Particularly the home side who were keen to see the trialists they had on the bench in action.

Earlier Montrose substitutions saw Craig Brown and Ali Shrive replace Ryan Williamson and Paul Watson but the pivotal change for the Mo came on the 70th minute when Callum Grant came on for Matheus Machado.

Less than a minute later the local teen Grant made an instant impact as he poked the ball under the keeper to give Montrose the lead with his first senior goal.

The rest of the match was very competitive particularly in the midfield where Terry Masson was strolling it for the Mighty Mo.

4 minutes before the end Craig Brown played a fantastic ball over the top to Kane Hester who saw off the challenge of Tam O’Brien and cut the ball back to Grant who slotted the ball in with his left foot to all but confirm the victory!

Just before full time the Mo made their final change as Luca Giacomini replaced Michael Gardyne.

A minute or so later the full-time whistle blew and Montrose had won their first match of pre-season. Special mention must go to local teen Callum Grant, who lived the dream of many a young Mo fan by inspiring a victory against Arbroath at Gayfield.

Report by Blair Ruxton

Pic by Phoenix Photography