Montrose put on a good display in front of a decent away following on a dry sunny day with little wind. The Mo had Terry Masson back in the starting line-up and he makes such a difference along with Cammy Gill in goal, Ryan Williamson, Sean Dillon, Blair McKenzie and Andy Steeves in the back four, Graham Webster, Kane Hester and Blair Lyons up top with Michael Gardyne and Craig Brown alongside Terry Masson in midfield.

Referee Gavin Duncan started the game with Cammy Gill facing into the sun but it was Montrose who had the first real attack when Webby was fouled going forward but the free-kick was cleared. Kelty hit back quickly with Scott Williamson at speed but even his pace was not enough for the overhit ball.

End to end as Montrose won a corner as a Webby cross was deflected but nothing came of it. Williamson showed his pace again for Kelty who were attacking in numbers but his shot was high and wide. Kelty had a corner but it was played short and it resulted in an offside flag all still in the first 10 minutes.

Gardyne found Lyons with a through ball but the offside flag was shown again then our own Williamson, Ryan ploughed his way down the right but his cross was just too high.

The first goal looked likely from either side as Kelty’s Williamson got on the end of a through ball but the alert Gill was quickly off the mark and got to it first. Another corner for the Mo and the first yellow card was shown at Kelty’s Johnston for a foul but it looked to be not deliberate. Kelty’s Williamson was causing problems with his speed but his cross found no takers keeping up with him.

Then Montrose should have scored. Hester was brought down in the area but Webster’s well hit shot was equally well saved by keeper Adams on 30 minutes. 

Masson was yellow carded then Hester shot from 30 yards but the keeper held it. Hester was causing problems for Kelty and a second penalty was inches away but the free-kick was right on the edge of the area. It was hit well and Lyons was on hand to finish it off but was given offside and the only outcome was another yellow card for the foul and given to Kelty’s Ross Cunningham.

No changes to start the second half but the sides were well matched and the game could go either way. Play was again end to end but Montrose looked a wee bit sharper second half so Kelty made the first two changes. On came Owens for MacIntyre then McCarvel replaced Cole.

Montrose also made a change with Webster being replaced by Matheus Machado on 62 minutes and it took young Machado only a few minutes to make his mark by scoring the first goal. Lyons set up Steeves down the left and his cross was half cleared but there was Matheus Machado to hit it hard and low into the net on 68 minutes to make it 1-0 to the Mo.

Work to do now for Kelty but Montrose kept their shape in defence with all of them doing their jobs well. Lyons was replaced by McIvor-Redwood on 70 minutes but Blair had done well and young Ben McIvor-Redwood was about to do the same. Kelty made another change with Mercer replaced by Thomas but it was the second Mo substitute who made his mark by scoring the second goal of the game. A cross from the left following a free-kick was met by Ben McIvor-Redwood whose header went in off the underside of the crossbar to make it 2-0 on 74 minutes. 

Kelty still had plenty of possession but their changes were not as profitable as those of Montrose but the Mo had a let off as Kelty hit the post before it was hacked away to safety. Kelty tried hard but too hard for referee Gavin Duncan who yellow carded O’Ware who was red carded moments later for another foul. Shrive replaced Brown on 84 minutes and as the clock wound down three more Mo changes brought Watson and Hannah on for Steeves and Masson. 

Watson was almost immediately yellow carded before he got his timing right but Montrose kept the ball down the park and saw out the stoppage time for a 2-0 win which took them into second place in League 1.

Overall it was a great team effort on the day against a decent Kelty team who themselves had done well and we could see why. Credit to Montrose however as the changes were all well timed and the points well deserved.

Report by Steve Doyle.

Pic by Phoenix Photography

Post Match Reaction https://youtu.be/kT3DKNbOlLg?si=EyVciLsOwl9OpB3f