Several Mo players were missing for this opening pre-season fixture, such as keeper Gill and it was Campbell Miller in goal with a solid back line of Williamson, Quinn, Waddell and Steeves with the other 6 being Masson, Lyons, and new signings Loudon, Clark, Wighton and Freeman.

The game started on a sunny, dry day but with a strong wind which Montrose faced in the first half. Decent crowd for a pre-season game with good support for the Mo.

Forfar were first to attack as our keeper Millar saved and pushed it for a corner which came to nothing. The next move saw a corner to Montrose which also came to nothing then a free kick to the Mo which was headed wide. A long ball from Quinn found Wighton, who fed Lyons who shot over the top with new signing Ewan Loudon waiting for the cross.

Forfar were having good possession and had a good spell midway in the first half with several shots one of which hit the post and 4 corners at least. The Mo back line kept their shape however leading up to half-time 0-0 with a yellow card for Freeman after two earlier warnings.

Changes were expected especially in midfield where Montrose lacked control though Masson did well, but no changes were made until around 60 minutes. On 46 minutes with the wind Loudon shot from 20 yards but the Forfar keeper saved. On 55 minutes Forfar made 5 changes with Cannon, Rodden, Mailer and 2 trialists coming on. Forfar wasted another corner then on 60 minutes Montrose made 5 changes with Shrive, Webster, Brown, Machado and Bertie on. Off went Williamson, Wighton, Waddell, Masson and Freeman.

Captain Steeves moved to centre-back to replace Waddell with Bertie covering left back. Craig Brown showed promise straightaway with a 40 yarder which just flew over the top. Then the first goal came along on 71 minutes. Ali Shrive hit the ball from 20 yards and it hit the post but it rebounded against the Forfar keeper and was labelled an own goal but from a Mo point of view it was Shrives goal.

On 75 minutes Montrose made several more changes with Fraser Donaldson, Owen Emslie and Harry Craig coming on to replace Lyons, Quinn and Steeves. That meant all our back line was gone and Forfar took advantage of that. On 77 minutes they equalised from a corner which was headed in by their trialist 6 with no challenge from the Mo defence.

The last 10 minutes were 50/50 with Forfar making more changes, a couple of corners to each side and a goal ruled offside for Montrose as the clocked over and ended the game 1-1.

Report by Steve Doyle

Pic courtesy of Forfar Athletic FC