Neither side could qualify for the next round of the League Cup so both sides fielded starting elevens which are unlikely for the first league games next week. In Montrose’s case missing were Waddell, Gill and Williamson and Dillon was on the coaching staff. On the subs bench were lads like Steeves, Webster, Loudon, Brown and Shrives. Dundee had only around 5 of their expected line up for next week.

Referee was Duncan Nicolson who was about to give plenty of exercise to his yellow cards. Dundee kicked off and a poor clearance by Montrose almost gifted them a goal but it was scrambled away. In the attack at the other end Lyons sped down the left and fed it to Bertie whose shot from 15 yards was blocked.

 In the next move Dundee scored from a penalty for a trip in the area – Simon Murray stepped up and made it 1-0 after 3 minutes. Not a good start for a very young Montrose side and Dundee followed up with three corners all of which were hit long and wasted.

The game then settled down after 15 minutes but referee Nicolson yellow carded Lyons then Smith for fouls albeit not intentional. The first Dundee yellow card went to Galabov for a foul and the free kick led to the first Montrose corner which was headed away but crossed again and Quinn headed just wide on full stretch.

On 30 minutes Dundee hit a long ball to a player who looked clearly offside but it was not given as the cross went across goal with no takers. Another corner to Montrose as Lyons was causing problems for the Dee defence was headed away up field but offside was given that time.

Coming up to half-time and Freeman was yellow carded, again it was a free kick but no way intentional for the youngster and another yellow was aimed at the Montrose bench so 4 yellows to the Mo in the first half which ended 1-0 to the Dee.

Second half saw Dundee make 2 changes with Astley and Digby on for Jones and Galabov. 

Dundee made it 2-0 in the 47^th minute basically from a Montrose attack but a loose ball was swept quickly forward and Simon Murray hit it past Aaron Clark at full speed.

Machado was fouled just outside the box but the free kick was cleared easily then a fifth yellow card to Montrose as Clark hit the back of a Dundee player.

60 minutes gone so the Mo made changes. On came Steeves who replaced Smith at centre back who was fitting in well alongside Quinn. Smith’s height was then missed but Steeve’s experience was needed at the time. Also coming on were Brown and Webster who replaced Machado and Clark.

With more up top Montrose were more threatening, Lyons and Wighton were still on and now being helped by Webster and Brown providing a better shape. On 71 minutes Loudon came on for Freeman to give the Mo attacking threat and for Dee Robertson came on for Yogane then Ingram came on for Murray. 

Masson was injured so came off as a precaution and was replaced by Bradford but it left Montrose with not a lot in defence and Dundee made the most of it with 3 more goals in the last 10 minutes, all from set pieces which were not challenged – Robertson, Astley and Graham were the scorers.

The final score of 5-0 was perhaps credit to Dundee who put more experience on in the last half hour as the Mo defence struggled but, in a spell, midway through the second half Montrose might well have scored and the final result would have not been so one sided.

Montrose can take negatives from this game but there were also positives which the coaching staff will hopefully make use of for next week in the first league one game away at Hamilton.

Attendance 1,808

Report by Steve Doyle

Post match reaction https://youtu.be/02hpzz4x6Zs?si=mIPQoX0N35xsyklZ