Montrose fielded a strong starting eleven bearing in mind some were missing because of illness but it also allowed some valuable game time to those coming back from injury, such as Williamson and Quinn. It was a good crowd with a good Montrose.

Referee Josh Hay got it underway in dry conditions as it got colder by the minute. Montrose were first to attack and won three corners in quick succession. The first was fisted over by the Benburb keeper but the second found Quinn at the back post whose  header back across goal was headed home at close range by Ewan Loudon to make it 1-0 after 3 minutes.

The third Montrose corner after 5 minutes also found Aidan Quinn who make no mistake with his header to make it 2-0 after Sandilands sent the ball over again.

Benburb were up against it but soon got into their stride to their credit and took the game to Montrose in a positive manner and only a linesman’s flag prevented them from pulling a goal back on 15 minutes.

Play became more 50/50 but the Mo defence stood up well with Dillon and Quinn well in control. Montrose had more corners but by now Benburb knew what to expect and dealt with them. Half-time and a two goal lead for the Mo.

The second half started with Benburb on the front foot looking to get a goal to make things really interesting but Montrose were having none of it and a third goal came their way on 50 minutes. Webster carved his way down the right and crossed. Loudon almost got a touch but it fell to Blair Lyons at the far post and he tapped it into the net to make it 3-0.

Cue changes for Benburb with a triple change, Collins, Black and Dunsmore replacing Lithgow, Waddell and Kane. 

Montrose kept up the pressure and more corners came to nothing except a Quinn header that was cleared of the line. Loudon was having a good game running well and deserved more. Benburb had two yellow cards but fortunately both Montrose players looked to have recovered but even so changes were expected with being three goals up going into the last 20 minutes.

Webster was replaced by Stevenson on 75 minutes then another yellow for Benburb who had their first corner of the game which Gill gathered cleanly. Williamson and Masson were replaced by Brown and Clark on 81 minutes and Sandilands and Lyons were replaced by youngsters Clelland and McClements. Benburb also made two more changes with Gallagher and Brander replacing McCrone and McDonald. 

Montrose saw the remainder of the game out for a solid 3-0 away win to secure their place in Round 4.

Report by Steve Doyle

Post match reaction https://youtu.be/dtRtgqaOUBA?si=QGqX2NBfp9Tpeeqp