Montrose started this game with a strong line-up who clearly wanted the three points. Despite the statistics of the game Montrose were far the better team on the day. Kelty also tried hard to attack but the Mo defence were equal to all thrown at them.

Referee George Calder got the game underway in foggy but dry conditions but soon the fog disappeared with Quinn clearing a long ball but his equally long ball went out at the far end. 

The first Montrose attack after a few minutes saw a Lyons pass out wide to Steeves but his cross went over the top of Gourlay’s goal. Kelty did the same from a 30-yard free kick with Gill watching it going well over the top.

Then came the first goal on 11 minutes. Ewan Loudon fed Blair Lyons who was in open ground and he progressed 1 on 1 with the keeper who was beaten as the ball found the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to the Mo. 

Loudon was running well and had two shots in the first 20 minutes the first went just wide and the second was pushed away by the keeper. Kelty had their best chance on 20 minutes but Gill saved the day then Quinn did the same a minute later.  Quinn then headed a Montrose corner just wide and from a second corner he also headed it but the keeper saved it. Kelty kept coming down the wings with Graham looking dangerous but lacked threat up top. Masson was yellow carded – it was a foul but surely not a yellow card offence.

Leading up to half-time Montrose kept up the pressure which is the best form of defence. Another Mo corner led to Jack Wyllie deflecting the ball into his own net from close range to make it 2-0 on 39 minutes.

In first-half stoppage time Gill made a fantastic save when Diack should have scored from a few yards out but the half ended with Montrose in a two-goal lead.

For the second half Kelty replaced McCarvel with Paterson and Montrose replaced Masson (who had been yellow carded) with Gus Stevenson who along with Freeman and Sandilands did ever so well in midfield. The latter two have adapted to midfield roles very well indeed and support the front players well.

 In the first attack of the half Montrose were awarded a penalty for a foul on Loudon as Clay was yellow carded, but keeper Gourlay made a good save from Webster’s kick. 

Dillon was yellow carded and he was the one who was fouled first but referee Calder booked Dillon who went for the second ball. Ferguson was yellow carded for a flying tackle on Lyons and from the free-kick the ball eventually found Stevenson who squared it into the edge of the 18-yard area and Callum Sandilands hit it into the net via the post to make it 3 – 0 to the Mo.

Cue changes from Kelty at 0-3 down. On came Thomas for Wyllie as they tried hard to break Montrose down but the back four of the Mo were having none of it and kept it tight. Two Kelty corners created nothing then another change as Murray replaced Moore for Kelty. Montrose then replaced Dillon (who had been yellow carded) with Waddell and Webster was replaced by Gibson on 63 minutes.

Freeman, Sandilands and Stevenson were controlling midfield and a shot from one of them was scrambled away before Kelty made another change with Cooper Masson replacing Arnott and Teasdale replacing Johnston. Brown came on for Lyons who had done his job well then Loudon sustained an injury and had to leave the field with McClements coming on for the last few minutes. 

Sandilands was yellow carded for a tangle as Montrose simply got the ball downfield out of danger and both Gibson and Stevenson got on the end of some and could well have made it count. 

Overall Montrose were clearly the better team on the day and deserved the win. The back four and keeper Gill were superb and the youngsters along with Masson in midfield provided the management team with confidence ongoing with the up top players being much better supported. 

Attendance 334

Report by Steve Doyle

Post match reaction https://youtu.be/w3p1f2Y386o?si=tqUa8GEFgADo9kE9