Johnston grabs winner against Rovers in Cup

By Gary McKenzie
August 6 2002

Montrose progress to the Second Round of the Challenge Cup after a hard-fought victory against Albion Rovers at Links Park. Grant Johnston scores the winner.

Both teams started at a frenetic pace, but it was Montrose who settled first and made a number of chances, hitting the bar, but couldn't open the scoring and the game was goalless at half-time.

Montrose began the second half in much the same fashion, but midway through, Albion made a tactical change, bringing on 2 substitutes and pushing up to a 3-4-3 formation. Sheran countered by bringing on Stuart Ferguson for the limping Chris Webster and changing Montrose to a 3-5-2 set up, with McKinnon playing just in front of the midfield. Rovers new attacking game was short-lived and Montrose turned the screw, taking the lead with a superbly worked goal. On 78 minutes, Grant Johnston and Colin 'Coco' McDonald exchanged passes midway into Albion's half and carried on with another 1-2 at the edge of the box. Grant Johnston strolled through the stranded Albion defence to slot the ball past the diving keeper. The Montrose support erupted with delight. Montrose's defence coped well with the inevitable pressure which followed and even hit the bar again. The team can be proud of a fine all-round performance against one of the division's better sides. McDonald was my man of the match for his hard work coming back to get the ball, holding it up well and playing some lovely passes.

Mo team

McGlynn
McCheyne
Robertson
Gibson
Conway
McQuillan
Johnston
Kevin Webster (s. Brand)
McKinnon (s. Leask)
McDonald
Chris Webster (s. Ferguson)

Our neighbours had mixed fortunes:

Elgin 1 Brechin 4
Arbroath 0 Forfar 2

but spare a thought for East Stirling who were thumped 7-0 by St Mirren. We obviously softened them up on Saturday...!