Ramsdens Cup: Montrose 4-2 Inverurie Locos
By John Innes:Inverurie Loco Works saw their short stay in the Ramsdens Challenge Cup come to an end at rainy Montrose as they went out despite taking a first half lead and controlling the game for spells in the
first half.
first half.
The Garioch side had warmed up for the game on artificial surface Links Park by playing Banks O’dee in midweek but both sides at times found their footing difficult with the heavy rain showers making it a miserable day for spectating
After the match Montrose boss Stuart Garden said: “I wasn’t particularly worried after losing the goal. I knew there was plenty time to get into the game, I think the ball moved about a bit in the air.
"Martin Boyle and Garry Wood got a goal each but have so much more to give. And a good free kick from Paul Watson, hopefully the first of many. Our trialists also looked lively but we need to bring a few more players in.
"We want to get a bit of momentum to take into the League campaign."
After a quiet spell, it was Locos who dramatically grabbed the lead on the quarter hour mark. Neil McLean, playing wide right in a four man midfield, pinpointed Stuart McKay with his pass collected on the right side 22 yards out. Kaiser controlled the ball well and fired a rising effort which went fizzing through keeper Sandy Wood.
The Gable Endies were stunned but wasted no time in getting back into the tie. Scott Johnston cut in from the left onto his right foot, Stewart Gray clutching at the second attempt.
In 27 minutes the scores were level. A dubious free kick was awarded 20 yards from Gray’s goal. Ex Peterhead man Paul Watson stepped up ominously and took his time before curling left footed round the wall. Gray dived full stretch to his left but the ball crept in at his left post.
Busy midfielder Terry Masson was next to try his luck but his long ranger was easily clutched by Gray while at the other end Clark Bain lofted the ball over the home defence, McKay coming in at the back post but just failing to connect.
Half time had come and gone at 1-1 and a fair outcome at that stage. However the homesters started off at high pace, in 49 minutes after an interchange of passes the ever dangerous Martin Boyle
saw his snapshot pushed round the post. Gray then had to be alert again pushing Boyle’s downward header from the corner over the bar.
Both Kieran Adams and ex Ross County forward Garry Wood were extremely fortunate to avoid punishment as they grappled on the ground. In their favour was the fact the referee had already blown, yet it it didn’t stop both players taking a follow up kick at each other, unseen.
Captain Steven Park came close to putting his side back in front, accepting a pass from the left, his thunderbolt right footer hitting the top of the crossbar and the following up John Maitland bulleting the rebound well over.
On the hour though, Montrose 2-1 Martin Boyle left unmarked at the back post and finding the net
with his downward header from Johnston’s inswinger.
Six minutes later Garry Wood made it 3-1. Gray and Ryan Broadhurst got in a fankle, the keeper
trying to blast the ball away, instead Boyle controlled the spinning ball and Wood only had to roll it home.
Wood was certainly now getting into the swing of the game and when he took a ball away that Spider Stewart was tring to lay off for Simon Scott, the No 10 weaved his way into the box but chipped narrowly over.
With ten minutes left another calamity was punished again. This time Adams clattered Boyle and a certain penalty was on for being awarded but the play carried on and Terry Masson slipped the loose ball home.
Jack Strachan, on as a sub for Andy Bagshaw, rolled the ball under Sandy Wood in 87 minutes from
fellow newcomer Scott Begg’s precise pass and it could have been 4-3 when Marc Young pinpointed Stuart McKay from the right . McKay’s header looked like hanging in mid air before again coming off the top of the woodwork.
It all came to an end with the right team winning the game but with tighter defending and a little bit of better luck, the result could have been different.
"Martin Boyle and Garry Wood got a goal each but have so much more to give. And a good free kick from Paul Watson, hopefully the first of many. Our trialists also looked lively but we need to bring a few more players in.
"We want to get a bit of momentum to take into the League campaign."
After a quiet spell, it was Locos who dramatically grabbed the lead on the quarter hour mark. Neil McLean, playing wide right in a four man midfield, pinpointed Stuart McKay with his pass collected on the right side 22 yards out. Kaiser controlled the ball well and fired a rising effort which went fizzing through keeper Sandy Wood.
The Gable Endies were stunned but wasted no time in getting back into the tie. Scott Johnston cut in from the left onto his right foot, Stewart Gray clutching at the second attempt.
In 27 minutes the scores were level. A dubious free kick was awarded 20 yards from Gray’s goal. Ex Peterhead man Paul Watson stepped up ominously and took his time before curling left footed round the wall. Gray dived full stretch to his left but the ball crept in at his left post.
Busy midfielder Terry Masson was next to try his luck but his long ranger was easily clutched by Gray while at the other end Clark Bain lofted the ball over the home defence, McKay coming in at the back post but just failing to connect.
Half time had come and gone at 1-1 and a fair outcome at that stage. However the homesters started off at high pace, in 49 minutes after an interchange of passes the ever dangerous Martin Boyle
saw his snapshot pushed round the post. Gray then had to be alert again pushing Boyle’s downward header from the corner over the bar.
Both Kieran Adams and ex Ross County forward Garry Wood were extremely fortunate to avoid punishment as they grappled on the ground. In their favour was the fact the referee had already blown, yet it it didn’t stop both players taking a follow up kick at each other, unseen.
Captain Steven Park came close to putting his side back in front, accepting a pass from the left, his thunderbolt right footer hitting the top of the crossbar and the following up John Maitland bulleting the rebound well over.
On the hour though, Montrose 2-1 Martin Boyle left unmarked at the back post and finding the net
with his downward header from Johnston’s inswinger.
Six minutes later Garry Wood made it 3-1. Gray and Ryan Broadhurst got in a fankle, the keeper
trying to blast the ball away, instead Boyle controlled the spinning ball and Wood only had to roll it home.
Wood was certainly now getting into the swing of the game and when he took a ball away that Spider Stewart was tring to lay off for Simon Scott, the No 10 weaved his way into the box but chipped narrowly over.
With ten minutes left another calamity was punished again. This time Adams clattered Boyle and a certain penalty was on for being awarded but the play carried on and Terry Masson slipped the loose ball home.
Jack Strachan, on as a sub for Andy Bagshaw, rolled the ball under Sandy Wood in 87 minutes from
fellow newcomer Scott Begg’s precise pass and it could have been 4-3 when Marc Young pinpointed Stuart McKay from the right . McKay’s header looked like hanging in mid air before again coming off the top of the woodwork.
It all came to an end with the right team winning the game but with tighter defending and a little bit of better luck, the result could have been different.
Locos co-boss Scott Buchan said afterwards: “We’re disappointed as we didn’t show what we’re capable of and fitness told. The Montrose forwards were very good but despite four goals
lost our centre halves actually did well.
lost our centre halves actually did well.
"Collectively as a team the second and third goals lost were bad but you have to learn as a team. We were delighted to get this game in pre-season. There are no complaints, Montrose’s artificial pitch was slick, the rain helped it".
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