Today we make the 163 mile, 3 hour journey north to Links Park for our first game in Montrose in this save.
We are really struggling for form and cohesion currently, so I’m going to go with a 4-1-2-3 to try to get our best players involved.
Just really had a complete lack of highlights in the last couple of games – I want Davidson in the team – Where we fit Gerry Martin I don’t know currently. And I think Dow and MacIver are going to need a few games to get into the swing of things, so it may be lose a few more to win in the longer term.
Before then our U18’s beat Creetown Res 5-0 (Goals from 18yo DL John Graham, 17yo DR Gary Fletcher, Jack Leitch and 2 from Sean Slaven.
And our Reserves beat Brechin Res 3-1, goals from George Mitchell and a brace from Gerry Martin (playing as a striker). Thomas Dempsie picked up a pulled groin – 3-4 Days.
Montrose are currently in 8th and have not won in 8 games, drawing 5 of those. We were OK until the Stenhousemuir game, but everything has felt a bit of a struggle so far this season – maybe its promotion catching up with the boy, plus all the new faces meaning team cohesion is taking a while to increase.
So the wingers are going to get a good chance at it – I feel the width might be key. Not decided about the striker – might be Martin, Mitchell ot Slaven. The centre mid looks fairly settled – Palmer & Davidson are the best on paper, and Turner makes a fine DM. We have 2 from 4 for the centre-backs and the wing-backs are pretty set, though Lewis Faulds will be snapping at Mackie’s heels. Lastly Allison is getting antsy so he may need some game-time in goal,. though on paper Sinclair is far better. Montrose go with a 4-2-3-1, the mirror ours so man-for-man.
FT Montrose 1 (Fotheringham 90+1) Berwick 4 (Dow 16, 61, Palmer 59, Davidson pen 90+2) Att 556 (68 Away)
Its a dry November afternoon on the Angus coastline, and Berwick start OK, and take the lead in the 16th minute. A clearance by the Montrose Keeper is met well, headed back to Slaven by Maguire. Slaven lays off to MacIver, who dinks a cross to the back post. Dow, in acres, heads in well. 1-0 Berwick. Good start! Andy Turner then takes a knock on the ankle – he’ll be coming off at half Time. We go in 1-0 to the good.
Leitch on for Turner, BWM(D) in the centre of a midfield 3. We should have gone 2-0 up in the 52nd, Slaven dispossessing the Montrose centre back after a short pass from the Keeper, but he hits it straight at said keeper with the goal at his mercy… we definitely look better going forward though. And we go 2-0 up in the 59th minute. Leitch passes out to MacIver, who crosses, hits it straight off of the arse of the Montrose left-back, straight into the path of Palmer, who fires home from just inside the box. A little bit fortunate, but we’ll take it!! Subbage, Faulds for Mackie. You know I said it was dry, not any more, stair-rods 🙂 And we get our 3rd less than 2 minutes later, Davidson with an audacious cross, almost unsighted over his left shoulder, straight to Dow who volleys his second of the game from just inside the 6 yard box. Nice. 75 gone, Slaven looking tired, McGinn coming on. And we’re going for 4!! Montrose have gone 4-3-3 – a bit late I feel. And we are breaking really well from their attacks because of it. Montrose get their goal in injury time – Fotheringham with the finish after a quick break, with a distinct touch of offside about it. But the goals may not be finished. 2nd minute of injury time, a cross from Dunsmore, and Palmer is adjudged to have been pushed. Davidson steps up… and scores the penalty to make it 4-1. And that’s how it finished. Much, much better.
Back up to 4th; we need to keep pace with the top 3 and Airdrie.
ANDY TURNER – Bruised Ankle – 1-2 Days. No problem at all, a day off of training, no more.
Next up in 2 weeks in-game is our Scottish Cup 3rd round versus Edinburgh City – I’d like to get a few rounds in, maybe get a Celtic or Rangers away for another pay day, that would be immense. See you soon.