Match Report

Montrose completed a miserable week for Annan Athletic on Tuesday evening when they grabbed the points in a match which swung one way then the other before the visitors  substitute Michael Bolochowecky  was at hand to slot home the winning goal in the 87^th minute form an inviting low cross sent in from the right from full back Cammy Ballantyne.

It was a highly entertaining game for those who braved the cold wet evening for this re-arranged league match. It was a game which saw the visitors sweep into a 2 goal lead in the opening 27 minutes before Annan staged a remarkable come back to level the match after Adam Asghar was sent off on the 72^nd minute and with the snow starting to cover the pitch Montrose scored a late winner after Annan were reduced to 9 men after Steven Swinglehurst had to leave the field with a nasty head injury.

Annan missed a golden opportunity to go ahead in the 15^th minute when Steven Bronsky making his debut for Annan rose to head Ramsay’s free kick just wide of the post when it appeared he only needed to head it on target to get the reward.

Montrose went ahead in the 23^rd minute after they were awarded a free kick 24yards out and from the resulting kick Iain Campbell shot beat keeper Blair Currie who appeared to be beaten by the swerve of the ball. It was a disappointing goal for Annan to lose but they fell further behind in the 27^th minute when Paul Watson headed home from two yards from an Iain Campbell corner kick.

Annan responded in the 30^th minute when Rabin Omar was fouled 28 yards out and Darren Ramsay scored with a superbly taken free kick which soared into the top corner of the net past keeper Allan Fleming. Minutes later Max Wright struck a beautiful shot which went narrowly past the post. Montrose finished the half with a shot from Graham Webster which tested Blair Currie when he pushed the shot for a corner kick.

Annan started the second half with more intensity and the Montrose goal was under almost constant pressure. Swinglehurst was denied by a goal mouth clearance in the 60^th minute; this was followed up by a Ramsay effort which cannoned off the top of the post. Aiden Smith then blasted over the bar before Adam Asghar was sent off for leading into a challenge with his elbow high. However lady luck was on Annan’s side in the 69^th minute when Ryan Finnie’s low shot from 24 yards deflected off an attempted clearance by Iain Campbell which gave keeper Allan Fleming no chance.

It was very much game on as Annan continued to attack the Montrose goal but they could not find the opening before fate once again intervened when Watson and Swinglehurst collided with the latter having to leave the field with concussion and a cut head and before substitute Callum Home could come on Montrose scored the winning goal as a result of a slick move down the right ending with Bolochowecky slipping Ballantyne’s cross into the net.

It was a sickening goal for Annan to lose especially after they had fought back from a terrible start to the match, on another night they could have won it. The defeat however leaves Annan in a precarious position and with the match against the rejuvenated bottom of the table Edinburgh City this Saturday it is a match which takes on even greater significance.

ANNAN ATHLETIC: Blair Currie, Jean Guy Lucas, Steven Swinglehurst (Callum Home 88 min), Ryan Sinnamon, Steven Bronsky, Adam Asghar, Rabin Omar, Ryan Finnie, Aiden Smith, Max Wright (Peter Watson 75 min), Darren Ramsay (David McKenna 88 min). Substitute’s not used Alex Mitchell, Raffi Krissian, Stephen Bronsky, Tony Riberio, Prezmyslaw Dachnowiwicz.

MONTROSE: Allan Fleming, Callum Ballantyne, Iain Campbell, Tory Mason, Gregor Anderson, Andy Steeves, Paul Watson (Jonny Court 85 min), Kieran McWalter (Michael Bolochowecky 46 min), Gary Fraser, Ross Campbell (Chris Templeton 72 min), Graham Webster. SUBS NOT USED: Ryan Ferguson, Ross Lennie, Greg Pascazion, Jordan Miller GK.

Referee Gavin Duncan    Assistants  Graeme McNellie and Ryan Oliver.         Attendance 326