Match Report

Annan are still looking for their first away victory of the new season, after getting off to a flier in this game going 2 goals up in the first seven minutes, they could not put the game to bed and Montrose after a disappointing first half had squared the match by the 62nd minute and in the end both teams had to be satisfied with a point each. It was a game very much of 2 halves with Annan dominating the first half and Montrose reversing the situation particularly in the opening 30 minutes of the second half when they had Annan very much on the back foot.

Annan got off to the perfect start, opening the account with their first serious attack in the 3rd minute, it was a well worked goal which saw Max Wright releasing the ball into the path of Darren Ramsay who’s precise low shot was perfectly placed past the out stretched left hand of keeper Allan Fleming. Annan’s purple patch continued and in the 7th minute they doubled their lead from a corner out on the left when Ramsay’s near post corner kick was flicked into the bottom corner of the net form 6 yards.

Montrose after this dread full start managed to get their game together and although neither keeper was really tested for the remainder of the half there were half chances. Paul Watson finished a promising build up with a low raking shot which went narrowly past the post.

In the 18th minute Graham Webster blasted over the bar with a long range shot, Annan responded in the 39th minute when Rabin Omar squandered a good opportunity after keeper Allan Fleming’s mistimed clearance was picked up by Omar who’s effort went past the keepers left hand post. This was followed minutes later by a Barry Cuddihy effort which was well saved by keeper Fleming.

After a disappointing first half Montrose rearranged their format and they started the second half with far more determination and the home team started to impose their authority on the game forcing Annan to defend in numbers. Montrose were soon rewarded in the 54th minute when their trialist centre half headed home at the back post from Masson’s cross, however it was an unfortunate goal for Annan to concede after the ball came off Watsons head straight into the path of the Montrose player who made no mistake from 6 yards. Annan were struggling to contain the home team who moved forward in attacking wave after wave and in the 57th minute Montrose were unfortunate not to square the game when a well constructed move down the right ended with a weak shot from man of the match Terry Masson going straight into the arms of keeper Currie.

Annan’s resolve however was broken again in the 62nd minute and once again it was a ball played in from Masson wide on the right which caused the danger and with space to pick his header Gary Fraser guided the ball into the top corner of the net to give Blair Currie no chance. The home team had the bit between their teeth and Annan did well stem the flow and gradually they worked their way back into the match.

Steven Black was denied a penalty when the Montrose trialist centre half almost caught the ball to deny substitute Aiden Smith but both the officials failed to notice the blatant hand ball. It was a fortunate break for the Montrose, Annan however were starting to look more of a threat with the pace of substitute Aiden Smith a constant threat for the Montrose defence.

Rabin Omar’s rasping shot in the 67th minute was tipped over the bar by Fleming and from the resulting corner Blacks back post header was cleared off the goal line. It was a narrow escape for the home team and it marked best of the scoring opportunities.

In the end both teams had to be content with a point, Annan will look back on the game as one they had within their grasp but the home team responded well to the challenge and deserved to take something out of the game for a much approved second half performance.

MONTROSE :Allan Fleming, Kieran McWalter, Iain Campbell, Michael Bolochowecky, Trialist, Andrew Masson, Graham Webster. SUBS NOT USED: Gregor Anderson, Kyllie Willox, Kyle McLeod, Greg Pascazion, Jordan Miller GK.

Montrose Goals- Trialist (54) Fraser (63)

ANNAN ATHLETIC : Blair Currie, Steven Black, Jean Guy Lucas , Raffi Krissian, Peter Watson, Barry Cuddihy, Rabine Omar, Ryan Finnie, David McKenna ( Aiden Smith 60 min), Max Wright, Darren Ramsay .Subtitutes not used Alex Mitchell, Adam ashgar, Aaron Bradbury, Steven Swinglehurst, Prem Dachnowicz, Liam Park.

Annan Goals- Ramsay (2) Wright  (7)

REFEREE: Scott Millar.

Attendance 340