Mo-time

indeed, tight and nervous. The Mo have been in three out of the last four Championship playoff semi-finals. Lost them all on aggregate, but have so far always won the first leg at Links Park: QoS (championship) 2:1 Morton (championship) 2:1 Airdrie (league one) 1:0 I'm not tempting fate or anything.

What size of Away support (including Smokies) should we be expecting on a Tuesday night ?

At least Annan keep on the front foot and go for a win, unlike other 'shitfest' teams that I could mention....

The flick on (by Webster I understand) not in the Highlights ?

Great to see Gardyne scoring from a direct free kick. We have been crying out for someone to doing that regularly so hope that he can kick on ! Last person who could do it (very occasionally) was Martin Rennie ? I have a memory that Jamie Winter used to score from them frequently, but that a few years ago now and the stats may not back me up.

Good times at moment, although it is fair to say that our squad seems down to the bare bones (with everyone absolutely playing their part). I saw that Miller Thomson started for DU on Saturday - at right back. United fans also saying that Declan Glass may be going out on loan.....

Dillon on bench along with our other two 'experienced' players, Michael Gardyne and Paul Watson. All rested for Queens away this weekend. Harry Craig out of our Academy plays, no. 20, only 16 years old but handy as a ball winner in midfield.

Hang on, we have to play Falkirk away first (Tuesday). Going to be quite challenging for us playing 3 games in 7 days, we'll be knackered after playing on Falkirk's large pitch, also given that we have Dillon (40), Gardyne (37?) and Watson (37?) all been playing regularly as starters. So should be a good game !

That little prediction came true. Have to say that CJ had a good second half, his two goals were tap-ins but he was in the right place and gave Dillo and co a torrid time all half. There was also a great save by Cammy Gill at 2-2 which seemed to galvanise the Mo and we scored our third soon after.

Great that the Mo are 2-0 up. Not an entirely convincing performance though. Both sides have had long periods of possession without really threatening in the final third, and the two Montrose goals have come out of nothing much with only a few other chances for either side. Graham Webster playing as lone striker. Maybe see Hester / Batchelor later in second half and it would be great for either of them to squeeze out a goal and get them going again. The Mo will need to watch out in second half, Kelty have looked semi-dangerous at times and the midfield seems pretty open.

Also greatly looking forward to and let's hope for a decent home crowd for this one. A chance for a third win in a row and to break away from the group below and (hopefully) set up the race for 3rd and 4th with just Cove and Alloa. Seems like a season-defining moment. And same for Kelty too. As Brummo says, the fact that Alloa and Cove are playing each other today adds spice. Montrose to win, but CJ to score ?

Sure, frustrated because I had just traveled 2.5 hours to see that happen after 10 mins. The first goal was always going to be crucial. You did say yourself above that it was a bit harsh to concede a penalty for that type of incident. There were 2 or 3 things going on in the box at the time and for the referee to pick on that one, well I am just saying that the referee could have let it go and I don't think you would be complaining massively, probably not even a talking point. Best of luck to Morton in the next round(s).

Don't you just hate Scottish football - a semi-interesting tie and the referee gives the softest penalty ever to the clear favourites within 10 minutes. Morton seem quite happy to sit on a 1-0 lead. Next goal with be crucial, either going to be 4-0 to Morton or 1-2 win to Montrose.

All done - many thanks.

Was going to buy a couple of tickets online, but it seems only possible to buy them for 'Home Main Stand' - will there only be one side of the ground open ? At least 2 x supporters' buses from Montrose, which is a lot for us !

Ragged from Montrose in the second half, never got going and overran in midfield for the first 20 minutes. Stirling played quite well, do they really need all the shitfest stuff, about 10 times players went down rolling, clutching body parts. Last team like that was that awful Dumbarton team that went down.

The Mo looking the livelier for the first 15 minutes and then it settled out a bit more even, but with the Mo having at least a couple of very clear cut chances saved by Currie. Paul Watson looking particularly dangerous and thirsty for a goal. Mo playing quite a bit of high ball to Hermiston which is not really working (shades of McAllister). But when Hermiston does get the ball he has linked quite well with Blair Lyons. Too cold to write any more....

Saw that Miller Thomson is away back to Dundee United, which is a pity. Great close control, ability to beat multiple defenders, it seemed he was building up a rivalry with Blair Lyons as to who could beat most defenders on one run. Also saw his goal at Edinburgh City where he raced from half way line to slot cooly past the gk, showing pace and great composure. I note from the DU P&B site that (i) he is injured at moment and (ii) if DU buy another striker this window (??) then he will likely be sent back to us at the end of the window because he is not allowed to play anywhere else. Good luck to the team today at Annan - never been there, it just seems too far away.....

Montrose were right up for the game after the poor performance last week. Scored the early goal and then were happy to soak up any pressure from Kelly, who were not really that troublesome, apart from a sitter missed just before Half Time. Strong squad effort, everyone played well. Top marks for the defensive trio of Dillon, Quinn and (last but not least) Graham.

How about the stand that has been built at Stockbridge (but no seats ever put in) ? I think it was built for Edinburgh rugby when they decided Murrayfield was too big for them, but then instead put up a stand at 'little Murrayfield'

Will the Mo be playing against Lewis Milne ?

Given that Stirling have lost their last six matches and only scored 10 goals in the League, we can indeed hope for win ! Let's go for third clean sheet in a row. But we might be a bit tired after Sat / Tues exertions ?

I think that Petrie still has too much of a project to complete at Montrose, wanting to go the next step and to try to replicate what Arbroath have done in the Chanpionship. Seems a strong ambition and not yet time to give up on that, especially his current Montrose team is being put through a 'transition' phase, some of the older players being phased out, and new blood being found for the next big push. Could not make it, how did we play yesterday ? Comprehensive victory by the end and that is now 13 goals scored against EC this season in 3 games.

Since the Mo lost to Cove in August, we have only lost in the League to Hamilton (twice) and Falkirk (just). On that basis, and given that the team will be wanting to atone for an under-par performance vs Annan on Saturday, I'm going for either a draw or (hopeful) away win. Also expect to see some/all of the 'rested' players back in the side - Dillon, Brown and maybe Webster.

What do I know, no early subs and the Mo came out like a rocket and proceeded to play at frenetic pace all half. Probably a bit too frenetic, chasing the game. Equalising with 15 mins to go, fully expected them to go on to win but they slightly ran out of puff and nothing really came off for our 'skill' players. A draw seems a fair result given the mirror of the two half's. BBC website summed it up: HT: Mo 3 shots, Annan 10 shots FT: Mo 15 shots, Annan 12 shots Shout-out to Annan for making it a good game with strong performances from Luissant, Smith and Willie Gibson who ran their show from central midfield.