Reaction

Saturday again proved that there as certainly no easy games in Division Three, “The Wasps” travelled to Links Park for their 1st competitive game since April, 1998 to visit a ground where Alloa Athletic had not lost since October, 1988. Paul Hartley’s team started well and both Graeme holmes and Kevin Cawley had early chances to put the visitors ahead. However, once again Alloa did not put enough pressure on the opposition keeper with players looking reluctant to shoot at goal. Montrose took the lead with one of their first attacks of the game, after Alloa had failed to clear their lines. In the second period again Alloa had a lot of possesion but only two great saves from Scott Bain kept them in the game. Eleven minutes from the end Ben Gordon scored a deserved equaliser after the team pushed hard for a goal and were rewarded for their never say die spirit. Results elsewhere confirmed just how tight this league can be when bottom club East Stirlingshire moved of the base of the league after defeating league leaders Annan Athletic 1-0.

paul hartley after draw at montrose

I thought we were the better team in the first half and probably in the second half Montrose shaded it, with the chances they had and our keeper did had two really good saves, but we should have one up early in the match, Kevin Cawley is disappointed that he didn’t make it count but he has been terrific for us all season. Overall it was another point taken away from home, we showed great character after we had lost a goal, not for the first time this season we have came back from going a goal behind, the players showed great spirit and determination.
In the first half we played some really good football and created some good chances but we need to learn to take these chances, if you don’t take the chances you are always vulnerable at the other end and that’s what happened, we didn’t stop the cross and didn’t pick up the forward, which is something that we have to address – cross balls coming in and not been dealt with, it was the same last week so we will work on that but overall I am happy to take a point.