Brora march on towards Division Two
Scottish League Two play-off final, first leg
Brora Rangers 1
Montrose 0
A MARVIN Andrews own goal six minutes from the break was all that separated the sides in a tense first leg of the Scottish League play-off final at Dudgeon Park last Saturday.
Brora could have won by a bigger margin but, on this display, they have nothing to fear as they head for Links Park for the crucial second leg tomorrow.
The home side were dealt a blow before the kick-off when Brora’s versatile wide man Andrew Greig called off ill before the match. His place was taken by teenager, Harry Richardson.
However, Zander Sutherland and Grant Munro, who both missed last week’s tie against Edinburgh City, were available again, and Dale Gillespie, who was suspended last week, also returned but Scott Graham was missing.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action in the opening quarter – the only chance of note was an effort from former Ross County player Gary Wood who fired over from 15 yards.
Brora’s first shot on target was a tame effort from Martin MacLean which was easily gathered by Montrose goalkeeper Stuart Mackenzie.
The home side took the lead against the run of play with a somewhat fortuitous goal.
In attempting to cut out a long clearance from Brora keeper Joe Malin, Montrose centre back Andrews, under pressure from Steven MacKay, headed the ball past his own keeper.
Buoyed by the goal Brora started the second half strongly and Mackenzie did well to keep out a MacKay shot with his legs.
At the other end Malin pulled off a fantastic save from Paul Watson, tipping his shot over the bar.
Malin came to Brora’s rescue again in the 70th minute when he turned a ferocious Watson drive behind for a corner.
In a frantic finish to the match Montrose substitute Ross Campbell stuck the base of the post, then Sutherland fired high and wide as the ball took an unfortunate bobble.
Brora Rangers: Malin, Houston, MacDonald, McKeown Munro, G Morrison, Martin Maclean, Gillespie, Sutherland, MacKay, Richardson. Subs not used – Michael MacLean, Kettlewell, C MacLean, Allan, Porritt, Martin.
