03/09/2026
Montrose 4-3 Arbroath
What a game! A seven-goal thriller saw the Gable Endies come out on top against Arbroath in a game that had plenty of twists and turns from start to finish.
We didn't have the best of starts and found ourselves 2-1 down after just 12 minutes, but the lads showed great character to turn things around and eventually secure a hard-fought victory.
The Gable Endies started slowly, with Arbroath controlling the opening stages. However, against the run of play, Montrose found themselves ahead in the 6th minute.
Hale picked up the ball and played a great pass into the path of Duncan, who made no mistake, firing a low finish into the far corner beyond the onrushing keeper. ⚽️
Arbroath didn't take long to respond and equalised just two minutes later. A ball was played out wide before being cut back into the box. An initial effort was blocked by Maclaren, with Donnachie then making a good save from the follow-up. Unfortunately, the ball fell kindly to an Arbroath player six yards out, and he made no mistake from close range.
The Arbroath team then took the lead in the 12th minute after Montrose lost possession in their own half. Maclaren was unable to clear his lines and a through ball released the Arbroath striker, who finished well to make it 2-1.
That goal seemed to wake the Gable Endies up, and from that point Montrose were the better side for the remainder of the half.
The equaliser arrived in the 25th minute, and it was a beauty. Crawford produced a perfectly weighted through ball for Pirie, who timed his run brilliantly before calmly chipping the onrushing keeper from the edge of the box. A lovely finish! ⚽️
HT: Montrose 2-2 Arbroath
A reshuffle at half-time saw Robertson move into central midfield, and the change immediately paid dividends.
Robertson was able to carry Montrose up the pitch on several occasions, linking up particularly well with Walker. On one such occasion, Walker took on two Arbroath players before being fouled around 25-30 yards from goal.
Responsibility fell to Robertson, and he stepped up to produce an absolute stunner, pinging the free-kick straight into the top corner and giving the young Arbroath keeper absolutely no chance. What a strike! 🚀
46 minutes — Montrose 3-2 Arbroath
Arbroath continued to threaten and created a few chances of their own, with Donnachie called upon to make a couple of good saves. The defence were also kept busy, doing their part to sweep up danger when required.
Montrose then extended their lead in the 51st minute.
The ball fell kindly to Robertson in the middle of the park and, stretching to reach it, he managed to thread a superb through ball into the path of Duncan. That put Duncan one-on-one with the keeper, and he made no mistake, calmly finding the back of the net for his second of the evening. ⚽️
51 minutes — Montrose 4-2 Arbroath
The Red Lichties weren't finished, though, and they managed to pull another goal back in the 69th minute with a strong effort from the edge of the box which the Montrose keeper couldn't hold on to.
The final few minutes were nervy, but the lads stood firm to see the game out and secure a hard-fought 4-3 victory.
FT: Montrose 4-3 Arbroath
⚽️ Duncan x2
⚽️ Robertson
⚽️ Pirie
🅰️ Hale
🅰️ Crawford
🅰️ Walker
🅰️ Robertson
As always, it was a fantastic, well-contested and fair game against Arbroath, with both teams giving everything right until the final whistle.
There's no time to rest, though, as we face the Arbroath Blacks again this Sunday in the East Region Cup.
This time Arbroath will be the hosts, with a 10:30am kick-off.
Can the Gable Endies make it two wins from two against Arbroath? We'll be looking to do exactly that! 💙⚽️
Montrose Youth FC — 2014s
