Match Report - By Secretary

BRECHIN City returned to the scene of their last Forfarshire Cup success to pick up a richly deserved victory at Links Park in Tuesday evening' final.

While Montrose made much more of a contest of things in the second period, City were denied by the woodwork three times in the first 45 minutes and should have been comfortably ahead at half time.

Stephen Ettien and Rory McAllister impressed as a formiddable front pairing, the latter catching Greg Kelly off his line with a snap shot from 35 yards that the keeper just managed to push away.

Montrose’s only real opportunity of the first 45 minutes saw Roddy Hunter gain possession from Gary Fusco in midfield and send Ryan Stewart down the right to deliver a cross to the far post, but Paul Stewart who shot wide.

Stephen Ettien and Steven Canning were both denied, the former on more than one occasion by the upright. However, former Queen's Park man, Canning managed to open his goal account for City with a wonderfully struck left foot drive which gave Greg Kelly no chance.

City's second goal was down to the strength and composure of Rory McAllister. The big striker, who impressed in the first period, evaded his marker and finished with a crisply struck drive.

Montrose mustered little in the way of an attacking threat in the first period and they found City debutante 17 year-old Darryl Gowans in fine form. The youngster, who is on a delayed transfer from Dundee North End, impressed throughout with his reading of the game alongside Jon Seeley.

The home side pulled a goal back in the second period, when the hard working Ryan Stewart knocked home the rebound off the crossbar.

City continued to threaten on the break, but the goal gave Montose a lift in a game where they could have been dead and buried and although City ended the game on the offensive, they were unable to add to their lead.

The Forfarshire Cup was handed over by Forfarshire Football Association chairman, Neil Wilson, to City skipper Darren Smith.

Teams – Montrose: - Kelly, Russell, Sinclair, Davidson, Herd, Crighton, Nicol, Maitland, R.Stewart, Hunter, P.Stewart. Subs – Leyden, McKenzie, Wright, Donald, Smith.