Saturday, August 23, 2008

Season 2008/2009: Match 6: Montrose v Annan Athletic


Now, four games into the new season, I can confidently predict exactly how many points Montrose will finished the season with: 36.
Four games in, four games drawn. Montrose were so determined not to win this one that they smacked a penalty against the post instead of scoring and had a central midfielder sent off for swinging an elbow 10 minutes from time.
Annan looked dangerous, as befitted a team top of the league three games into their debut season at this level. They brought with them a vocal fanbase, and two flags that can be seen in the photograph above. I thought that the stewards were going to ask them to take the flags down, or stop climbing on a wall that generally doesn't look 100% safe, but they were merely asking that travelling Borders support move the flags higher so that they didn't cover the advertising hoardings.
Once again, Montrose's inability to kill games off when ahead cost them. In all four league matches this season, they've taken the lead. They've drawn all four.
The referee was useless. But that goes without saying in the Scottish Third Division.
Today's matchday programme provided some pre-match entertainment, with star striker John Baird taking part in the Players' Quick Eleven feature - 11 questions to help the fans understand the man beneath the shirt. I repeat a few of Baird's answers here verbatim with no comment other than it's just as well he can play football.
Q: What is your favourite cheese?
Baird: Tesco
Q: What is your favourite book?
Baird: Paolo Di Canio
Q: What players do you admire and respect in the division (ie Scottish League Division Three)?
Baird: Carlos Tevez

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