The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Montrose ready to take the fight to Warriors
Petrie’s side can take heart from matching Queen of the South
Montrose return to League 2 business against Stenhousemuir this afternoon after an epic Scottish Cup double header with Queen of the South.
Stewart Petrie’s side gave as good as they got against the Championship outfit, drawing 0-0 at Links Park last Saturday before making the long journey to Dumfries on Tuesday night for the replay.
Home advantage counted for Gary Naysmith’s side, with Queens winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Stephen Dobbie and a Derek Lyle cracker.
Attention now turns to the bread and butter of the league at Ochilview against a Stenny side that is sitting just two points behind the second-placed Gable Endies.
The Warriors are unbeaten in their last three league games, a run that included a win over league leaders Stirling. Petrie is under no illusions about how difficult a task his side face.
He said: “The boys were excellent once again in midweek and probably didn’t deserve to lose.
“Their application from the Saturday to the Tuesday, playing 180 minutes against a top Championship team, was first class and they are due lots of credit.
“We made four changes on Tuesday night, and it would have been five if Paul Watson had been fit.
“I am fortunate to have that strength in depth and will probably make two or three changes again against Stenny.
“They are going really well, as you would expect considering they came down last season. They are a big strong side and pose a real threat up front, so our defenders will have to be on their toes.
“However, the lads will travel with confidence after more than matching Queens.”
Watson is available again, although Martyn Fotheringham is a doubt because of a tight hamstring.