The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Back to business after tricky cup clash in midweek
Montrose boss stresses importance of league, despite cup distractions
Montrose boss Stewart Petrie and his players may have a glamour Scottish Cup tie against Dundee United to look forward to next month but for now, all their focus is on this afternoon’s league game at East Fife.
The Gable Endies successfully negotiated a Tuesday night replay against Annan Athletic to go through to the fourth round and their meeting with the Tangerines.
Montrose stormed into a 4-0 lead at Galabank but were given a huge fright when the opposition fought back to make it 4-3.
However, Petrie’s men held on and they will now look for another win on their travels today in Methil.
The manager said: “It was a wee bit hairy at the end on Tuesday especially when they scored with just five minutes to go.
“They came down the slope in the second half and just bombed balls at us.
“Even at 4-0, the second half started and there wasn’t even a chance.
“But then they got a penalty out of the blue similar to ourselves in the first half and that gave them the lift that they needed.
“They got their second pretty quickly and after that it was game on.”
Petrie added: “Dundee United are one of the biggest draws we could have so it is great for everyone at the club.
“However, it is back to important league business at East Fife.
“They have had a fantastic season so far and are sitting in third spot but if we win we go four points behind them which shows just how mad the league is.
“Darren (boss Young) has them going great and I think for 20 minutes of the first half of the first game with them at Links Park they gave us as much of a going over as we have had from any team this season when they went 2-0 up against us.
“So we are well aware of how tough it will be but it is a game the boys are very much looking forward to.”
Jamie Redman is a fitness doubt for Montrose with a hamstring problem but Matty Allan is definitely out injured along with the suspended Michael Bolochoweckyj.