The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Plain sailing for Gable Endies as Clyde hit for four in Links Park rout
MONTROSE: But boss Petrie hails his keeper’s spectacular save as turning point as side moves up the league with big win
Martin Rennie went on and grabbed himself a couple of goals and Blair Lyons tore them apart down the wing. STEWART PETRIE
MONTROSE 4 CLYDE 0
Montrose chalked up four goals and another clean sheet as they put Clyde to the sword.
But manager Stewart Petrie said the turning point of the game was a spectacular save by his keeper Aaron Lennox on 57 minutes when he flung himself across goal to claw away a header from Chris Johnston.
Petrie said: “Aaron’s save at 1-0 was crucial. We hadn’t started the second half well and if it went to 1-1 we might have been in trouble.
“Aaron made a string of saves to keep us ahead, then we scored a second goal and after that we were happy to play on the break.
“Martin Rennie went on and grabbed himself a couple of goals and Blair Lyons tore them apart down the wing.”
The clean sheet was a fifth in the last six league games for Lennox and Petrie added: “I’m delighted with the clean sheet as that was something we were not doing last season and Martin’s goals will do his confidence the world of good.
“It is a great achievement to beat a team like Clyde by four goals.
“At the start of the season our priority was eighth place and safety and that is still the case.”
The win takes Montrose to within two points of fourth-placed Falkirk whom they entertain next Saturday, but the Montrose gaffer is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“We will try to take as many points as we can and will not get carried away,” Petrie added.
Clyde began the game well, then on 12 minutes Terry Masson sent a diving header wide for Montrose.
Five minutes later Graham Webster linked with Lyons and shot just wide.
Montrose opened the scoring on 38 minutes. Cammy Ballantyne set up Lyons and when his shot was blocked, left-back Andy Steeves arrived in the box to drive the ball home.
At the start of the second half, Lennox tipped over a drive from Chris McStay, then kept out a David Goodwillie header.
Lennox made his best save of the match to deny Johnston and a follow-up from the same player was deflected over.
Clyde keeper David Mitchell twice saved with his feet from Lyons, then on 67 minutes Montrose gave themselves breathing space. Mitchell charged out of his goal to combat the threat of Rennie and Webster crossed for Lyons to volley into the empty net.
Two minutes later, Webster shot wide with the keeper to beat. On 85 minutes Rennie headed home a Lewis Milne corner, then on 89 minutes, Ballantyne crossed for Rennie to control and slot the ball home.