Fifers still in third spot after Watt goal double

LEAGUE 1: Young praises his side for a ‘complete performance’ at Montrose

East Fife manager Darren Young praised his team for showing both their good and ugly sides as they claimed a 2-0 win at Montrose.

The win keeps the Fifers in third place in League One and moves them to within four points of second-placed Raith Rovers.

Young said: “We did well to take a 2-0 lead, then when Montrose put us under pressure we had chances to score again and kill the game off.

“We changed formation this week with an extra midfielder to tighten things up. Perhaps we have been a bit gung-ho in recent games.

“We showed respect to Montrose as they have been on a good run and it worked really well. Brett Long made a good save early on then it was good play for our first goal.

“Overall, it was a complete performance. We passed the ball and created chances and defended well when we had to.

“Liam Watt came in and took his chance. He got his goals but he got back and did his bit for the team as well.

“Scott Linton came in and showed the qualities he has got so, as manager, I have got a nice selection headache.

“We have closed the gap on Raith Rovers, but the win also keeps Montrose at arms length. We could have scored more, but we will take three points and a clean sheet.

“My defence was brilliant all day long, heading away crosses, corners and freekicks and we have Morton in the Scottish Cup next week. It should be a good game. If you had told me we would be third and still in two cups in January, I would have taken that.”

Montrose had the first chance on four minutes when a shot from Craig Johnston was just kept out by Long.

On 17 minutes, a mistake by Sean Dillon presented Anton Dowds with a chance but he put his shot wide.

On 25 minutes, strong play by Dowds upset the home defence and the ball broke back for Watt to curl a shot high into the net.

It was 2-0 on 40 minutes. A high press by East Fife won the ball as Montrose tried to play from the back and Ross Davidson played a pass for Watt to score.

Montrose sent on Chris Antoniazzi and on 55 minutes the youngster dribbled past three opponents and had a shot saved.

Five minutes later, a header from Jamie Redman was cleared off the line by Davidson.

Montrose boss Stewart Petrie said: “I thought we were the better side early on.

“There was nothing in the game, then an individual error floored us and seemed to take the life out of the side.

“We lost another goal to another mistake and a good team like East Fife is not going to give a 2-0 lead up easily.

“It was similar to the first game here earlier in the season when we went 2-0 down and couldn’t get back.

“We stuck at it and had one cleared off the line. We are going to lose games and it is how we bounce back that matters.

“It is a big week ahead with Dundee United in the Scottish Cup – we are building something here.”

Liam Watt grabbed two goals at Links Park to ensure East Fife retain third place in League One.