Wednesday 23rd July 2025, Kick-off 19.15
Scottish League Cup Group Stage
Gayfield Park, Arbroath
Admission: £15.00
Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 513
A match report from a Montrose perspective can be read by clicking here , also copied and pasted below
And from an Airdrieonians perspective, by clicking here
Video highlights of this match can be viewed by clicking here
MONTROSE 1-2 AIRDRIEONIANS
Montrose returned to Gayfield Park for the final time for their second Premier Sports Group C fixture against Championship side Airdrieonians. It was the first match between the sides since the never to be forgotten play-off match in May 2022.
Stewart Petrie again made changes to his side with Quinn, Waddell, Masson, Shrive and Wighton returning with Bertie, Smith, Clark, Machado and the suspended Lyons dropping out.
The visiting line up including two former Montrose loanees In Euan Henderson and Chris Mochrie.
There was a healthier crowd of 513 inside Gayfield as Airdrie got the match underway in pleasant summer conditions.
It was Craig Brown who had the first chance of the match for Montrose in the 7th minute when he ran into the box but could only fire wide of the post.
Airdrie should have taken the lead in the 11th minute when Henderson found himself through on goal, but Clark raced out of his goal to pull off a great save.
Montrose raced up the pitch from this let off and should have opened the scoring themselves. Webster crossed from the right and in the scramble inside the box Loudon should have scored but saw his shot cleared off the line.
In the 22nd minute Loudon won a free kick on the left. Brown floated the ball into the box and Ali Shrive saw his low effort held by keeper Melrose.
On the stroke of half time Montrose won a corner kick which Webster took. It found Loudon on the edge of the box his first time volley was blocked and Wighton just couldn’t scramble home the rebound.
The Gable Endies were forced into a change at the start of the second half with goalkeeper Aaron Clark injured, 16-year-old Campbell Millar coming on in his place for his debut.
Montrose had another good chance in the 50th minute when Webster’s cross to the back post was missed by Waddell but Loudon was on hand to volley over the crossbar.
Minutes later Loudon brought down a through ball from Steeves and this time his shot was blocked for a corner kick.
Airdrie made their first change in the 53rd minute bringing on Dean McMaster for Liam McStravick.
The visitors opened the scoring three minutes later, EUAN HENDERSON crossing from the left and the ball somehow finding its way into the net despite the best efforts of Millar in the home goal.
Montrose tried to hit back and after a run along the visitor’s box Brown again saw his shot blocked.
The visitors made it two in the 62nd minute. Millar pulled off a point blank save but LEWIS McGRATTAN was on hand to fire in the rebound.
Kerr Waddell picked up a booking in the 65th minute for a late tackle on the halfway line.
The visitors made a change bringing on a trialist for McGrattan.
In the 69th minute Montrose made a couple of changes. Harry Craig made his return to first team action in place of Wighton and Machado came on for Brown.
With 15 minutes left the visitors made a triple change with Williams, Wilson and Cooper replacing King, Henderson and Mochrie.
At the same time Montrose brought on Ross Clark and Craig Smith for Masson and Waddell.
Cooper was quickly into action, but Millar made a fine stop in the Montrose goal.
Montrose were claiming a penalty when a Machado shot was blocked but referee Irvine waved play on.
In the 78th minute the lively Machado won a free kick on the edge of the box, but Montrose wasted the opportunity when Webster’s effort was cleared.
Montrose got themselves back into the match in the 81st minute when EWAN LOUDON won the ball inside the Airdrie box and rifled the ball into the bottom corner.
Airdrie then picked up a couple of bookings when MacDonald and Armstrong were yellow carded by Irvine.
Montrose had one final chance to take the match to penalty kicks when Loudon was brought down of the edge of the box. Machado took the free kick but curled his effort over the bar.
In an entertaining match Montrose more than matched their opponents and were unlucky not to take at least a point before their trip to Dens Park on Saturday to face Premier League Dundee.
MONTROSE – A. Clark (Millar), Steeves, Quinn, Waddell (Smith), Masson (R. Clark), Webster, Loudon, Wighton (Craig), Freeman, Shrive, Brown (Machado) Subs not used – Emslie, Leddie, Bradford, Bertie
Attendance: 513
Report by Andrew Stephen
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