Montrose triumph in U16 Angus derby victory

The U16 Angus Derby returns as both the teams have not met since January 2023 so a lot has happened since then so the game could have gone either way.

Montrose came into the game sitting bottom of the league only playing one game whereas Brechin City Youth sat top of the league playing three games, earning two wins and a draw. Both teams were looking to be victorious in their first derby of the season.

Brechin City got the game going in the first half. The first chance of the game was for Montrose as a Rhys Barnett volley from outside the box nearly went in. Montrose managed to take an early lead as Ethan Dickie played a great through ball towards Jayden Mcintosh who got on the end of it and put past the keeper to make it 1-0 in the opening five minutes.

Brechin would then go more attacking following the goal as the Brechin City wingers were causing some trouble for the Montrose defenders.  Brechin were then rewarded as in the ninth minute Grayson Mutch got on the end of another great through ball and equalised.

It didn’t take long for Montrose to take the lead again – this time it came from a free kick. Jayden Macintosh, Oliver Cowan and Ethan Dickie all stood around the ball. Following their discussion Macintosh went into the box. Dickie was the man to take it and instead of shooting or a lofted cross into the box he went for an along-the-ground ball and the man to meet it was Macintosh who scored to get his brace and restore his sides lead.

Montrose would keep pushing trying to get a third goal but Brechin goalkeeper Cameron Burns made some great saves. In the 16th minute, Montrose had the first corner of the game. Jay Macdonald whipped in an inswinger and it looked like it was going in but Burns made another good save to deny the chance.

The next big chance of the game came in the 24th minute and it was for Brechin as Mutch played a cross into the box and Tyler Mackay got on the end of it and headed home to make it level at 2-2.

Both teams would carry on and try to take the lead, playing some good football. Montrose would have a great chance to take the lead in the 32nd minute as Cowan intercepted a back pass from a Brechin defender just outside the box. He drove into the area and took a powerful shot which went past the goalkeeper but hit the far post and bounced out for a throw-in.

Cowan did manage to get his goal in the 38th minute, however, putting his side 3-2 up going into the break.

Montrose got the second half underway.

Brechin City came out fighting in the second half as they were having more of the ball and the better of the chances in the opening ten. A big chance for Brechin came in the 54th minute as Oliver Bruce got a shot away. His effort just flew over the bar – an attempt that would have been a wonder goal had it gone in. Montrose would then assert themselves in the game beginning to attack more.

In the 58th minute, Montrose were awarded a penalty. Cowan was the man to take it he stood up it had great power but it was denied by a great save from the Brechin goalkeeper Burns. However, the referee pointed to the spot again as a few players went into the box too early. Cowan made no mistake on his second attempt as he smashed into the roof of the net giving his side a 4-2 lead. Brechin were reduced to 10 men following this.

Three minutes later on the hour mark Montrose got another goal and it was Cowan who scored to give his side a 5-2 lead and get himself a hat-trick – his first hat-trick since February when his side won 6-2 against Scone Thistle.

The visitors would keep pushing to try and get back into the game. They were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box Charlie Lockhart was the man to take it. It was a great strike but a wonder save from Montrose goalkeeper Luke Callaghan denied it. Callaghan followed this up with a great double save to ensure the three-goal lead.  

The referee blew for full-time and overall it was Montrose who were deserved winners but they had to work for it as Brechin never gave up even when going to ten men. This game was proof of how exciting the Angus derby can be as anything can happen and it also proves how exciting youth football is as you never know what to expect.

Montrose will hope to carry this form on as they travel to Dundee to face Riverside West End Blues, a team who they haven’t faced since the end of the season 22/23. Brechin City will have this Sunday off as their next game is against another Angus rival as they will face Arbroath Youth FC.

Full-time Montrose Vics 5-2 Brechin City Youths

Montrose Player of the Match: Oliver Cowan

Cowan worked really hard in winning the ball for his side and was rewarded with a fantastic hat-trick including an excellent penalty.

Brechin City Youth Player of the Match: Grayson Mutch

Mutch got a goal and an assist, causing many problems for the Montrose defence.

Montrose Youth Vics Magic Moment:

Oliver Cowan’s first goal was the magic moment as it gave his side the upper hand and confidence going into the second half capping off a great team performance in the first half.

Brechin City Youth Magic Moment:

Some great team build-up play to the second goal as a great cross from Mutch was met by Mackay who made it level in the 25th minute, keeping his side’s hopes alive.