Montrose beat Forfar Athletic 2-0 in the opening group match of the Challenge Cup on Monday evening. The result gives the hosts three points from their first outing in the competition. G. Oliver and J. Sutherland were the scorers, with Oliver converting a penalty before half-time and Sutherland adding a second shortly after the restart.
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Oliver stepped up to take a penalty and made no mistake. It was a crucial moment, and he seized it. To be fair, the advantage appeared to come from a clumsy challenge inside the box, though the referee's decision stood. The goal shifted the momentum in Montrose's favour.
Forfar struggled to respond. By then the hosts had settled into a rhythm, and the visitors could not find their footing. Sutherland doubled the lead in the 47th minute, capitalising on a loose ball in the area. The second goal effectively killed the contest, and Forfar were left chasing shadows for the remainder.
Oliver had another opportunity in the 59th minute when he was awarded a second penalty, but this time he failed to convert. The miss was unfortunate, yet it did little to alter the outcome. Montrose had already established control, and the missed spot-kick only underscored how dominant they had been throughout.
The statistics tell a clear story. Montrose registered 77 attacks compared to Forfar's 36, and their shot accuracy was far superior. Six shots on target against just one for the visitors, with three off target compared to four. Both sides held 50 per cent possession, but the quality of chances told a different tale.
The result moves Montrose clear at the top of their group stage standings. Forfar now face an uphill battle to progress, having started the competition without a point. The hosts showed they can raise the tempo when they need to, even if the penalty miss suggested they are not yet ruthless enough.
