Annan make it two wins in a row vs Montrose

Jan 16 2013 by Andrew McNair, Dumfries & Galloway Standard

Annan made it two wins in a row on Saturday in interim boss Euan Brydson’s final game in charge.

The Galabank side have chosen Jim Chapman as their new gaffer but there is no doubting Brydson’s impressive caretaker spell.

Montrose had won four out of their last five away games but came unstuck at Annan as the home side ran out 2-1 winners.

Goals from David Hopkirk and Ally Love set the Galabankies on their way but a late Montrose strike made for a tense final few minutes.

Goal machine Hopkirk, who signed from Queen of the South at the start of the month, has been itching to play week in, week out.

The 19-year-old said: “I’ve just been desperate to get playing again and scoring goals and I seem to be able to do that at Annan.”

After a goalless first half, the striker scored his sixth for the club to put Brydson’s men ahead against Montrose. Hopkirk picked up the ball wide on the left before cutting inside and firing an unstoppable shot past visiting keeper Sandy Wood on 59 minutes.

Annan continued to dictate the game and doubled their lead 11 minutes later.

Scott Chaplain laid the ball in the path of Ally Love who finished clinically to give Wood no chance and give the home side a much-needed two-goal cushion.

Wood denied Hopkirk when he pulled off a fine, one-handed save before Montrose were given a late lifeline when Gary Wood prodded home from eight yards in the 89th minute after a misunderstanding in the Annan defence.

The goal gave Montrose hope of salvaging something from a game which looked to have slipped away from them and Annan had to sustain a nervy late period as the visitors tried in vain to grab an equaliser.

The result means Annan have taken 10 points out of their last 15 available and are up to sixth spot in the division three table.