EFL 2019: Montrose scores its first win of the Premier Division season

Montrose has endured a difficult season, but coach Peter Bastinac has predicted the club “should be a powerhouse in five to 10 years” as it prepares for relegation to Division 1.

Montrose coach Peter Bastinac. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Montrose avoided being the first EFL top-flight team to go through a season winless in more than a decade after logging its first win of the year on Saturday.

The Demons were in danger of being the first team since Donvale in 2008 to not post a victory during the campaign.

But they put they avoided that statistic courtesy of a 46-point triumph over North Ringwood at Montrose Recreation Reserve.

“I’m just really proud of the boys, we haven’t thrown the towel in at any stage and we were able to get a win,” Montrose coach Peter Bastinac said.

“We led from start to finish. A lot of times this year, teams would get two (goals) in a row and we’d go back in our shell a little bit but the boys were relentless, they just stuck at it.”

Montrose has spent the past six years in the top tier but will be relegated to Division 1 for the 2020 season.

Tim Lanyon kicked two goals in the win over North Ringwood. Picture: Hamish Blair

Bastinac said the second tier was an appropriate standard for the club.

“I think that’s where we’re at right now and that was going to be the challenge this year,” he said.

“What’s hurt, when I’ve walked into the club (is) we didn’t have (under 19s).

“Now you look at it, there are 14 junior teams, we’ve got 60 players in the 17s so I just reckon Montrose should be a powerhouse in five to 10 years if the juniors keep coming through because we’re really strong off-field.

“We had three under-17 players (Tyler Birchall, Beau Tennant and Bailey White), who experienced Premier Division footy and will only be better for it in five years’ time.”

Montrose opened up a 26-point lead by quarter-time and was never challenged on its way to a 18.9 (117) to 10.11 (71) win.

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Bastinac said it was difficult to swallow the prospect of relegation but was proud the club remained united.

“We just haven’t been good enough over four quarters to win a game so it was good to have a four-quarter effort,” he said.

“I’ll look back on it and there’s probably half-a-dozen games where we should have been able to go on with it.

“That was probably the best team I’ve put out there this year, too — first time we’ve had everyone available.”

Montrose will close its season against South Croydon on Saturday.

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