MONTROSE, Scotland (Interstat) — Montrose opened its Scottish League One season with a commanding 3-0 victory over Stenhousemuir at Links Park on Saturday, decisively overturning pre-match projections that favored the visitors.

The home side established control early and never relented, with midfielder Callum Sandilands scoring twice to lead the attack. The result immediately separated the two sides in the early table, with Montrose securing a win and Stenhousemuir taking a loss in their first outings of the league campaign.

Montrose set the tone in the 12th minute. A build-up from the back culminated in defender Aidan Quinn providing the assist for fellow midfielder Graham Webster to slot home the opening goal. Quinn’s involvement was shortly followed by a yellow card in the 20th minute, one of three cautions for the victorious side in a physically contested match.

The lead was doubled just after the half-hour mark. In the 34th minute, defender Andrew Steeves turned provider, his pass setting up Sandilands for his first goal of the afternoon. Steeves also found his way into the referee’s book before halftime, receiving a yellow card in the 39th minute.

Any hope of a Stenhousemuir comeback was effectively extinguished eight minutes from full time. Substitute Kinlay Bilham, who had entered the match and later received a yellow card in the 57th minute, registered an assist by setting up Sandilands for his second goal in the 83rd minute. The three-goal margin finalized a comprehensive performance from the hosts.

The outcome stood in stark contrast to statistical forecasts ahead of kickoff. Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 1-1 draw, while the organization’s ELO rating system gave Stenhousemuir a 53.4 percent probability of winning the match. Montrose’s performance rendered those projections irrelevant, showcasing efficiency in front of goal and a solid defensive display that limited Stenhousemuir’s opportunities.

With the victory, Montrose begins its season with a win across all competitions, while Stenhousemuir starts its campaign with a loss both in League One and overall. The teams will look to build on these contrasting beginnings in their next fixtures.