Montrose Roselea

MIDWEEK BLOW TO TITLE HOPES Tayside Premier League Montrose Roselea v Arbroath SC. Wednesaday 12th April 2006 Roselea entertained Arbroath SC in the first midweek fixture of a hectic spell of crucial matches which will determine the outcome of the league title. Roselea: McLeod, Craig, Whyte, C.Masson, H.Smith, Keith, Findlater(McKellar), Watson(Longmuir), Forbes(Simpson), Page, Strachan. Subs: Croall, Wands. This game was played on a bumpy pitch with a strong wind which Arbroath SC had advantage of in the first half. After an earlier scare when they hit the post ASC took the lead in 12 minutes from a 20 yard free-kick which gave McLeod no chance in the Roselea goal. Roselea tried to respond as Hayden Smith had an attempt saved on the line by the goalkeeper’s feet. Forbes then had the ball in the net but was correctly judged to have been in an offside position. As half time approached McLeod was called upon to keep the scoreline the same with some good saves. HALF TIME - ROSELEA 0 ARBROATH SC 1 Roselea started the second half well using the long ball tactic, but were unable to take any chances created. Page narrowly missed a Strachan cross to put Roselea back on terms as ASC were rarely seen as an attacking force. Another good move with McKellar crossing to Longmuir, who set up Simpson but his shot went narrowly over the bar. The game finished in dramatic circumstances when Strachan scored from a Page corner to level the game, and in trying for a victory, left themselves exposed at the back from the kick off, allowing ASC to snatch the winner despite a brave attempt by McLeod to keep the ball out. FULL TIME - ROSELEA 1 ARBROATH SC 2 This was a severe blow to Roselea title hopes and will now need a string of victories in the games to come, to give them hope of winning the league.