MONTROSE ROSELEA v HERMES

GA CUP ¼ FINAL

SAT MARCH 29^th 2014

 

Roselea met North Superleague side Hermes in the quarter final of the GA Cup with the winners having the benefit of a home tie in the Semi Final against either Luncarty or Islavale who also played. Hermes sit 4^th in the North Superleague and the sides had last met in 2006 with Roselea winning 4-2 courtesy of a Chris Simpson hatrick. With Ross Mcleod and Ronnie Massie on holiday there was a last minute signing of 18 year old Arbroath FC keeper Josh Gray who lives in St Cyrus. 16 year old Craig Taylor was also signed on the eve of the game along with veteran Colin Kennedy. Roselea were boosted by the return of Calum Watson who made an appearance at the end of the Livingston Utd game however Stuart Richardson and Craig Anderson were both still injured although Anderson made the bench.

 

It was a hard and dry Broomfield Park which is in much need of rain that the teams lined up on and the surface was going to be bobbly.

 

Roselea: Gray, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Rae, Kennedy, Riach, Collier, Reid & Watson. Subs: Thomson, Anderson, C Taylor, Brand & Kerrigan

 

Roselea took the game to Hermes and had a couple of early chances when first Paul Whyte volleyed over then Dale Reid was caught offside when he looked like he was through on goal.

 

In 13 minutes Hermes took the lead with their first attack. The ball was played along the 18 yard box to SHAW and he unleashed a great shot which seemed to take a defelction over keeper Gray who could do nothing as the ball dipped into the net.

 

There was not much to report in the next ¼ hour as with a bumpy pitch neither side could get the ball down however Roselea had a great chance in 38  mins when Reid outstripped the defender to create a one on one chance but found the feet of keeper Sweeneys legs.

 

Half Time Montrose Roselea 0 Hermes 1

 

Roselea started the second half a bit more brighter with  the Managers choice half time words possibly still ringing in their ears. Collier picked up an inside pass from Riach then shot just over the bar.Roselea were determined to get back into the game and Collier headed goalwards from a Watson cross but couldn’t get enough power to disturb keeper Sweeney.

 

Roselea made a change in 66 minutes with Danny Ross coming on for Colin Kennedy.

 

Roselea then had a big share of possession and when the ball fell out wide to Reid he smashed a volley from a narrow angle which Sweeney deflected wide.

 

 

Roselea broke again as the desperately tried to get back into the game and Watson was sent away by Ross and although his pass was deflected Reid was adjudged to be in an offside position.

 

Craig Anderson then went on for Paul Taylor in 70 minutes.

 

A minute later Roselea had a great chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty. Collier headed the ball into the penalty area and although Watsons flick went wide the keeper Sweeney followed through and brought him down. Watson dusted himself down and after a slight delay he hit a weak shot which the keeper easily saved.

 

In 78 minutes Roselea almost got back on terms under somewhat controversial circumstances. The Assistant referee raised his flag for offside against Dale Reid however Danny Ross read the situation well and maintained his run which saw him cut in from the bye line only to see his shot saved by the feet of the keeper at the near post.

 

There was a fluttering of bookings as things got ragged then Hermes almost made it 2-0 when Wyness broke down the right and flicked the ball over the advancing Gray and as the ball bounced towards goal with Reoch trying to cover it somehow bounced over the bar.

 

There was to be one last Roselea chance with Watson again flicking the ball over the keeper as he latched on to a Collier header but again the ball went agonisingly wide.

 

Watson was struggling with an injury and was replaced by Craig Taylor in injury time who still had time to find himself in the referee’s book for a badly timed challenge.

 

Referee Ferguson blew for time and it was a jubilant Hermes side who celebrated their deserved victory.

 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 0 Hermes 1

 

Roselea found it hard to play on the bumpy surface and it suited a big strong Hermes side better. Roselea improved in the second half but the missed penalty was pivotal in the outcome. Hermes played well and deserved their win and will now face Luncarty who beat Islavale on penalties. Elsewhere Dundee Violet drew at Oakley to send Roselea back into the bottom four in the Premier League. Roselea are back on League duty with a trip to Perth to face Jeanfield Swifts. The match at Riverside kicks off at 2.30pm