ARBROATH VICS v MONTROSE ROSELEA

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SAT DECEMBER 3^rd 2011

 

Roselea travelled to Ogilvy Park to face Arbroath Vics in their third meeting of the season with both previous encounters at Montrose having finished in goal-less draws. Roselea were looking for a ninth straight win in the League to keep up the pressure on leaders Violet whilst Vics themselves were badly in need of a win being 10pts behind the pace setters. Roselea travelled with injury problems. Callum Rae will be out for at least 6 weeks with an ankle injury whilst several players were carrying knocks and Ross Colquhoun was unavailable. This led to Ian Greig being drafted in for a third Trialist appearance of the season.

 

This was Vics third home game in a row with the 4^th to come next week against Brechin Vics and home President Russell Ruxton had the pitch looking in great condition considering the wear and weather.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, Mustard, Whyte, Reoch, R Taylor, Urquhart, Kennedy, Anderson, Greig (T), Collier & Fletcher. Subs: Craig, Aitken, Riach, Brand, P Taylor & Rodger.

 

Roselea kicked off on a bitterly cold day with the southwesterly wind in their face and a difficult low winter sun to deal with.

 

It was the home side that were first with a chance when Fotheringham headed Watson flick goalwards in 2 minutes and Mcleod held with one hand just under the bar at full stretch.

 

Roselea saw their first break into the Vics last third on 4 minutes when Collier was set away and was brought down by Florence who escaped a booking. Greig sent in a low ball which was deflected by the wall and then cleared for a corner.

 

Craig Anderson picked up a booking in 13 minutes and Stephen sent in a free kick which Simpson headed on target but again Mcleod held comfortably.

 

In 20 minutes after a spell of Vics pressure which saw a couple of corners won, Gray had a low shot saved by Mcleod who had to turn it round the post.

 

Craig Anderson went on a run from midfield in 23 minutes before linking with Collier who in turn fed Urquhart and his screwed shot was almost met by Fletcher who was lurking at the far post.

 

Vics were next to threaten and a great ball from Stephen in 27 minutes set Craig Watson away on the right hand side, he cut in on goal and Mcleod had his angles right to save at the near post.

 

Roselea took the lead on the 33^rd minute with a goal gifted by a Vics mistake. Collier closed down Florence who passed to Laing inside the box and he passed straight to Stewart FLETCHER who took a touch and sent a beautiful curling left foot shot into the corner of the net.

 

Arbroath Vics were reduced to ten men in 36 minutes when Sturrock received a second yellow card following a challenge that may have merited a red card on its own.

 

Roselea looked to take advantage of their numerical superiority and Taylor worked a short thrown in with Collier before sending in a dangerous near post cross which had to be turned behind for a corner.

 

The numbers were even again in 42 minutes when Anderson who had been booked earlier was pulled up for an innocuous foul for a pull. To almost everyones amazement he was booked and sent off.

 

Half Time: Arbroath Vics 0 Montrose Roselea 1

 

Roselea opened the second half on the attack and quick one-two between Collier and Urquhart saw the winger get to by-line and cut back to Collier who made some contact with his left boot but not enough to send the ball goalwards.

 

Vics attacked at the other side down the right hand side and Stephen sent in a good cross which Watson headed downwards and Mcleod held the ball well.

 

In 51 minutes Greig broke down the left for Roselea and although he spotted Urquhart on the far side of the box his ball did not reach and Stephen intercepted however the ball careered towards the top of the net and Cargill had to tip over for a corner.

 

In 57 minutes with play swinging from end to end and Watson had a snapshot from 20 yards after he connected with a miss hit Fotheringham shot but his looping shot went over.

 

Collier received a booking in 64 minutes for a similar foul as Anderson was booked for and minutes earlier a Vics player had escaped a booking for.

 

Vics had their best chance of the game when a clever ball from Simpson found Watson and the normally lethal finisher found the feet of Mcleod who made a great save to keep Roselea in front.

 

Roselea made a change in 73 minutes with Hood replacing Fletcher.

 

Roselea were then reduced to 9 men in very confusing circumstances in the 75 minute. Collier fended off a challenge from Gray and was booked meaning he had to walk for the early shower.

 

In 85 minutes Whyte could have been shown a red card after his frustration that a free kick was not awarded to his side were taken out on Warren. After a minor skirmish settled down Whyte was shown a yellow card.

 

Just when it looked like Roselea had held on for the 3 points Vics scored an equaliser in 87 minutes. Roselea gave a free kick away on the left hand side of the pitch and Warrens excellent ball was headed home by WATSON who rose above Whyte.

 

Full Time: Arbroath Vics 1 Montrose Roselea 1  

 

Referee Mike Roncone

 

This was the result that neither side wanted and both will lose ground on leaders Violet following their 2-0 win over Kirrie Thistle. Roselea thought they had done enough to hang on but Arbroath Vics will look at their second half superiority in possession to claim they deserved their point. The sending offs did not help Roselea’s cause and they were both very debatable second bookings.

 

Roselea take a break from League business and entertain Fife side Oakley Utd in the 2^nd Round of the East of Scotland Cup at home on Saturday Dec 10^th KO 1.30pm. Oakley are sitting second place in the East Premier League 1 point behind Tayport with three games in hand so a tough match is expected.