MONTROSE ROSELEA V KIRRIE THISTLE

SAT NOV 5^TH 2011

MCBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

 

Roselea were looking to bounce back from their unexpected Scottish Cup exit to Blairgowrie with a win over Kirrie Thistle who were sitting just three points behind the home side. Roselea made one change from the Blairgowrie game with a fit again Stewart Fletcher coming back in with Joe Aitken dropping back to the bench. On a perfect day for football Roselea kicked off facing into a very low sun which was going to make vision difficult for the majority of the match.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, Colquhoun, Whyte, Reoch, R Taylor, Rae, Urquhart, Anderson, Riach, Collier & Fletcher. Subs:Hood,Aitken, Mustard, Rodger, P Taylor, Kennedy & Craig.

 

Kirrie Thistle started well and they produced the first chance of the match in 5 minutes. Farquharsons corner found the head of Archibald and his header came back off the post before Millar blasted over from close range.

 

Roselea came into things more and on 13 minutes showed their first real piece of action. Riach played Collier in down the left hand side and his cross was cleared just as Fletcher was coming to score.

 

Kirrie were dominating play forcing Roselea to tamper with their formation and this also led to Kirrie adjusting their set up to compensate.

 

On 16 minutes Urquhart of Roselea was lucky to pick up just a booking as his high tackle was punished.

 

Kirrie Thistle were knocking the ball about well but it was stray pass from Riach that gave them their next chance, Russell had space and set up a shooting chance but his 20 yard effort was easily held by Mcleod.

 

Roselea should have taken the lead on 23 minutes despite all the Kirrie possession. Fletcher gathered a short corner and put in a dipping ball which Collier flicked on and Urquhart rushing in at the far post should have put the ball in the net but after a scramble the ball ended up in keeper Hutchinson’s arms.

 

Kirrie Thistle had a couple of chances but blocks from Whyte and Reoch snuffed out the danger.

 

Roselea took the lead on the half hour mark when COLLIER scored his 11^th goal of the season with a looping header from great Rae free kick.

 

Kirrie Thislte had three chances which were all thwarted with saves from Mcelod, the first from a Black was exceptional as h touched the ball round the post.

 

 

Roselea went in with half time lead that Kirrie would feel aggrieved at but they certainly couldn’t take it away from the home side.

 

 

HALF TIME Roselea 1 Kirrie Thistle 0

 

Roselea were now shooting with the ever lowering sun at their backs and Collier was first to show some creativity in the half when his run took him past three Kirrie defenders before he flicked the ball over the bar.

 

Kirire Thistle then had a good chance when Morrice launched a free kick into the Roselea box, Mcleod came to take it but spilled and had to save a shot to redeem his error.

 

Roselea were again put under pressure in 56 minutes when Shaun Taylor fizzed a ball across the Roselea goal face but just went over the head of the Kirrie striker.

 

Roselea made their first change when Mustard replaced Riach on 60 minutes

 

Roselea’s Fletcher found space when he collected a throw in and although his left foot shot was well struck it was too far off target to trouble Hutchinson.

 

Calum Rae was unlucky to be penalised for a free kick in 63 minutes as he tried to pull out of the challenge. Morrice stepped up and sent a dangerous shot in which Mcleod had to tip over for a corner.

 

Roselea had a let off in 73 minutes when Sievewright should have scored but blasted over after the ball broke to him in the box.

 

Roselea had a chance to seal the points when they won a penalty in 81 minutes. Colquhoun fed Rae who drove down the right and he in turn sent Fletcher away in the box, the striker was clever enough to make Hutchinson dive for ball bringing him down in the process. Collier stepped up and tried to dummy the keeper who guessed correctly and redeemed himself with a great save at the post. After a scramble with Collier the ball was gathered and the chance gone.

 

Roselea had another great chance to increase their lead a minute later when Collier headed a Kennedy free kick onto the bar when he should have scored.

 

Roselea had one more chance when Fletcher and Collier broke for Roselea in stoppage time, Fletcher squared to Collier but the striker could not beat Hutchinson.

 

Referee Mcilllveny blew for time and it was a relieved and happy Roselea that celebrated the win.

 

Full Time: Roselea 1 Kirrie Thistle 0

 

This like the Scottish tie the week before was another game that could have gone either way. Both sides played open football and had plenty of chances to win the game. Roselea probably just shaded it overall after Kirrie’s early dominance. It was another good team performance with all playing their part in the win.

 

Roselea travel to Dundee to face East Craigie in the League on Saturday. Craigie have picked up a few good results recently and had a  5-0 win over Brechin Vics on Saturday. Kick Off as at 2.00pm