FORFAR ALBION v MONTROSE ROSELEA

McBOOKIE.COM  NORTH DIVISION
SAT APRIL 13^th 2013

 

Roselea travelled to Guthrie Park, Forfar to face Forfar Albion looking to keep their good run of eight games unbeaten going and maintain their challenge for the Title. The only absentee was Calum Watson who was unavailable and Michael Cruickshank made a return to the starting line up with James Collier switching to a striker role. Albion have had very little action recently due the weather and looking at the league table three points should have been very much on the cards. The Albion pitch was showing the wear of the winter weather but had a bit of give which made it better.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Reoch, Whyte, Ross, Anderson, Rae, Cruickshank, Collier & Reid. Subs: Riach, Watt, Beedie, Brand & Craig.

 

Roselea made the perfect start to the game with a goal inside two minutes. Anderson did well to force a corner with the odds stacked against him and when Cruickshank sent in a dangerous corner REID was the last to touch the ball in the scramble.

 

Roselea looked like they had doubled their lead when Cruickshanks dipping cross looked to have deceived Easton but he did enough to tip over the bar. Seconds later Whyte had a close range shot miraculously saved from close range by Easton.

 

Roselea were piling on the pressure in the early stages and they had a claim for a hand ball when Collier headed a ball back across goal then Whyte went on a run only for a great block from an Albion defender inside the box prevented him getting a shot away.

 

Albion had their first break in 12 mins when their right back picked up a loose ball and advanced before hitting a 25 yard shot over the bar.

 

Roselea took some time to penetrate the Albion defence again and in 22 minutes as Collier held the ball in before Rae shot over then Ross turned nicely in the box and fired in a low cross which was dealt with by the Albion defence.

 

In 23 minutes Roselea did eventually increase their tally with a well taken goal by Craig ANDERSON. Roselea broke down the left and Cruickshank sent in a deep cross which Anderson let bounce once before sending in an unstoppable volley in to the corner of the net leaving Easton with no chance.

 

A minute later Reid headed narrowly wide from a Ryan Taylor cross as Roselea continued the bombardment. Albion then had a similar penalty claim but was also met by deaf ears from the referee Mr Mcillvenny.

 

Roselea made the three points an almost formality with a third goal in 35 minutes. Ryan Taylor’s diagonal ball was headed square by Whyte and REID had a great side on volley as he smashed the ball into the net from 8 yards out.

 

In 38 minutes rampant Roselea almost added to their tally when Ross cleverly cut the ball back to the arriving Rae and his shot struck the base of the post before rebounding to safety.

 

In 41 minutes another great finish from Danny ROSS made it 4-0. He took his time and struck a great left footed shot into the corner of the net as it went in off the post.

 

Albion had a chance just on half time when they caught Roselea napping. A great reverse pass found McDonald however Anderson had worked back and somehow managed to get a tackle in to prevent a certain goal.

 

Half Time: Albion 0 Roselea 4

 

Roselea made a change at half time with David Beedie replacing Calum Rae.

 

Roselea then made a second change five minutes into the second half with Scott Riach replacing Craig Anderson.

 

Dale Reid had a chance of his hatrick on 52 minutes but could not connect with the ball as he tried an acrobatic finish.

 

Roselea had started the second half slighty on the back foot and Albion gave themselves a life line with a goal in 55 minutes. Scott Black was allowed too much space as a corner broke and carried on his run down the left side before crossing for Sam McDONALD to finish well from 12 yards out.

 

This maybe stirred Roselea as they upped their game and birthday boy & Club Captain celebrating his birthday scored a great fifth goal in 60 minutes. He picked up a loose ball 10 yards inside his own half before striding forward and playing a great one-two with Riach on the edge of the box and tucked the ball under the advancing Easton with a low right footed shot.

 

Ross & Reid both went close and brought out great saves from Dean Easton.

 

Reid went even closer in 68 minutes when a great touch from a high long ball saw him get one on one with the keeper but his shot struck the base of the post.

 

Roselea made their final change with Marcus Watt coming on for Danny Ross in 72 minutes.

 

There was no real urgency from Roselea from then on and many moves broke down with sloppy passing and poor decision making as the game drew to a satisfactory close for the away team.

 

Final Score: Forfar Albion 1 Montrose Roselea 5

 

After a great first half display with great tempo the second half failed to deliver the same however the result is one that Roselea would have taken at the start of the day. The win keeps Roselea on top by goal difference from East Craigie who won 3-2 at Blairgowrie and are also Albions next guests next Saturday. Draws between Arbroath Vics & North End and Downfield and Kirrie Thistle also did Roselea’s chances no harm at all.

 

Next week Roselea have a tough challenge as they travel to Downfield who are like most teams and still in with an outside shout of one of the two promotion places up for grabs. Kick Off is at 2.30pm