PUMPHERSTON v MONTROSE ROSELEA

McBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE

SAT MAY 17^th 2014

 

Roselea entered their final three League matches of the season knowing that seven points would be enough to guarantee safety from relegation. They headed to bottom side Pumpherston on Saturday, a side who have done well to keep going this season after losing pretty much their whole side from last season when the Manager left in pre season to go to Bathgate Thistle. They had a negative goal difference of minus one hundred goals and had lost at Montrose by 3-0 however as always in football nothing could be taken for granted. Stuart Richardson missed out through work however Aaron Thomson returned to the squad. Calum Rae was playing his last game of the season as he had reached the threshold for a two game ban. Trialist Andrew Tringham from Johnshaven Athletic came in to the side.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, Rae, Whyte, Reoch, R Taylor, Ross, Collier, Anderson, Tringham, Cruickshank & Reid. Subs: C Taylor, Riach, P Taylor, Watson & Thomson.

 

Roselea were playing against a slight breeze and after a good opening couple of minutes when the forced a couple of corners they were almost caught out. In 3 minutes Pumpherston though they had taken the lead when Omara evaded the attentions of Reoch and smacked a well hit shot into the side netting. A couple of minutes later and again slack marking allowed Shave to pick the ball up on the left hand side of the penalty area but Mcleod did well to rush out and save brilliantly at the strikers feet.

 

Pumpherston were not going to make things easy for the visitors and after the referee allowed play to move on despite a blatant push on Reoch Brady shot high over the bar from an angle.

 

Reid had the ball in the net when he broke through on a Reoch ball with team mate Rae looking the more likely culprit for the offside decision.

 

Roselea took the lead in 20 minutes in an almost identical move to the disallowed goal however this time the referee was right on the spot to judge that REID was onside and he slotted home well.

 

Reid had another chance in 25 minutes when good pressing by the midfield so Collier intercept the ball from the full back and he sent the striker away, the home keeper Ronald had come a long way out of his goal and he got a slight touch to the chip to help send the ball narrowly over the bar.

 

In 33 minutes a Pumpherston free kick came off the Roselea wall and Collier sent Anderson away this time and in a mirror image of Reids chip the ball went just over the bar.

 

Roselea were needing a second goal to settle them down and the chances were coming thick and fast. Again Reid was in and tried a low shot this time but hit the ball weakly against the keepers legs.

 

In 39 minutes Reid again lobbed the ball over the keeper and his goalbound effort was somehow cleared off the line by Fairley with Collier in close attendance.

 

Ross Mcleod had to be alert when a shot came in from the edge of the box and then Danny Ross had two great chances when he was put in on the right hand side but both low shots were saved by the keepers feet.

 

With two minutes of the first half remaining Roselea worked a pre set free kick however Cruickshank sent in a low ball which surprised Whyte who almost bundled home at the far post from a yard out.

 

Half Time: Pumpherston 0 Montrose Roselea 1

 

Two minutes into the second half saw normal service resumed as Reid had a chance when the ball came to him 16 yards out and his lob went just over the bar.

 

In 53 minutes Reid flashed a Danny Ross cross across the face of the goal as the decisive second goal still eluded the visitors.

 

In 65 minutes Roselea finally got a second goal however it was an unconvincing finish. Anderson sent in a long throw which keeper Ronald claimed, however he dropped the ball at the feet of CRUICKSHANK and his right footed shot took an eternity to finally drop into the back of the net.

 

Roselea had another few chances to get the game sealed up with Cruickshank and Reid both having shots off target in 75 and 78 minutes.

 

Roselea finally got the decisive third goal in the 79^th minutes when the hard working Reid’s pace took him to the byeline and he cutback for ROSS to slot home from 10 yards.

 

Just when Roselea thought they were on easy street Pumpherston were given a lifeline with a very preventable goal. Rae hesitated in clearing the ball, waiting for Mcleod to come out an gather and OMARA nipped in between them before slotting home from 4 yards out.

 

Roselea made two changes in the final ten minutes with Riach replacing Cruickshank and Craig Taylor replacing Tringham who had an outstanding game.

 

Full Time: Pumpherston 1 Montrose Roselea 3

 

Roselea finally secured a valuable three points which until the second and third goals went in were not guaranteed and Pumpherston always looked like they would threaten with their pace up front. Roselea created enough chances to win three or four games and on another day could have hit double figures. There were some great displays again with Trialist Andrew Tringham being the pick of the bunch showing great strength and did the simple things easily. Pumpherston never gave up and for a club who went through so much pain earlier in the season deserve great credit for where they have got to.

 

The win means Roselea are now two points behind Dundee Violet with a game in hand. They are also four points behind 6^th bottom placed Kirkcaldy. With two games remaining starting with Dalkeith Thistle at home this week then the final game away to Arniston Rangers on a date not yet known, 4 points will secure safety. Depending on the outcome of the Dundee Violet v Glenrothes match two points may be enough.

 

This Saturday will be a massive match for the Club against Dalkeith Thistle who also need a point to be guaranteed the third place play off spot. The match kicks off at 2.30pm and Roselea would appreciate the support of the Town to help them on their way to safety.