MONTROSE ROSELEA v TAYPORT
McBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE
SAT 13th SEPT 2014 KO 2.30pm

Roselea were looking to springboard their League season after last weeks great 3-0 win over Dalkeith Thistle in the East of Scotland Cup. Roselea were boosted by the return of Aaron Thomson, Andrew Tringham and James Collier although Ryan Taylor missed out through injury, Michael Cruickshank through work and Ross Mcleod attended a wedding meaning Ronnie Massie was drafted in between the sticks. Roselea had yet to beat Tayport in a competitive game with their best effort a 2-1 defeat in 2010 and a penalty shoot out following a 0-0 pre season opener draw in 2001. Tayport travelled to Montrose with 8 points from their 5 games so far.

 

Roselea: Massie, Rae, Findlater, Whyte, Reoch, Mitchell, Anderson, McDowell, Reid, Collier & Watson: Subs Bailey, Smith, Tringham, Thomson & P Taylor

 

There was a minutes silence held before the match got underway following the death of Forfar West End stalwart Gordon Roger age 55 who died suddenly during the week.

 

Roselea had a half chance in the opening minute when a great Rae throw in was held in by Collier who then layed the ball back to McDowell who scooped his shot over the bar.

 

In 4 minutes Roselea almost made a dream start when Reid broke inside before playing Watson in but his low shot was saved by the feet of Wilson in the Tayport goal.

 

Roselea started on top and Collier almost wriggled free in the box but his shot was blocked for a corner. Anderson sent in a great corner and Watson headed just over.

 

In 12 minutes Tayport had their first chance of the game when Milne broke free from Rae and his ferocius shot was held well by Massie at the second attempt.

 

Roselea took the lead in 16 minutes with a well worked free kick move after the referee awarded a very soft free kick after Anderson shot well wide. Anderson flaoted the ball into the box and after McDowell headed Whytes knockback goalwards, Wilson pulled of a wonder safe however the ball fell to Kyle FINDLATER who stroked the ball home from a tight angle with his left foot.

 

In 22 minutes Findlater almost went from hero to villian when he played a short passback to Milne and only a great save from Massie saved his blushes.

 

There was further danger for Roselea in 25 minutes when Thomson of Tayport was allowed a free header but fortunately he was off target.

 

In 28 minutes there was some controversy when the ball went out for a Tayport throw but Milne clearly kicked out at Findlater. He then took a quick throw with Roselea looking for a foul and Massie was again the man to thwart the danger with a great save.

 

Tayport were coming more into the game and only some stern defending with Whyte having one excellent block to stop a shot going goalwards.

 

Tayport finished the half strongly with their most dangerous player Grant Lawson causing some bother on the Roselea left flank however some good defending then a near post header which went just wide meant that Roselea went in at half time with their tails up.

 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 1 Tayport 0

 

In the first minute of the second half Lawson almost continued where he left off and when he turned inside Findlater he was unlucky to see his shot cannon off Rae and out for a corner.

 

Roselea had a really poor 15 minute spell at the start of the second half where Tayport pressed them and rash clearances from Roselea just meant that the pressure continued. It was asking for someone to put their foot on the ball to relieve the continual bombardment. Roselea got a couple of breaks during this period which kept them in the lead.

 

Roselea made a move to counteract this in the 58^th minute when Andrew Tringham coming on for Ross Mitchell and the midfield reshuffled to counteract the threat. This seemed to work and Roselea got a stranglehold in the midfield again.

 

Collier almost broke free in the box when Watson hooked on a ball to him but Thomson got back and got a slight touch on the left footed strike and sent the ball behind for a corner.

 

Roselea got the vital second goal that they needed in the 80^th minute. Findlater played a delightful ball which set Collier on his way up the right hand flank and his cross was met by a beautiful volley from Dale REID which Wilson stood no chance of saving. This sent the Roselea support into raptures with Roselea Assistant Manager Steve Kerrigan showing masses of emotion.

 

Stefan Elvin of Tayport was unlucky to receive a second yellow in 82 minutes and was shown the way to the Chaning Rooms.

 

Roselea almost had a chance for a third when a long ball caught Tayport keeper Wilson out as he rushed out to head but after he headed towards his own goal Suttie managed to clear.

 

Roselea held out after a couple of Tayport corners in the last minutes to take a memorable and historic victory against one of Scotland’s most recognised Junior teams.

 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 2 Tayport 0

 

Roselea have waited a full 25 years to beat Tayport after several close encounters in recent times. For players like Paul Whyte and Ronnie Massie this will have been a great day for them and both put in excellent performances. Kyle Findlater scored his first goal for Roselea and along with Ross Mitchell put in performances which are years ahead of their age. Match Sponsors Nerys Rae and friends chose James Collier as their Man of the Match.

 

The win does not take Roselea any futher up the League and remain in second bottom spot, however it does close the gap which was forming and leaves them one point better off than they were at the same stage of last season.

 

On Sat Sept 20^th Roselea travel to the Riverside Stadium to face Jeanfield Swifts in a McBookie.com East Premier League match. Kick Off is 2.30pm.