Montrose Roselea

DUNDEE VIOLET v MONTROSE ROSELEA

EAST REGION JFA NORTH LEAGUE

SAT NOV 13th 2010

Roselea travelled to Glenesk Park Dundee to face Violet who were expected to be one of their main title challengers in an important League match. With 1 point seperating the sides a win for either would be cruical. Roselea travelled minus James McKellar who failed a fitness test and Craig Watson & Matt Miller made a return to the starting line up replacing Scott Riach and Sean Mustard respectively. Veteran keeper Ronnie Massie deputised for Ross Mcleod who was on holiday. A very wet surface met them as the winter weather starts to affect Junior parks up and down the country.

Roselea: Massie, Miller, Whyte, Graham, Doug Craig, Reoch, Rae, Urquhart, Kennedy, Collier and Watson. Subs: Reid, Aitken, David Craig, Mustard, Riach, Strachan & Hood

Violet took control early on but Roselea were first on the attack when Rae and Reoch combined with Reochs dangerous cross being cut out with Collier waiting.

Violet retaliate when a ball is cleared from the Roselea box but Ogilivies long range effort is way off the target.

Roselea took the lead in 12 minutes and was aided by a slip from Violet defender Smith. Paul Whyte played an excellent long ball which may have reached Watson anyway but when Smith slipped on the difficult surface Watson composed himself and had his usual assured finish from 20 yards in off the post.

Roselea doubled their lead in 14 minutes with danger man Watson counting again. This time he flicked on a long Graham free kick into the net with his head with Violet keeper Kelly caught in no mans land.

Roselea were on the up and Kennedy almost got his head perfectly to a great Miller cross but it just went over the upright in 16 minutes.

Violet should have pulled a goal back a minute later when Tennant pounced on a similiar Roselea slip but pulled the trigger too early and left Massie an easier task than he should have had. In 21 minutes Violet had another chance when Ballantine sent in a cross which danger man Tennat met at the far post but again lacked the killer header to worry Massie.

Roselea's double scorer Watson had to leave the game with a neck injury and had to be replaced by teenage striker Aitken in 24 minutes.

Violet had another great chance in 26 minutes this time Tennat weaved his way into the Lea box and layed the ball back to Ballantine who screwed his effort wide of target from 10 yards in a packed box.

Roselea took a three goal lead in 37 minutes with a well worked goal. Aitken and Collier combined to set up Urquhart and he fully composed himself and slid the ball past Kelly from an angle.

Right on half time Urquhart should have turned provider after a good cross from Collier however he elected for a difficult overhead kick with Rae and Reoch well positioned at the edge of the box.

Half Time: Violet 0 Roselea 3

Roselea came out with intent to start where they left off and an intelligent square ball from Rae set up Urquhart for a 25 yard shot but he was off target.

Violet made their task look almost impossible when Gavin Hood was dismissed after an off the ball kick at Kennedy with the stand side linesman doing his job correctly by pointing it out to referee Duncan.

In 58 minutes Riach replaced the injured Kennedy.

Violet were coming into things depsite having ten men and were gifted a lifeline with a penalty in 65 minutes which was puzzling. Tennat broke free with Massie saving at his feet before the ball broke to Miller who cleared. As Massie and Tennat struggled to their feet the referee pointed to the spot. Tennat who had been brought down took the kick and placed it in the corner.

Riach made a break on the right in 70 minutes with Violet pressing to get back in the game and his early cross met Collier who tried to control before shooting and the chance was lost.

Violet were truly back in the game in 73 minutes and it was the man who had caused problems all day, Tennat who scored. A long ball caught Roselea's defence out and Tennat had the easy job of lobbing the onrushing Massie.

Play was now swinging from end to end and after Massie held a Milton long range effort Aitken broke free at the other but his flighted shot drifted over.

Violet did not look like the team with 10 men and they had three great chances in the closing minutes to get what would have been a deserved equaliser. A long throw in decived everyone apart from Sievwright and Massie had a great save with his feet. Next Reynolds cut inside and his shot hit the outside of the post  before Reoch had to clear off the line from a header.

The sound of the final whistle came with great relief for all involved with Roselea in what is a cruical win for the side.

Final Score: Dundee Violet 2 Montrose Roselea 3

Referee Colin Duncan

After a terrific start Roselea took advantage and looked on easy street with three good goals before 10 man Violet heroicly almost snatched a draw which few could have begrudged them. Roselea went into the game looking for at least a point and came away with a win so the overall performance and result were pleasing. With Arbroath Vics and Downfield drawing 0-0 it made the result extra special.

Roselea are now down for a free week on Saturday November 20th and it will remain that way unless weather disrupts other fixtures. At the moment there is no fixtures issued for November 27th or beyond.