BLAIRGOWRIE v MONTROSE ROSELEA

McBOOKIE.COM EAST REGION NORTH DIVISION
SAT SEPT 1^st 2012 

Montrose Roselea returned to Blairgowrie where they had won 3-2 the previous week on League Cup business, this time for a McBookie.com League match. The Co Managers had a couple of changes thrust on them with Craig Anderson serving a 3 match ban for his sending off the previous week. Danny Ross and Graeme Allan returned and Colin Kennedy was still missing through work. Several positional changes were made to try and freshen things up. 

The Davie Park surface which had taken a pounding the previous week when monsoon conditions had helped to cut it up was back in great condition following a roll and cut. 

Roselea: Mcelod, Milne, R Taylor, Allan, Reoch, Whyte, Urquhart, Rae, Collier, Watson & Fletcher. Subs: Cruickshank, Riach, P Taylor, Ross & Brand.

In an even opening ten minutes the only things of note was a break by Roselea which ended with Stewart Fletcher being caught offside in a good position and a Blair free kick hitting the wall. The home side did force a couple of early corners which tested visiting keeper Mcleod. 

Roselea have a chance in 11 minutes when Calum Watson held up a Taylor free kick and laid to Fletcher who sent a vicious low ball across the Blair goal-line but it was cleared by a defender. There was a double chance for Roselea a minute later. Watson swivelled in the box and his shot was parried by Obrien to Collier who missed the ball and Reoch then had an effort blocked behind for a corner. 

Blair then broke to the other end and caught the Roselea rearguard napping, Maloney had a chance but his over zealous attempt at a turn in the box saw the chance gone and Roselea recovered.

Roselea then have another chance in 15 minutes when Taylor & Collier worked a throw in into the patch of Fletcher but his shot was well off target from 15 yards out. 

Chances were coming at both ends and a slip by Milne allowed Maloney to get a shot away from a wide angle which fizzed across the Roselea goal then Rae broke at the other end and only a great tackle from McColl prevented a certain goal. 

In 20 minutes Milne gave away a free kick about 35 yards out and the free kick almost saw Findlay connect at the far post. Rae then had a snapshot saved at the other end as play swung from end to end. 

Ryan Taylor had to come to Roselea’s rescue when he got a touch to a cross that was heading to Findlay at the far post again in 28 minutes. Roselea had the best chance so far when Collier cut back to Rae who almost completely missed the ball as it bobbled and when it fell to Urquhart he should have done better than shooting high over from 15 yards out. 

Roselea were having the better of the opening half hour but as so always happens they fell behind to a great goal from Gary AXWORTHY. He beat the offside trap with Roselea claiming otherwise and slotted a great low finish beyond the advancing Mcloed. 

Roselea had yet another chance go begging in 37 minutes when Taylor crossed for Rae to dive head the ball at Obrien who parried it in the direction of Fletcher who scooped over from close range. 

Roselea eventually get the leveller their play deserved courtesy of a penalty on 40 minutes. Calum Watson was sharp and alert to latch on to a loose ball in the box and slid in with Obrien committed, when the loose ball broke the keeper brought the striker down and gave the referee no option but to award a penalty and a red card for the Blair number one. Harsh but the correct decision. FLETCHER coolly stroked the ball into the corner of the net giving the stand in keeper no chance. 

There was a flare up of tempers just before half time when Axworthy who had been fouled and awarded a free kick squared up aggressively to Milne. The referee allowed both player to walk away without punishment and Milne was  replaced by Paul Taylor. 

Half Time: Blairgowrie 1 Montrose Roselea 1

10 man Blairgowrie had the first chance of the second half when Hood had a free header from a corner however with his back to the ball his effort came off the back of his head and over the bar. 

In 50 minutes Collier of Roselea was booked for a dive in an attempt to win a penalty. 

Roselea created their first chance of the half in 58 minutes when Urquhart got to the line and his cross was headed downwards by Collier and the ball hit the keepers legs and behind. 

As so often happens it was the ten men who were enjoying the larger share of the ball and finding masses of space to play in. Roselea were toiling to make any impression on the Blair goal with many passes going astray and easy things being done the hard way. It was Blair who had the next chance in 75 minutes when a mistake by Whyte saw Maloney break from the half way line and his shot was just over the advancing Mcleod but also just over the bar. 

This was perhaps the wake up call Roselea were needing and the scored courtesy of Skipper Paul WHYTE in 77 minutes to amend his previous slip.Roselea were awarded a free kick just inside the Blair half and Ryan Taylor sent in a ball which Whyte headed from the edge of the box however the power and direction took the ball into the corner for the net. 

Cruickshank replaced the concussed Urquhart in 80 minutes. 

Some good play followed from Roselea who had their tails up and another good moving involving Rae and Collier saw the latter shoot just wide. Roselea extended their lead in 83 minutes when a Collier header from a corner was parried into the direction of WHYTE who scored from close range at the far post. 

Blairgowrie had another chance again courtesy of some slack marking when Pirie found himself in space but pulled his shot wide from a narrow angle. 

Riach replaced Fletcher in 87 minutes. 

Roselea wrapped up the match in fine style when Watson broke on the right and unselfishly squared to sub Michael CRUICKSHANK who finished low and hard from 10 yards out. 

Final Score: Blairgowrie 1 Montrose Roselea 4

 This was a great start to the League campaign for Roselea however the scoreline may have flattered the performance slightly. After being on top for the first half hour the sending off changed things and they lost their way for a 20 minute spell. Only when the third goal came did the points look totally safe. Performance of the day was from debutant Graeme Allan who looked assured and composed at all times. 

Roselea now face local rivals Brechin Vics at home on Saturday the 8^th September in what will be a top of the table clash. Vics started their campaign with a 8 goal thrashing of Coupar Angus so a tough game is expected. The KO is at 2.30pm. Roselea also have an interesting East of Scotland 1^st Round tie with Arniston Rangers visiting Broomfield Park on Sept 22^nd. Sandwiched inbetween is a League visit to Dundee to meet Lochee Harp on Sept 15^th.