MONTROSE ROSELEA v OAKLEY UTD

EAST OF SCOTLAND CUP 2^nd ROUND

SAT JAN 21^st 2012

 

Roselea faced Premier League leaders Oakley Utd in a second round East of Scotland Cup match on Sat. The teams had met on a couple of occasions in recent times both in Scottish Cup ties. In 1987 after a 3-3 draw at Broomfield and 2-2 draw at Oakley a Kevin Young goal saw Roselea win the second replay in Dundee and then in 2005 Roselea beat Oakley 4-1 in a Scottish tie.

 

Roselea had some selection worries with Colin Kennedy working, Paul Whyte and Bob Urquhart both fighting injury to play.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, Colquhoun, Whyte, Reoch, R Taylor, Urquhart, Mustard, Anderson, Riach, Collier & Fletcher. Subs: Aitken, P Taylor, Hood, Rodger, Brand & Craig

 

On a very windy day both teams took to the flat surface with Roselea having the advantage of the elements at their back as they kicked off towards St Cyrus.

 

Roselea were first on the attack in ten minutes when a diagonal free kick was flighted in and although the ball found the head of Whyte he could not direct it on target in the difficult conditions.

 

Oakley cane back a couple of minutes later and Kelly cut in from the left and found Ross advancing from the right back position he had a curling shot which went just round the post.

 

Roselea took the lead in 12 minutes. Blackadder misplaced a pass in midfield which Ryan Taylor picked up and strode forward and after beating his man he sent a low cross in which was turned into his own net by CUSICK for an own goal.

 

Oakley equalised in 23 minutes. Kelly broke down the left after a great pass found him in space he squared for Dair to shoot and after Mcleod blocked his shot the ball fell back to KELLY who scored despite the efforts of two defenders on the line.

 

In 25 minutes Mcleod had another fine save when he turned a Dodds effort behind for a corner. A minute later Mustard had a fine left foot strike from distance but it was too straight at Sandison in the Oakley goal.

 

Sinclair of Oakley found himself in the book for a crude challenge on Collier on the half way line on 34 minutes.

 

In 39 minutes Mcleod made a fine block when he slid out to foil the advancing McDowell and gathered the ball when it broke.

 

Half Time: Roselea 1 Oakley Utd 1

 

Roselea should have regained the lead two minutes into the second half when a well timed run by Urquhart saw him clear and his low shot from the angle went just wide of the post.

 

Roselea were having to defend well against the wind and a dangerous Dodds cross had to be turned behind by Taylor at the far post for a corner in 55 minutes.

 

In 55 minutes Oakley were awarded a free kick some 30 yards out but with the wind at his back Blackadder elected to shoot. His first effort came back from the wall but his rebound was well struck and Mcleod had to scramble to save at the feet of Sinclair who was following up.

 

Two minutes later Roselea had another let off when the ball squirmed out of McLeod’s grasp and Whyte had to clear off the line.

 

In 67 minutes Jo Aitken replaced the injured Ryan Taylor.

 

In 74 minutes Mcleod had another great block with this time McDowell breaking on the right and after the Roselea stopper blocked with his knees he managed to get up and claim the loose ball.

 

Mcleod was putting on a great show in the Roselea goal however he was almost caught out by a Blackadder shot which seemed to be going over his hands however he recovered and also managed to get the follow up.

 

Roselea had a great chance to take the lead in 81 minutes when Fletcher was left clear following a mix up in the Oakley defence, he spotted the keeper off his line and chose a difficult chip shot which saw him lose his footing and the chance was gone.

 

A minute later another dangerous Blackadder free kick went just behind much to the relief of all in the home side.

 

In 84 minutes Hood replaced Fletcher.

 

Oakley were correctly reduced to 10 men in 85 minutes when Blackadder took offence to the fact that he had not had free kicks awarded in his favour and lashed out at the ankle of Craig Anderson and was shown the red card.

 

Roselea looked to take advantage of the extra man and pushed forward looking for the winning goal however it was a breakaway that cost them the tie in the 88^th minute. Sub MCMILLAN picked the ball up on the half way line and ran 30 yards before sending a great low shot past Mcleod and into the corner of the net to the jubilation of the travelling support.

 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 1 Oakley Utd 2

 

Despite the score not going the way of the home side they put in a great display with no lack of effort against a very good and experienced Oakley side who will likely be playing Super League football next season. The winning goal was a sucker punch with penalties beckoning however it does show the fine line between success and failure at that level. Roselea had some great displays however Ross Mcleod in the goal had a string of great saves especially in the second half.

 

Roselea return to League business this week with a trip to Blairgowrie who beat them in the Emirates Junior Cup. It will be another tough game at Davie Park. At night the team will attend the Clubs 8^th Sportsman’s Dinner at the Links Hotel which commences at 6.30 for 7pm.