MONTROSE ROSELEA v LOCHEE UTD

GA CUP 2^nd ROUND

SAT FEB 23^rd 2013

 

Roselea, fresh from a great League win over Forfar West End were looking to continue their good form in a tough Cup tie v Superleague Lochee Utd in the 2^nd Round of the GA Cup. The task was going to be even tougher with key players Paul Whyte (injury), James Collier and Graeme Allan (work) missing. Marcus Watt who had signed from Arbroath FC had recovered from injury and joined the squad for the first time. Paul Taylor took a place on the bench but was not fully recovered from his rib injury. On the eve of the game transfer listed Robert Urquhart made the move to join Dundee Violet.

Lochee Utd had worries of their own with both number one keeper Vanderyl and their backup missing so their goalkeeping coach, ex Montrose FC Jim Buttars took over. They had the same starting line up as they had in the Scottish Cup tie with Auchinleck Talbot apart from new signing Bryan Deasley who was cup tied and replaced by Paul Blackwood.

 

On a cold day the predicted over night frost did not come to anything and the teams were met by a flat and dry pitch with little wind to contend with.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, Rae, R Taylor, Reoch, Craig, Ross, Beedie, Anderson, Watson, Riach, Reid. Subs: Cruickshank, Watt, P Taylor, Brand

 

Roselea almost shocked Lochee Utd in the first minute when Reid played a ball to Danny Ross and he shot wide when he should have found the net.

 

Roselea’s great start continued when they took a shock lead in just 2 minutes. Dale Reid was very quick in the box and Webster connected with his legs leaving referee Ferguson no choice but to award the home side a penalty. Calum WATSON took the kick and sent Lochee Utds stand in keeper Buttars the wrong way from the spot to make it 1-0 to Roselea.

 

Five minutes later the game was all square. Craig ROBERTSON made a great run from midfield and evaded a tackle before slipping the ball past the advancing Mcleod.

 

Lochee Utd had another a chance a minute later when Mcleods punched clearance fell to Gallacher and his chipped effort went just over the bar.

 

In 10 minutes Calum Watson went on a dribbling run to the edge of the box and the ball broke to David Beedie to took a touch and sent a good left footed shot just over.

 

Roselea were getting on top at this stage and Ross had a good drive from the edge of the box well held by Buttars who had punched a corner clear just before in 15 minutes. A couple of minutes later Watson then had a snap-shot which was well enough hit but Buttars was well placed to hold.

 

Midway through the half the referee pulled play back for no advantage as Riach was brought down. Calum Watson took the kick and wasn’t to far away from 25 yards out.

 

As the half drew to a close Calum Rae progressed from his right back berth but could not get enough power & direction with his shot to trouble the visitors goal.

 

Half Time: Roselea 1 Lochee Utd 1

 

The first chance after the interval saw the lively Gates looking likely to score but the referee quite correctly gave a foul for a shirt pull on Rae and in any case Mcleod made a great block with his thigh to make sure.

 

Roselea had a chance on 60 mins when Watson swivelled in the middle of the pitch and sent a lovely through ball to Reid who managed to round the keeper but over ran the ball to prevent him shooting, the ball was then cleared as far as Riach but his first touch let him down with an open goal available.

 

The game was flowing end to end and becoming quite strung out, Lochee Utd thought they had broke with Blackwood who was poised to shoot but was correctly given offside.

 

Roselea made a change on 68 minutes with Watt coming on for Ross.

 

The game was still in the balance however Lochee Utd had a good spell when they forced a string of corners. Voight had a low drive from a tight angle well saved by Mcleod at his near post.

 

Reid then almost broke when Watson played a great ball to him but he was unlucky as the ball did not fall kindly for him as he broke away.

 

Roselea then threw Brand & Cruickshank on for Anderson & Reid in the last 10 mins to try and take the tie to their visitors.

 

In a late flurry Lochee Utd had three chances to win the tie. Hagan had a low drive well blocked by Mcleod then he had a free kick from 25 yards just go wide when it looked a certainty to be in. At the death the normally reliable Blackwood screwed a shot wide when he looked certain to score.

 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 1 Lochee Utd 1

 

The match then went straight to penalty kicks with Watson missing and Reid, Craig & R Taylor scoring for Roselea with Gates missing, Oleary & Hagan scoring and Blackwood missing to send Roselea into the next round with a 3-2 win.

 

As usual the lottery of penalty kicks was not the best way to win a game of football but Roselea can take a lot from the match and certainly matched their opponents who boast bags of Junior experience. Roselea had the upperhand in the first half with Lochee’s late surge perhaps costing them with the missed chances. Roselea will now enter the Inter Region part of the cup with the long trip to Portgordon Vics (Buckie) in the 3^rd Round on Sat March 9^th.  Roselea had some outstanding displays with some of the younger players relishing the experience.

Next week Roselea travel to Title favourites Kirrie Thistle who had a resounding 4-0 win over Forfar West End. The match kicks off at 2.30pm