Montrose Roselea

 DJ Laing League Cup Holders Montrose Roselea made the short journey to Victoria Park Brechin to start their bid to retain the trophy.

After a reasonably successful pre season build up the expectations were high. Injuries to David Craig, Colin Page and Mark Fotherhingham meant that the selection options were limited. Victoria Park was in excellent condition and it was a hot summer evening as the teams took to the pitch. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Miller, Doug Craig, Whyte, Graham, Reoch, Rae, Mustard, Strachan, Hood & Watson. Subs: McKellar, Aitken, Riach, Brand, Urquhart & Mitchell. 

Roselea took the game to Brechin Vics in the early stages and Robbie in the home goal had to be alert to tip over a Hood header. Watson and Hood both went close again. Strachan sent in some great crosses and corners but Robbie was again in great form and managed to deal with them.  

McNaught broke free for Brechin Vics but Mcleod stood his ground and had an excellent save.   

Hood then had a great strike which hit the underside of the cross bar and bouncing on the line before the ball was scrambled clear.   

In 31 minutes Vics took the lead against the run of play. McNaught again played on the shoulder of the Roselea defence and finished well lobbing the ball over Mcleod and into the net.  

Roselea again piled on the pressure and had several chances with Whytes header from point blank range being the pick of them. 

Half Time: Brechin Vics 1 Roselea 0

Roselea started the second half looking for the vital goal to start their revival but found a stubborn Brechin defence who did not want to lose anything.

Vics further shocked their opponents when a poorly struck Craig free kick found its way to Mcnaught in 51 minutes and again the striker finished well past the advancing Mcleod. 

Roselea were rattled but it spurred them into action and Watson went close with a stabbed effort from short range. Hood finally got the goal Roselea’s play merited as he managed to powerfully header a McKellar cross into the net. Roselea huffed and puffed and created plenty of chances but could not find a way past the Vics rearguard who also rode their luck at times.  

Fyfe almost added a third for the home side as he found himself in plenty of space with Roselea pressing for the equaliser but he lobbed the ball just wide of the post. 

Final Score: Brechin Vics 2 Roselea 1

Brechin Vics thoroughly deserved their win as they fought hard and looked to have more desire than their visitors. Roselea had enough chances to win several games especially in the early stages and that is what cost them the match. This was Vics first win over Roselea in nearly fifteen years and a difficult one to take.