MONTROSE ROSELEA V EDINBURGH UTD

MCBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE

SAT DECEMBER 6^TH 2014    

Roselea returned to Premier League action following two weeks rubbing shoulders with Linlithgow Rose of the Super League when they entertained the leaders Edinburgh Utd. There was a feeling that the two matches against Linlithgow should have helped the team to believe that they are in capable company in the Premier League. Edinburgh Utd are something of a surprise package having won the South Division and have had a great start to the Premier League however their away form was not as good as their home form which has seen them win all 6 games. 

Roselea had no fewer than three injury worries in the back four with Jo Reoch, Kyle Findlater and Ryan Tayler all requiring fitness tests with Reoch and Taylor being passed fit whilst Findlater was unable to start. 

A heavier than expected overnight frost put the game in doubt and the gamble not to have an inspection paid off when the thaw finally came around mid day allowing the game to go ahead. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Rae, Reoch, Whyte, R Taylor, Anderson, Collier, McDowell, Cruickshank, Reid & Watson. Subs: Mitchell, Smith, Tringham, P Taylor & Thomson

Roselea have had some early goals at Broomfield Park recently and almost scored in 18 seconds when Watson charged down a passback which keeper Swinburne kicked off him and went narrowly wide. 

Roselea were against the wind which had appeared from nowhere and were going to be under a bit of pressure. Reoch did well to get his head to a free kick and cleared in 4 minutes. 

In the 9^th minute Watson turned superbly in the box and onto his left foot and curled a great shot towards the far post which was only just off target. 

Utd attacked again and Mcleod had to push a very dangerous Inglis corner away in 12 minutes. 

In 16 minutes Roselea hit back and Watson and Reid combined with the latter electing to shoot high and wide into the wind with Watson looking for the pass into the box. 

Collier found himself the first booking of the game for going in hard on Miller despite getting the ball however the referee deemed it to be of the dangerous variety. 

Roselea should have taken the lead in 37 minutes when Reid sprung the offside trap. Cruickshank played an inch perfect pass which had Centre Half Miller toiling however he managed to get a slight touch which sent Reid through on goal but he elected to shoot early when he should have rounded the keeper. 

There was an identical chance at the other end two minutes later when Whyte lost possession allowing Fisher to break clear and he also went for the early shot which hit Mcleod in the face for a great save from the Roselea stopper. 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 0 Edinburgh Utd 0

Edinburgh Utd had the first chance of the second half when Hume broke free but a great stop from Mcleod prevented a goal in 50 minutes. 

Ryan Taylor pulled up and was replaced by Ross Mitchell in 58 minutes. 

Roselea took the lead on the hour mark with a deserved goal after a good spell of pressure. Mitchell won the ball and played it back to Rae and he sent in a great ball which just cleared the head of Miller to fall to James COLLIER who still had a work to do by looping a header over Swinburne from 12 yards. 

There was a great double chance for Roselea in 67 minutes when Watson and Reid both had shots from almost on the goal like cleared then a minute later the same thing happened with the same players involved again as somehow the Utd goal escaped unscathed. 

Roselea almost paid for the misses when a couple of minutes later Millar broke into the box and only another great save from Mcleod kept the home side in front. 

A second goal came for Roselea in 71 minutes to ease the tension on them. Watson broke on the left and crossed with his left to Dale REID who headed home at the far post.  

Mcleod had to dive at the feet of Fisher who cut in from the left and did well to keep Roselea two goals ahead. 

Andrew Tringham replaced Scott McDowell in 80 minutes. 

Edinburgh Utd got a late lifeline when they were awarded a penalty in the 85^th minute when replacement left back Cruickshank brought down Inlgis just inside the 18 yard box. INGLIS dusted himself down and sent Mcleod the wrong way from the spot to give Roselea something to think about for the last 5 minutes. 

Straight from Kick Off Watson poked the ball through to Dale Reid who went past Gilhooley inside the box. Gilhooley was red carded for a goal scoring opportunity before Michael CRUICKSHANK redeemed himself by striking a great penalty into the net. 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 3 Edinburgh Utd 1

 Roselea made it five straight wins in the League and for the fourth game have scored 3 goals. The win takes them up to 9^th place in what is a very tight League with them being 6 points off second top and also 6 points off second bottom! It was another good and patient performance from the team who are looking very tight at the back and creating chances up front. 

This week they will travel to the Warout Stadium to face Glenrothes who are currently in second bottom place and recently appointed Benny Andrew as Manager. This match Kicks off at 1.45pm. On Sat Dec 20^th Roselea will finish up before the two week festive break with a home match against bottom team Kinnoull who remain winless after 15 games. This match Kicks off at 1.30pm