Montrose Roselea

Tayside Premier League Arbroath SC v Montrose Roselea Roselea made the journey to play Arbroath SC on Wednesday knowing that only a win would keep alive their chances of winning the league. The team was forced into a number of changes with Findlater, McKellar, Simpson and Strachan all missing. Roselea: McLeod, Craig, Whyte C. Masson, H. Smith, Keith(Forbes), Miller, Watson, Clayton, Page(Christie), Longmuir(P.Masson). Subs: Croall, Wands. ASC had the first serious attack of the game when Low got through on goal but McLeod saved his shot at the expense of a corner. In 15 minutes another good chance for the home side when McSkimming sent in a dangerous cross and Roselea just managed to clear from the inrushing Warren Another dangerous move for ASC as Low and Kenny linked up well and Kenny had a shot which went narrowly past the post. Roselea won a corner after good work by Longmuir set up Watson but the striker had his shot blocked and from the resultant kick the ball fell to Chris Masson whose attempt was also blocked. In 24 minutes Roselea took the lead. After some nice play from Watson, the striker played in Page, and as ASC appealed for offside, the midfield man coolly lobbed the keeper to open the scoring. Watson then dragged a shot wide of goal after good play from Clayton as Roselea were now settling into the game. In 35 minutes another good brake by Roselea ended with Watson’s low cross just evading Clayton at the back post. HALF TIME – ARBROATH SC 0 ROSELEA 1 Roselea started the second half brightly and a mix up in the ASC defence allowed Clayton a shot which went narrowly over the bar. At the other end Whyte headed the ball off the line after McLeod failed to hold an inswinging corner. Roselea had an escape when Miller lost possession, but McLeod made a good save at the expense of a corner. In 70 minutes Craig came close to adding to the lead when good play from Watson set him up but his controlled shot went narrowly past. Roselea were now looking threatening as every attack looked menacing, with Watson and Clayton giving ASC defence plenty problems. ASC goalkeeper Cormack had a lucky escape when Watson pounced on a short pass back but the keeper got the break of the ball and cleared the danger. McLeod was the called upon to make a good diving save from a header by Warren as ASC tried to rally. In 83 minutes excellent play from the impressive Page set up Watson and his drive went narrowly over the bar. Minutes later Roselea went two up as Miller and Craig combined on the right and when the cross came over Watson headed into the corner of the net. Roselea played out the last few minutes without alarm to record a good victory. FULL TIME – ARBROATH SC 0 ROSELEA 2 This was a vital win to keep pressure on fellow contenders for the league title as with only four fixtures left maximum points must be the target East Craigie is the next league opponents in a double header, firstly in Dundee on Wednesday then at Broomfield Park on Saturday. Kick Off 2.30 pm.