MONTROSE ROSELEA v ST ANDREWS UTD

MCBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE

SAT AUG 23^RD 2014

 

Roselea faced St Andrews Utd in their fourth Premier League match of the season and would be up against an unbeaten team sitting on 7 points. Roselea were looking for a win to bolster their position having had one draw in their opening 3 games.

 

Roselea were boosted by Andrew Tringham being available due to his delayed departure for work and James Collier & Scott McDowell who had been nursing injuries both made the bench.

 

Despite some risk of rain the match kicked off in bright sunshine although there was a cold breeze lurking when the cloud cover came.

 

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

 

Roselea broke from a long Cruickshank ball in 4 minutes and Watson nipped in to take the ball away from keeper Hayles however that took him wide before he forced a corner. The loppy corner was easily cleared by the St Andrews rearguard.

 

St Andrews Utd took the lead in the 9^th minute with a superbly taken goal. Andrew Tringham lost possession in midfield and the ball was played over the top catching the Roselea defence out and Robbie HOLDEN produced a wonderful volley from the corner of the 18 yard box and found the corner of the net.

 

Roselea then had a let off when Holden had a chance for a second in 16 minutes when the ball was cut back to him 8 yards out but he did not catch the ball so well this time and Mcleod saved easily.

 

Roselea had the next chance in the 20^th minute. A long Anderson was flicked on by Watson who was having great success in the air and Reid’s first time left footed half volley went just over. Calum Watson went close himself 3 minutes later when he just failed to head a Mitchell cross goalwards.

 

In 27 minutes Paul Whyte was then just off target when he headed a Cruickshank header wide.

 

Roselea had another corner but the real danger came when Holden picked up the loose ball and ran 70 yards before trying to find Buchan but a brilliant tackle from Tringham cured the problem.

 

In 33 minutes McLeod had to two handed punch a vicious Buchan effort away with the ball moving around.

 

Roselea then had three chances to square things. Watson crossed but the ball was agonisingly just over the arriving Cruickshank then Watson himself spun on the edge of the box before firing in a 25 yarder that Hayles had to save at the second attempt. In 38 minutes Whyte had a header just go off target but when the ball fell to Reid his shot was expertly blocked by the St Andrews defence.

 

In 41 minutes Dale Reid had the best chance of the half for Roselea. Watson who was having great success in the air flicked on a Taylor ball sending Reid clear on the left but instead of driving directly into the box he tried to cut across the arriving defender and the chance was gone.

 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 0 St Andrews Utd 1

 

There had been a number of contentious decisions in the first half and Roselea got a real break when Sibanda and Holden combined with the former being given offside when it looked like he had timed his run well.

 

Roselea made a switch with James Collier coming on for Dale Reid.

 

In 60 minutes Roselea had another glorious chance to get back into the game. Watson picked up the ball 35 yards out and played a perfectly weighted ball in behind the full back setting Cruickshank up but he was thwarted by a great save from Hayles.

 

In 65 minutes Watson fairly challenged the keeper and when the ball broke to Collier on a great saving tackle from McGuire prevent a goal.

 

St Andrews were pegged back and their only threat came from a long range Patrick effort from 30 yards which rose over the bar in 75 minutes.

 

Roselea made another change with Findlater coming on for Cruickshank.

 

Roselea kept pressing and ended up having no luck as only two headed clearances off the line and a great save from the keeper all in stoppage time handed St Andrews the points. Collier had a header from a corner headed off the line with the Roselea players claiming the ball had crossed. Paul Whyte out jumped the keeper next and again he saw the ball cleared off the line. In the dying seconds James Collier sent a low curling shot which looked to be going in but somehow Hayles got the littlest of touches to send the ball behind for a corner. As in the previous week lady luck deserted Roselea again.

 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 0 St Andrews Utd 1

 

This was another cruel defeat for Roselea who just did not seem to get the rub of the green their determined performance merited. In saying that it was a top class finish that won the points for St Andrews from Holden. There were a number of great performances from the men in green and the grandstand finish served up some excitement for the fans.

 

Alan Robb of Premier Stores, Northesk Road presented Ryan Taylor of Roselea with his Man of the Match award as Match Sponsor for the day.

 

Roselea now head to Bathgate who are sitting one point ahead of Roselea and have also had an indifferent start to the season. Roselea slipped down to second bottom and a win would be a big help. The Roselea bus will leave the Golf Inn at 11.15am and Supporters are welcome to travel.