LOCHEE HARP v MONTROSE ROSELEA

EAST REGION NORTH DIVISION

SAT AUG 28^th 2010 

Roselea travelled to Beechwood Park to face Lochee Utd in their second League match of the season. Looking to build on their opening day victory over Brechin Vics Manager Brand made a couple of changes with Urquhart & Strachan replacing Miller & Hood in the starting line up. Beechwood Park was surprisingly heavy and there was a good covering of grass although long in places. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Mustard, Whyte, Graham, Reid, Reoch, Rae, Urquhart, Strachan, Watson & Riach. Subs: David Craig, Barclay, Kennedy, Miller, Brand & Hood. 

Roselea were awarded a free kick in 3 minutes when Riach was bundled to the ground but Grahams free kick was off range. 

Lochee Harp won the first of several corners they had in the first half in 10 minutes and a dangerous ball went across the face of the Roselea goal with Mcleod failing to connect. 

Sean Mustard sent Riach away in 15 minutes but he took the ball to wide and could not direct his shot on goal.

Play was being bogged down in the middle of the park but Watson got the next chance in 24 minutes but was again off target. Watson had another chance in 34 minutes when he flicked a ball on but it was knocked back out to him and McPherson was well placed to deal with the big strikers shot. 

Reoch sent in a dangerous cross in 41 minutes and the Harp defence had to be alert to clear the danger. Lochee Harp had a penalty claim on 42 minutes when Lees rounded Mcleod and went down but the referee could see no wrong in the challenge. Right on half time Roselea had the closing chance when Watson flicked a ball cleverly back with Reoch just waiting to pounce. 

Half Time: Lochee Harp 0 Roselea 0

Roselea started the second half with Kennedy on for Reid as the Manager changed the formation to try and exert some pressure on the homesters. 

Lochee Harp should have done better with the first chance of the half in 50 minutes. Riach under pressure gave the ball away to Williamson who weaved his way into the box and his chipped shot should have been more troublesome to Mcleod but it was cleared from the byeline. 

Roselea took a deserved lead in 56 minutes that their play merited.  Watson flicked a throw on to Reoch and his perfectly weighted cross was met by the head of Riach who strongly headed past Mcpherson for a great goal.

 In 70 minutes Aitken replaced Strachan for Roselea.

Riach of Roselea and Williamson of Harp both had chances but again the killer touch was lacking in front of goal. Hood replaced Riach in 75 minutes and quickly picked up a booking for a late tackle.  

Hood broke away in the 90^th minute and after delaying a great chance to shoot he cut back again to create an opening which saw his shot hit the base of the post and come back out with McPherson also getting a touch on it.  As Roselea looked to run down the 5 minutes of injury time Watson broke clear of the Harp defence before slotting a very calm finish past McPherson and secured the points for the Lea. 

Full Time: Lochee Harp 0 Montrose Roselea 2 

Roselea thoroughly deserved this win and were patient enough to wait for the breaks to come. The defence get top marks for showing great desire in winning their battles and not wanting to give anything away. They gave Mcleod in the Roselea goal little to do apart from handling some crosses very well. Harp were hard to break down and the surface did not help and encourage good football to be played. 

This Saturday Roselea are at home to East Craigie in their third League match with a 2.30pm kick off. There is still some Hospitality places available for the Boness Utd Cup tie on Saturday Sept 11^th. Please contact Roy Gill on 07908763219 for more details. 

Sunday Sept 5^th will see the DundeeUtd Legends visit Broomfield for Matt Miller & Colin Pages Testimonial which kicks off at 3pm. Entry is by cash at turnstiles with £4 for adults and £2 for concessions. The proceeds will be donated to the Rhys Allan Trust.    

East Region North Division