MONTROSE ROSELEA v FORFAR ALBION

DJ LAING CUP SECTION

SAT AUGUST 11^th 2012 

Roselea finally made a return to competitive action after a break of four months which is the longest known in recent history. New signings Calum Watson, Graeme Allan, Danny Ross, Michael Cruickshank and Chris Milne bolstered the squad which also saw five players depart from last season. Broomfield Park was in excellent condition for the match. A win was a must in a Group including Arbroath Vics and Blairgowrie who would both be faced away from home in the coming Saturdays. A very promising pre season gave optimism that Roselea could be a contender in all competition this season. 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Urquhart, Rae, Anderson, Cruickshank, Watson & Aitken. Subs:  Kennedy, Allan, Milne, Ross, & Riach. 

It was a perfect day for football at Broomfield with a gentle breeze and close conditions. The pitch was in great condition thanks to the work of the Roselea groundstaff over the summer. 

Roselea got off to a dream start with a goal within 90 seconds. A Cruickshank free kick was headed by Paul Whyte goalwards and keeper Cargill palmed the ball onto the bar and back off into the direction of Calum WATSON who had the simple task of heading home from a yard. This was the result of a well-rehearsed move. 

Roselea were carrying on the form showed in the pre season and Urquhart should have got more on a header before Cruickshank flashed a shot across the bows of the keeper all within the first five minutes. In 8 minutes Watson had another chance when he had an overhead kick saved by Cargill after Urquhart had headed back another Cruickshank cross. 

Roselea were well on top but it was a spell of pressure from Albion that led to the second goal in 19 minutes. A poor Albion cross led to Calum Watson picking up the ball in his half before playing a delightful diagonal ball to CRUICKSHANK who after a poor first touch managed to compose himself before shooting through the legs of Cargill from 16 yards. 

There was a controversial moment in 24 minutes when Cruickshank weaved his way along the by-line and cut back to Anderson to shoot however play was pulled back for a foul on the winger much to Roselea’s dismay. 

A couple of minutes later Reynolds of Albion was carried off after he jarred his knee in a collision. It was later discovered he has damaged ligaments and will be out of action for some time. 

In 31 minutes Roselea’s dominance continued and a third goal was scored by URQUHART. Winger Cruickshank was having a great debut and yet another cross was headed at the far post back across the body of Cargill and into the net. Urquhart had another header saved in 34 minutes when Aitken flicked on a Cruickshank cross and this time Cargill saved well. 

Just before half time Roselea made it four when some slack marking from a corner saw the ball break to URQUHART who poked home his second from close range. 

As the teams left the field tensions between Albion keeper Cargill and central defender Paton which had been simmering during the half boiled over and the match referee was left with no option but to show both players red cards much to the annoyance of their team mates. 

Half Time: Roselea 4 Albion 0  

Roselea made two changes at half time with Ross and Riach replacing strikers Aitken and Watson. Playing against 9 men Roselea were always going to have the bulk of the ball but a resilient Albion were making things difficult for them.

The first breakthrough came in 55 minutes when Urquhart was tugged as he shot and a penalty awarded. Urquhart was given the ball to give him a hatrick but sentiment was proved to be wrong when he blasted the kick high over the bar. 

In 62 minutes Ross had a snap shot saved after he hit a Paul Whyte chest down goalbound and from the corner Whyte then had a header saved. ROSS did get his debut goal in the 62^nd minute when he showed calmness and good footwork to work an opening and shot home from 12 yards with his left foot. 

Graeme Allan replaced Paul Taylor 73 minutes.

In 77 minutes a brilliant dipping cross was met by a diving header from Whyte who was desperate to score but his normally reliable head missed the target. It would have been a great goal considering the power it was met with. 

Roselea finally broke the Albion fight with a great goal in 81 minutes. Urquhart met the bye line and sent over a cross which RIACH met with a diving header at the near post. 

RIACH doubled his tally in the final minute with a second headed goal to complete the scoring. 

Final Score: Montrose Roselea 7 Forfar Albion 0 

This was the start and result Roselea were looking for however the bizarre sending off at half time ended the game as a contest and as always it is difficult to play against 9 men. With Arbroath Vics and Blairgowrie drawing in the other section match it gives Roselea the early advantage in the Group. There were some good debuts with Michael Cruickshank getting some great crosses in and was the pick of the bunch. Match & Ball Sponsor was Anne Reoch & Friends 

Roselea now travel to Ogilvy Park Arbroath on Satuday 18^th to face Arbroath Vics who will be wanting to claim their own chances with a win. This match kicks off at 2.30pm. Roselea’s final Section match is also away and is against Blairgowrie on Sat Aug 25^th.