MONTROSE ROSELEA v LIVINGSTON UTD

EAST PREMIER LEAGUE
SAT AUG 10^th 2013

 

Roselea having completed a satisfactory pre season campaign undefeated went into the opening Premier League game full of optimism facing one of the promoted sides from the South Division. This was Roselea’s fourth venture into this grade and from previous experience they knew that a good start is required if they are to cut it at this level. With 16 teams in the Division and four relegation places survival will be the main goal with promotion going to be very difficult against some quality sides.

 

On the playing side Ryan Taylor was injured and Michael Cruickshank unavailable so Manager Ralph Brand drafted in a Trialist at left back.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, Reoch, Richardson, Trialist, Anderson, Rae, Collier, Fletcher, Watson & Reid. Subs: Rausch, Riach, Gammie & Brand.

 

Roselea were up against it in the first couple of minutes when Livingston’s left winger tested Paul Taylor for pace and won a corner. The corner was curled in and despite Mcleod looking comfortable to hold he spilled and almost gave the visitors an early bonus but Reoch cleared with his head.

 

Two minutes later Mcleod had to be alert when Livingston’s tall striker was put through and although Mcleod blocked the shot offside had already been given.

 

The visitors took the lead in 6 minutes and although the warnings had been there it was a horrible deflection which beat Mcleod. The tall striker flicked the ball on to their centre forward and he layed the ball back into the patch of BURNS who shot from 25 yards and the ball took a deflection off Reoch to send the ball away from Mcleod into the corner of the net.

 

Livingston forced a couple of scrambles in the Roselea box which ended with the ball rebounding off their centre half and out to safety.

 

Roselea had their first real sight of goal in 14 minutes when Fletcher received a quick free kick and when his cross was cleared to Richardson the defender could not direct his shot on target.

 

In 15 minutes Collier flicked on an Anderson throw in and although Reid managed to rise well to head goalwards he couldn’t get enough power in to trouble the keeper.

 

In 18 minutes the Livingston left winger was lucky to stay on the field after he had a late lunge on Anderson who had got the better of a tussle for the ball but received a yellow card. From the free kick Watson was given offside when it must have been a tight decision.

 

Roselea, after a slow opening were coming more into things and forced a series of corners. In 28 minutes Roselea were awarded a penalty when Collier first headed the ball against a Livingston defender with a claim for handball then he crossed and the full back handled on the bye line with the referee this time awarding a spot kick. Watson stepped up and sent the ball low towards the corner but the ball lacked pace and the keeper made an excellent save to shatter the home sides hopes.

 

Roselea weren’t to be denied and they got they equaliser they deserved in 38 minutes. Another deep corner was headed back across goal by Collier and hit REOCH on the line and the ball bundled into the net.

 

Half Time Roselea 1 Livingston Utd 1

 

Both sides started the second half full of promise and Livingston were first to press however the Trialist full back for Roselea cleared. At the other end Reid harassed the defenders and managed to get a stabbed shot away but it went just off target.

 

Roselea went ahead in 55 minutes from another penalty. Anderson chased a lost cause as the ball headed to the corner flag and the big left back eventually tracked him back into the penalty box before bringing him down from behind. Dale REID was the man chosen this time and he smacked a very well hit ball past the keeper who had made a valiant effort to stop it.

 

Roselea were on a high and they had two further chances on 60 minutes. First, Reid broke down the right bye line and didn’t see Watson peel off and didn’t manage to pick him out before his own shot was blocked then Watson had his own chance but was thwarted when the keep stood firm to save.

 

Craig Anderson had yet another amazing run for a lost cause as the keeper went to gather in the corner flag as he covered 40 yards to put him under pressure. The keeper lost the ball and as Anderson drove towards the box they tangled with the free kick surprisingly going in the favour of the keeper.

 

Yet another penalty in 65 minutes saw Livingston draw level against the run of play this time it was more controversial. Livingstons number 8 was tripped by Richardson outside the box and the referee allowed him to see if an advantage was to be had and after 5 strides and seeing a shot away the referee pulled play back and awarded a penalty. FORBES gladly accepted the gift as any player would do and sent the penalty low and hard through Mcleods hands but the power prevented him making any contact.

 

Watson got in a header from a Fletcher cross but it was well held at the near post then Livingston’s right back floated in a cross that almost deceived Mcleod all in the 67^th minute.

 

Roselea desperately wanted to start with a win and looked to freshen things up when Gammie replaced Reid in 75 minutes.

 

Roselea couldn’t conjure up anything and as time drifted away there was a horrible feeling that the visitors might sneak the three points. After a header was narrowly headed wide in the 86^th minute the warning was not taken and MURPHY bundled home from close range in similar fashion to Reoch in the first half.

 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 2 Livingston Utd 3

 

This was a shattering blow to the start of the League campaign but also a harsh lesson that at this level teams need to be killed off when the chances come. In saying that they deserved at least a draw as a minimum for their performance and should take great heart from it. On this performance and a few breaks the squad have nothing to fear in the Premier League.

 

The team now play their only midweek match against Kirrie Thistle (Away) on Tuesday 13^th 7pm then travel to another side who were promoted last season when they head for Fife to meet Kirkcaldy YM with Kick Off being 2pm. Directions: Denfield Park, Den Road, Kirkcaldy, KY11 2ER