MONTROSE ROSELEA v KIRRIE THISTLE

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISON

SAT MAY 18^th 2013

 

Roselea faced the first of three games in what would be the biggest week in their history. Wins against Kirrie Thistle & Forfar Albion in the League and Jeanfield Swifts in the final of the GA Cup would surpass any achievements in the clubs history. Kirrie Thistle however had forged a two point advantage leading into the game and a win would secure the Title for them on the day. Despite Roselea winning their last 7 games in the League the Kirrie side had also kept up an impressive run to lead. The sides last met on the 2^nd March with a 3-3 draw being a fair result and was the last time Roselea did not take all three points.

 

Holidaying captain Paul Whyte aside the Management team of Ralph Brand & Doug Craig otherwise had a full compliment to pick from.

 

A strong northerly wind and driving rain would make conditions very difficult for both teams on a pitch which was looking top notch for the time of the year.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Reoch, Graham, Ross, Collier, Anderson, Rae, Watson & Reid. Subs: Watt, Beedie, Riach, Cruickshank & Brand

 

Roselea were playing into the wind and rain and it was no surprise when Kirrie took the game to them with Russell going narrowly wide with a 30 yard drive in 5 minutes then Farquharson should have opened the scoring with a header in 8 minutes.

 

Kirrie took the lead in 10 minutes from a free kick that Roselea felt aggrieved should have been theirs when Danny Ross appeared to be impeded as he attempted to clear. Robert SMITH took the kick from 22 yards and his low drive squirmed under Mcleod and into the net with the conditions playing a part.

 

It took Roselea 26 minutes to find a chance as they battled against the conditions. A clearance was intercepted by Ross and the ball broke to Reid however he was adjudged to be offside.

 

Roselea did get another chance two minutes later when Ryan Taylor fed Danny Ross down the left hand side and his switch found Anderson who struck a decent shot from the corner of the 18 yard box but Stewart was well placed to handle well.

 

Graham gave away a foul in the corner in 34 minutes and Smiths whipped ball went just past the post.

 

Roselea would have been happy to go in one down at half time but Kirrie had other ideas and added a second in 40 minutes. A long ball caught out the Roselea defence as it bounced through and SIEVEWRIGHT did well to shoot home from a very tight angle.

 

Things were looking bad for Roselea but they got a lifeline in 43 minutes when Farquharson of the visitors was shown a red card for a stamp on Craig Anderson leaving them with 10 men.

 

Half Time: Roselea 0 Kirrie Thistle 2

 

Roselea made a change at the break with Cruickshank replacing Ross in an attempt to take the game to Kirrie.

 

Crucikshank had his first involvment in 53 minutes when he took a free kick 25 yards out but Stewart held ball well.

 

Roselea were pressing Kirrie and got a goal back in 55 minutes. Calum Watson picked the ball up 25 yards out and played it out to Craig ANDERSON and he cut in before drilling a curling shot with the outside of his right foot to pull Roselea right back into things.

 

Reid had a great chance to level from a corner 5 minutes later but he blasted over from close range under pressure.

 

Roselea got the game level in 67 minutes when a great cross found Calum WATSON at the back post and he directed the ball beyond Stewart into the net.

 

Kirrie have another blow against them in 70 minutes when keeper Stewart had to leave the field of play and was replaced by outfield player Russell.

 

In 80 minutes Roselea have a let off at one end when Anderson sliced a clearance from a corner before it was scrambled clear by Reoch and he stormed to the other end playing a 1-2 with Watson before spreading the ball wide to Reid who elected to cross rather than testing the stand in keeper and the danger was gone.

 

Roselea kept pushing for the winner that would almost guarantee the Title however they couldn’t find the killer pass and disaster struck 4 minutes into stoppage time. Sievewright broke on the right and squared for the in rushing MILLAR who scored from close range and send the Kirrie players and support into raptures.

 

Final Score: Montrose Roselea 2 Kirrie Thistle 3

 

In a classic game of two halves Kirrie Thistle probably just deserved their victory however it was a sickening winner to lose. A draw would have kept Roselea in with a shout of the Title but nobody could grudge Kirrie Thistle being champions. Roselea can now make sure of promotion with a win over Forfar Albion (H) on Monday 18^th KO 7.15pm. They can also make it the most successful in the Clubs history with a win in the GA Cup Final however that will be tough against Jeanfield Swifts. The final will be played at Whitton Park the home of Broughty Athletic on Sat May 25^th KO 2.30pm