Montrose Roselea

MONTROSE ROSELEA v EAST CRAIGIE

SAT SEPT 4th 2010

EAST REGIONS SJFA NORTH DIVISION

Roselea hosted Dundee East Craigie in their third  League match of the season having recorded wins against Lochee Harp and Brechin Vics whilst scoring 3 and conceding nil in the process. A superb display in a midweek friendly against Forfar Athletic at Station Park gave optimism that things we starting to happen with the side. An interested spectator was former Grade One referee Mike Pocock who was present to supervise match referee William Ferguson. Pocock refereed a Roselea Scottish Cup tie in 1987 against Auchinleck Talbot at Links Park which Roselea lost 5-2. Infamously he sent off brothers Brian and Steve Aitken during the first half of the match. Roselea of course have Steves son Joe in their side now.

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

Roselea kicked off facing a breeze on what was a warm and at times sunny day. Roselea didnt have to wait long for the opening goal which came courtesy of a WHYTE header from a Doug Craig free kick in 2 minutes. Roselea doubled their lead in 4 minutes to leave Craigie shell shocked. A corner was cleared as far as Ryan STRACHAN who volleyed home from 20 yards giving Harris in the visitors goal no chance.

In 11 minutes Chalmers was allowed to advance into the Roselea half from the left back area and his left foot shot although well hit was off target.

Roselea were on top and took a 3-0 lead in 25 minutes. Strachans initial shot was blocked and fell to RAE 25 yards out and his volley into the top corner was unstoppable.

In 30 minutes David Craig made a welcome return to the side replacing the unlucky Urquhart who picked up a knock.

West broke for Craigie and almost got on the end of a one-two on the edge of the Roselea box but Doug Craig read the situation and cleared.

Ryan Strachan sent in a vicous cross in 39 minutes and although Hood did well to steer goalwards Harris was well positioned to hold.

Half Time: Roselea 3 East Craigie 0

East Craigie were almost give a life line in the 50th minute when Graham was caught in possesion and Welsh broke clear only for Mcleod to save his shot.

Roselea were being patient and had loads of possesion. Rae had a shot from distance that Harris needed two attempts to get under control.

Roselea took a four goal lead with a fantastic goal in 58 minutes. Doug Craig found Reoch with a 50 yard cross field pass, Reoch laid the ball back to Mustard and his first time deep cross was met by a Hood diving header and although Harris did well to stop it WHYTE was well placed to follow up from close range.

In 63 minutes Gavin Reid replaced the tiring Doug Craig.

In 68 Minutes Wilson who had just been booked for a stamp on Hood received his marching orders after again bringing down Hood on the edge of the box. Strachans free kick managed to find the heart of the Craigie wall.

Joe Aitken replaced Lee Hood in 72 minutes.

Whyte went on a run and chipped the ball to Rae in the box and Riach should have done better from the cushioned header.

Aitken won a penalty for Roselea after being brought down in the box with no arguments from the Craigie side. Paul WHYTE was allowed to take the kick to complete his hat trick and did so in style thumping the ball high into the postage stamp corner.

Aitken won a second penalty right on time this time being brutally brought down by hay who could have no arguments. This time normal spot kick taker Ewan GRAHAM stepped up and although Harris got a hand to it he managed to score.

Final Score: Montrose Roselea 6 East Craigie 0

Although East Craigie looked flat after their poor opening Roselea still had to go out and do the business and they did. Another clean sheet means 270 minutes without losing a goal. The win takes them to the top of the table equal on poinst with Dundee Violet. Roselea now get a weeks break from League action when Super League Title holders Boness Utd come to Broomfield Park for an East of Scotland 1st Round cup tie on Saturday Sept 11th. The match kicks off at 2.30pm. Boness visited Montrose in Oct 2009 in a Scottish Cup tie and ran out 3-2 winners.