MONTROSE ROSELEA v BRECHIN VICS

MCBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SAT SEPT 8^th 2012

Montrose Roselea and Brechin Vics faced up to each other in what was a top of the table clash following both sides opening days wins. Brechin Vics had trounced Coupar Angus 8-0 whilst Roselea beat Blairgowrie 4-1.  Both teams had players missing due to the wedding of Graeme Allan. Chris Milne & Craig Anderson of Roselea and Sean Whitworth & Ally Duff of Vics were all attending although Anderson was serving the second of a three match suspension. Roselea also had injury worries with Michael Cruickshank and Danny Ross both requiring fitness tests. On the plus side Ewan Graham made a surprise return for the home side.  

On a glorious day for wedding never mind football the Roselea Ground staff had Broomfield Park looking immaculate and conditions were perfect for a great game of football. The 1pm kick avoided a clash with the Scotland v Serbia match and a healthy crowd was present. 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Graham,  Urquhart, Rae, Cruickshank, Watson, Collier. Subs: Riach, Brand, Craig, Ross & Fletcher.

Roselea kicked off with the wind at their backs and quickly put Vics under pressure with a few corners however with a strong breeze, two of these did not stay in play from Rae & Cruickshank. 

Vics had their first foray into the Roselea half when Barker pulled the ball down and ran at the home defence however with Myles available wide he elected to shoot and scooped over. 

Roselea were on top but it wasn’t until they got in front after having a string of close shaves. Calum WATSON received a ball to his feet and cleverly turned and shot low through the legs of the defender to make it 1-0 to the home side.  

Roselea again piled on the pressure and created more chances and only some good defending and a great save by Robbie from Urquhart with the ball heading right into the top corner of the net. 

Roselea’s pressure finally paid off when COLLIER bravely dived headed an Urquhart cross into the net from close range in 38 minutes. 

Right on half time Roselea got a third from danger man Watson. Ryan Taylor went on a great run from the half way line passing Gauld before slipping the ball into WATSON who had his first shot blocked by Robbie before stabbing home with a quick reaction. 

There were three minutes added before the first half came to a close with Roselea totally dominating the half and in the driving seat. 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 3 Brechin Vics 0

Now facing the wind Roselea started off where they left at the interval with Laing having to get in a timely tackle to prevent Collier shooting in 47 minutes. 

In 49 minutes Watson had a chance to get his third and put the 3 points beyond doubt after Urquhart squared however it was not an easy chance and he put the ball past the post. 

In 55 minutes Paul Taylor won the ball on the half way line and in doing so found Watson at the other end however he was given offside with the referee being in a difficult position to judge. 

Calum WATSON got the hat-trick he was hunting in the 58th minute from the penalty spot. Cairney was unlucky to handle in the box but it was a clear penalty and Watson sent a low penalty past Robbie who made a valiant effort to stop the ball. 

Roselea made a double sub in 70 minutes with Calum Watson & Robert Urquhart being replaced by Stewart Fletcher & Scott Riach.

Roselea had a scare when a dangerous corner was almost missed by Mcleod who got a slight sciff to send it over for another corner at the opposite side. 

Roselea had an enforced change in 73 minutes when Ryan Taylor was injured as he fell to the ground and had to be stretchered off. Veteran co Manager Doug Craig replaced him. 

Roselea made it 5-0 in 80 minutes. Fletcher who had looked lively since he came on played a clever ball to Collier with the outside of his foot and Colliers crossed was turned in at close range by Scott RIACH.  

The veteran Craig almost got his name on the score sheet when Collier held the ball up for him before laying the ball in his path but he blasted over, As time was running down Urquhart had a volley just wide of the upright and Collier also had a shot hit the side netting as Roselea dominated with Mcleod a virtual spectator at the other end. 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 5 Brechin Vics 0

Referee- Steven Traynor

After a promising start Brechin Vics petered out of this as a contest with Roselea winning all the lose balls. Once the first goal went in it was one way traffic and for long periods Ross Mcleod was not involved in the Lea goal.  The win takes Roselea to the top of the table and the only negative was the injury to Ryan Taylor which might mean the defender is out of action for some time. 

On Saturday 15^th September Roselea travel to play Lochee Harp at Dundee, KO 2.30pm then entertain Arniston Rangers at home in the East of Scotland Cup on 22^nd before another home League match v Coupar Angus on the 29^th.