MONTROSE ROSELEA v EAST KILBRIDE THISTLE
Scottish Junior Cup 2nd Round Replay
Sat Nov 9th 2013

 

Roselea took East Kilbride Thistle back to Broomfield Park following their 1-1 draw the previous week. The match was fortunate to be played with the Show park very heavy with patches of water on most of the surface. Broomfield Park was unlikely to be anything like the condition of the previous week and a much different style of game was expected.

 

Roselea signed former player Danny Ross on the eve of the game as he returned from ACSC who top the Midlands Premier Amateur League and Stuart Richardson & Stewart Fletcher were both available having missed the first game. Missing were Jo Reoch & Calum Rae who were carrying injuries and James Collier was still unavailable. Manager Ralph Brand missed his first competitive match in 5 seasons as he took part in the Glen Clova Half Marathon so Steve Kerrigan took charge of the team. East Kilbride travelled full of spirit considering they had lost all their previous matches this season however with new Manager Alan Wardlaw coming in it was almost a new team which lined up in the first game. The winners had the added incentive of a home tie with Aberdeen East End on Sat Nov 23^rd awaiting.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Richardson, Duncan Reid, Anderson, Ross, Cruickshank, Dale Reid & Watson. Subs: Rausch, Thomson, Gammie, Fletcher

 

Broomfield Park was in great condition but and ever rising bitterly cold wind was going to make things very difficult for spectators and a low November sun would make it hard for keepers.

 

Of the two teams Roselea started sprightly and created a couple of good openings in the first ten minutes. In 4 minutes Anderson played a one-two with Watson with a great bursting run but didn’t seem to get enough on his shot and Aitken in the visitors goal did well to block. A minute later there was another skirmish in the Thistle box but when his first shot was blocked by a defender Dale Reid hit another shot which seemed to hit is team-mate Watson.

 

East Kilbrides no 7 was lucky to stay on the field after an off the ball fracas with Ryan Taylor in 9 minutes.

 

Cruickshank sent in a great free kick in 14 minutes but it was just out of reach for a home attacker then Dale Reid almost made an opening with a nice flick but Butler got back to tackle well.

 

There was controversy in 20 minutes when Danny Ross tackled Mackey of the visitors. A melee ensued with the Thistle player clearly punching Ross on the ground. The referee showed both players a red card but perhaps the yellow variety might have been suffice.

 

In 25 minutes Watson in typical style closed down the keeper and was unlucky to see his block going away from the goal.

 

Duncan Reid sent in a free kick which the excellent Butler again intercepted.

 

East Kilbride did not make much impression in the first half with only a header from Boyle giving Mcleod anything to do.

 

Roselea had one last chance in the first period when Cruickshank sent in a low swinging free kick and when a defender missed the ball it just sneaked past the post.

 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 0 East Kilbride Thistle 0

 

Thistle had the wind advantage in the second half and when Whyte fouled Boyle, Cruickshank had to clear from the free kick.

 

In 54 minutes Roselea had the best chance of the game. Ryan Taylor took off up the left hand side skipping past a couple of challenges and crossed to Duncan Reid who nodded the ball into the path of the incoming Whyte who volleyed over from 6 yards out.

 

In 58 minutes following a challenge at a corner Stuart Richardson had to leave the field of play when he broke his nose following a late challenge at a corner. He was replaced by Arron Thomson.

 

Roselea made another change in 70 minutes with Stewart Fletcher replacing Duncan Reid who had taken a heavy knock.

 

The next phase of the game was marred with late and off the ball tackles with Prete of the away side not being the most popular with the home support. There were several tackles worthy of a booking before referee Robertson showed a red card to Dallas in 79 minutes for a kick at Anderson.

 

Roselea started to press for the winner however there was a scare near the end when Cruickshank appeared to be fouled but the referee played on and saw Thistle four on one but Thomson did well to track back and make a great tackle to break play up.

 

Full Time; Montrose Roselea 0 East Kilbride Thistle 0 (Roselea win 3-1 on Penalties)

 

Penalty kicks prevailed and Paul Whyte was first up. Somehow he managed to loop the ball over the keeper after slipping and striking the ball with both feet! Ross Mcleod saved the first Thistle kick then Fletcher scored for Roselea. East Kilbride scored with their second then Watson slotted home. Butler missed for East Kilbride when he struck the bar then Cruickshank sent the ball high over the bar. It was Mcleod who saved Kilbrides fourth to send Roselea into Round 3 with a home tie against Aberdeen East End on Nov 23^rd.

 

East Kilbride Thistle came with a game plan to disrupt the play and it worked a treat for them. Roselea could not get their normal game going and struggled to create enough chances and could not finish the few that came along. At the end of the day they are through to Round three and have a great chance to progress past the Festive period with a kind draw. This week it is back to League business with another trip over the Forth to Dalkeith. A club bus will leave the Golf Inn at 10.30am supporters welcome but please contact a club official to keep numbers in check.