MONTROSE ROSELEA v DUNDEE EAST CRAIGIE

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SAT DEC 29^th 2012

 

Roselea were back on League business after an enforced weather break stringing back to November 24^th. Sitting 6 points behind League leaders North End they desperately needed a win over fellow promotion candidates East Craigie who are a much improved side this season. Ross Mcleod missed out attending a Wedding and 17 year old Dean Easton stepped in on loan from Montrose FC. The only other absentee for the home side was the suspended Craig Anderson who is serving his last game of a 3 match ban.

Despite the recent heavy rain Broomfield Park was in perfect condition thanks to the efforts of the Groundstaff.

 

Roselea: Easton, Rae, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Reid, Riach, Ross, Cruickshank, Watson & Collier. Subs: Milne, Urquhart, P Taylor , Brand & Craig.

 

In an even opening Craigie broke and his shot hit the rear of Ryan Taylor who then sent Cruickshank away and his cross was met by Watson who was in an offside position.

 

Roselea were needing a win and disaster struck in the 4^th minute. Craigie were awarded a free kick just 5 yards into the Roselea half however SMALL sent in a long free kick which deceived Easton in the home goal who had expected a cross. It was not clear if the shot was meant but it was still a great strike.

 

Cruickshank was looking lively for the Lea and on a couple of occasions got past his opposing player and put in dangerous crosses.

 

Easton was almost caught out again when a long clearance bounced awkwardly and luckily for him it was off target.

 

Roselea fell further behind on the 18^th minute. Small turned provider as he jinked his way down the line and put in a perfect cross for CONSTABLE to head home at the far post from 6 yards out.

 

Roselea had a penalty claim turned down in 28 minutes when Ross sent Reid down the right and Watson tumbled in the box as he attempted to head home with Cruickshank just a yard short when the ball broke at the back post.

 

Roselea were pressing East Craigie and their hard work paid off when they were awarded a penalty in 35 minutes when Watson was brought down by visiting keeper Adam who escaped a booking. Ross stepped up for the kick however his effort was high and wide of the target.

 

Roselea got back into the game in the 39^th minute with a goal after the penalty disappointment. Watson slid in with Adam and the ball broke to Ross outside the box and he shot just over however Adam followed through and a free kick was awarded. Adam was booked this time for his foul. James COLLIER was taking no prisoners with his dipping shot going through the wall and the sheer power beat Adam from 20 yards.

 

Scott Riach had a great speculative left footed shot from 35 yards that just cleared the Craigie bar in 43 minutes and that was the last of the first half action.

 

Half Time: Roselea 1 East Craigie 2

 

Roselea got the perfect start they wanted to the second half when Dale REID the on loan Montrose FC signing getting the equaliser in 48 minutes. The ball broke in the box and with keeper Adam looking the favourite to win the challenge Reid never gave up and the ball broke off him and into the net.

 

Roselea thought they had taken the lead in the 54^th minute when Whyte headed a Cruickshank corner goalwards and there were claims the ball had crossed the line as Craigie cleared.

 

East Craigie almost increased their lead in the 57^th minute when Small picked up a lose ball at the corner of the box and fired a great shot which was goalbound before Reoch got a slight touch with his head to divert the ball behind for a corner. Small took the corner and when the ball was cleared back to him he found Scrimegour in acres of room however he screwed his header wide to give Roselea another let off.

 

Roselea got back level in 64 minutes and it was REID again who got the important goal. Ryan Taylor had a great run from the left back area beating four men before cutting the ball back and after Watson dummied the ball fell to Reid who scored from close range.

 

It was a game where a one goal cushion was never going to be enough and Roselea thought they had scored a perfectly good goal when Reid headed home a Watson cross in 69 minutes. The Assistant had a different view on matters and raised his flag for a puzzling offside which denied Reid his hat trick.

 

Roselea had another chance to go further ahead in 74 minutes. This time Whyte challenged Adam at a corner and ball broke to half time sub Urquhart who volleyed over when he should have hit the target.

 

East Craigie had an immediate chance to equalise when danger man Small sent in a cross which hit the Roselea bar and Whyte had to be alert to clear the ball back into the box.

 

Play was swinging from end to end and Roselea had a further chance in 76 minutes. Adam came off his line to clear and only found Watson who couldn’t get a shot away early enough with the keeper stranded and when he did shoot McFarlane had got back to clear. The danger was not over and Reid picked up the loose ball before bringing a save out of Adam who turned behind for a corner.

 

In 79 minutes Roselea failure to close the game came back to bite them when Craigie were awarded a penalty after Ryan Taylor brought Hart down as he attempted to clear. SCRIMEGOUR stepped up showed Ross how to do it as he blasted the ball home.

 

Both sides had half chances as the game petered out with Ryan Taylor making amends for his penalty loss as he cleared the ball off the line with 2 minutes left.

 

Final Score: Montrose Roselea 3 East Craigie 3

 

Both teams will be disappointed with the result for various reasons. From a Roselea viewpoint it was the inability to finish the game off with a vital 4^th goal which would have sealed the three points. The decision to rule off Dale Reids header was vital with the player appearing to head home after he attacked the ball from an onside position. Results elsewhere meant Roselea did not lose ground with the leaders however both Forfar West End and Kirrie Thistle won meaning the race for the two promotion spots is becoming more difficult.

 

This week Roselea head to Coupar Angus for another League match which will kick off at 1.30pm. If the game is off Roselea will look for a fixture switch at Broomfield Park. See website and Facebook page for updates.