Montrose Roselea

Tayside Premier League Montrose Roselea v Coupar Angus Broomfield Park, Saturday 21 January 2006 Roselea entertained Coupar Angus for their first home league game of 2006 and with last weeks disappointing exit from the OVD Scottish Junior Cup, it was hoped that a return to winning ways would continue their title push. From last weeks side two further enforced changes had to be made with injuries to Colin Page and Matt Miller adding to Scott Findlater still out, with Wayne Keith returning and Chris Simpson starting, also Jai Clayton replacing James McKellar in the starting 11. Roselea: McLeod, Craig, Whyte, H Smith, Longmuir, Clayton, Watson, Keith, Strachan, Simpson, Forbes Subs: Croall, Crawford, Christie, McKellar, Wands Roselea started on the attack and within the first minute a good run down the right by Clayton who then released Forbes but his shot from 16 yards went wide. Coupar Angus had their first opportunity in five minutes when a mix-up between Clayton and Craig allowing their striker an opportunity but Smith cleared the danger at the expense of a corner. Strachan then had a good run down the left before passing to Keith who beat his opponent before having an effort at goal easily saved by the Coupar Angus goalkeeper. Coupar Angus then had a five minute spell of pressure in which time they had two good opportunities but both ended up being wasted. In 15 minutes Forbes had an effort for Roselea turned round the post for a corner and Whyte headed wide from the resultant kick. Roselea opened the scoring minutes later as two Coupar Angus defenders got in a mix-up from a free-kick by Strachan, and Eric Watson pounced to flick the ball past the advancing keeper. Apart from an occasional break by Coupar Angus, Roselea were now taking control and creating numerous chances. From one of these breakaways Coupar Angus forced McLeod to make a good diving save down to his right to keep Roselea in front. Roselea were now stretching the game with Clayton and Strachan on each flank and Watson dictating the play in the centre of midfield. It came as no surprise that in 37 minutes Roselea doubled their lead with a powerful 25 yard drive from Watson giving the Coupar Angus goalkeeper no chance. Roselea then increased their lead further just before half-time when from a Strachan perfectly flighted free-kick, Whyte rose above everybody to plant a header in the top corner of the net. Roselea continued to dominate into the second half and came as no shock when they added number four, Forbes beat his opponent on the right then crossed where Simpson had a header blocked and Watson followed up to side foot the ball into the back the net and complete his well earned hat-trick. In 55 minutes Roselea had a good claim for a penalty turned down when Forbes appeared to be bundled off the ball in the box, but no decision was given. Roselea were now totally dominating and Clayton had a good long range effort well saved by the goalkeeper. Roselea made their first change of the match bringing Crawford on to replace Keith. Roselea were then awarded a penalty kick after Forbes was adjudged to have been brought down in the box. He picked himself up and confidently sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 5-0 on 62 minutes. Four minutes later a rampant Roselea scored again when from a free-kick just outside the penalty area on the right hand side, Strachan’s delivery was flicked home at the near post by Forbes for his second in the space of five minutes. Roselea made two further changes taking goal scorers Watson and Forbes off to be replaced by Croall and Christie. These changes did not affect Roselea’s flowing football and in 70 minutes came close to adding number seven, when the dangerous Clayton’s cross just eluded Simpson and was turned behind for a corner. Clayton was now causing allsorts of trouble to the Coupar Angus defence and almost scored in 77 minutes after setting up and almost finishing the move. In 88 minutes Roselea finished an excellent performance off with number seven after a defender handled a Croall cross in the box and Clayton sprinted thirty yards to make sure he was to take the spot kick on his birthday. The confident winger calmly slotted the spot kick home to complete the onslaught. This was excellent performance to wipe away the disappointment of the previous week’s cup exit and maintain their League title challenge. Roselea host Jeanfield Swifts at home in the East of Scotland KIA cup this Saturday at Broomfield Park, kick off 1.45pm and hope for another good victory before heading off to their Annual Sportsman’s Dinner in the evening.