EAST REGION NORTH LEAGUE

SAT MARCH 19^th 2011 

Roselea travelled to Dundee to face East Craigie in their 15^th League match buoyed by their narrow win over local rivals Arbroath Vics. Although Roselea had beaten East Craigie 5-0 in the corresponding fixture the Dundee side had improved and a notable 4-1 victory over League leaders Downfield in February was one to take notice of.  Roselea’s injury problems are receding and Paul Whyte made a welcome return to the squad although Lee Hood passed a late fitness test after suffering from a hamstring problem whilst David Craig missed out for the same problem. Matt Miller was unavailable. This only left Ewan Graham and Colin Page out as the absentees.  

Roselea:Mcleod, Colquhoun, Doug Craig, Mustard, Reoch, Reid, Rae, Fotheringham, Urquhart & Collier. Subs: Aitken, Riach, Whyte, Brand, Watson, Strachan & Craig.

Roselea kicked off on a soft but rather bumpy Craigie Park which was being cooled by a very chilly cross wind. Roselea had the first shot on goal with Hoods 25 yard effort barely troubling the keeper. 

In 5 minutes Rae lost the ball in the middle of the park but again the shot from the Craigie player hardly tested Mcleod. East Craigie were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position when Colquhoun dived in but the ball was driven high over the bar. 

Roselea were getting more involved in the game and forced a couple of corners then Rae played a ball into Collier who tried to chest it into the path of Fotheringham and just failed. 

The pitch was taking some very bad bobbles and led to a mistake by Doug Craig for the opening goal in 12 minutes. He was caught in possession and when Welsh’s cross was not properly cleared by Colquhoun, CHALMERS pounced at the far post to give the homesters the lead. 

Two minutes later Collier had a chance to equalise and his shot went just over the bar. Hood then cut along the by-line and his chipped cross was cut out for a corner with Collier looking for a driven ball. Roselea forced the equaliser from the corner in 16 minutes. Malone the home keeper came for the ball and dropped it at the feet of Lee HOOD who made no mistake from 6 yards out. 

In 20 minutes Roselea almost made it two after Urquhart headed another dangerous Craig corner wide when he had the whole target to aim at. Roselea created the next chance on the half hour mark when Rae out Colquhoun down the line and his great cross was cut out by Malone.Roselea were dominating the game now and were forcing a number of corners without really threatening. A Reid cross was punched out but the ball did not break kindly for a Roselea player. Reid then had a great chance to put Roselea in front but his placed shot was saved by Malones legs. 

Right on half time Roselea took the lead in rather fortuitous circumstances. Colquhoun took a clever quick free kick to Lee HOOD and his cross from near the corner flag went in off the back post with Malone stranded. There was still time in stoppages for Doug Craig to send a dangerous corner kick off the Craigie cross bar and over. 

HALF TIME: East Craigie 1 Montrose Roselea 2 

The second half started quietly with both teams bogged down in midfield. Mcleod had to come and take a dangerous cross in 50 minutes. Colqhoun picked up a booking for hand ball. 

The first chance of the half fell to Gavin Reid in 65 minutes when Rae played him in but he could not get enough of the ball when at full stretch. 

Roselea made their first change in 70 minutes with Aitken replacing Urquhart. 

East Craigie had a spell of pressure and Mcleod had to react quickly to a break in the box and a minute later there was another scramble in the Lea box following a corner. 

In 73 minutes as play flowed from end East Craigie had a chance at one end then Colquhoun had a shot blocked by a Craigie defender. A Rae corner was somehow cleared off the line as Craigie held on for a lifeline in the game.

Fotheringham was in the book after getting involved in some “afters” following a very late off the ball challenge on his team-mate Rae. 

Roselea finally got the break they needed to secure the three points in the 75 minute. Collier broke free and went down easily after rounding Malone and referee Bowman pointed to the spot. COLLIER made it two penalties in two weeks after safely converting from 12 yards. Forsyth added to East Craigies woes when he picked up a second yellow for voicing his opinions on Colliers run up too strongly and left the field for an early bath. 

The scorer was subbed 5 minutes later with Craig Watson replacing him. In 85 minutes Strachan replaced Craig. Watson had a chance near the end when he cut in from the byeline and struck the ball against keeper Malone with Aitken perhaps better placed had he cut it back. 

Full Time: East Craigie 1 Montrose Roselea 3 

Although not a flamboyant performance it was a controlled win and a valuable three points with Downfield losing at home to Kirrie Thistle in the League. That now leaves Roselea 1 point behind leaders Downfield with a game in hand and North End a point behind with the same 15 games played. A host of clubs sit just behind making the coming weeks very important. Roselea now travel to play the much postponed game at Coupar Angus on Sat March 26^th, KO 2.30pm.