EAST REGION NORTH LEAGUE

MONTROSE ROSELEA V BRECHIN VICS

SAT AUGUST 21^ST 2010 

Roselea kicked off their return to the North League with a home match v Brechin Vics. They had a chance for early revenge as their local rivals had managed to beat them in the DJ Laing Cup two weeks previous which was their first win for 15 years.

 

Roselea had given up their hold on the DJ Laing Cup finishing a disappointing bottom of their Group and after relegation they knew that a good start would be important to get things off to a good start.

David Craig came back into contention following injury and Colin Kennedy also returned after a stint working abroad. 

Roselea line up: Mcleod, Miller, Mustard, Graham, Whyte, Hood, Rae, Reoch, Reid, Watson & Riach. Subs: Strachan, David Craig, Aitken, Barclay, Doug Craig & Brand. 

On a good surface and a strong wind Brechin Vics had the first chance in 4 minutes when McNaughton broke free after Roselea claimed for a foul by Longmuir on Graham but Mcleod stood his ground and saved well. Longmuir then had a half chance after an early ball from Archibald caught Roselea flat footed however the ex Roselea man could not get enough on the ball to trouble Mcleod. 

Roselea then took the lead on the 10^th minute. A Reoch flick on was played to Hood by Watson then Hood cut back to Riach and despite a poor first touch he managed to stretch and squeeze the ball past Robbie to make it 1-0. 

In 13 minutes Longmuir should have done better with a headed effort but could not direct it goalwards. 

Watson then had a header from a great Reid cross which Robbie spilled and with Riach following up the visiting keeper did well to turn it away for a corner. Roselea had a big appeal for a penalty in 22 minutes when a Watson shot struck the hand of Paul Ross but the referee never gave it the time of day. Robbie had the save of the day in 26 minutes when Reoch hit a rasping left foot shot right down the middle and somehow he managed to turn it away for corner. Reid had a shot go just over from the loose ball of the resulting corner. Roselea were on top at this stage and a fine move involving Reoch, Rae and Watson saw the latter crossing with Riach just failing to get a touch in front of Robbie. Hood sent another cross in just before half time and although Watson got plenty of contact with his head the end result was off target. 

HALF TIME: Roselea 1 Brechin Vics 0. 

Brechin Vics came out with some purpose in the second half and McNaughton broke away and looked to have levelled the scores but the ball bounced narrowly wide with the away support celebrating a goal. In 49 minutes Longmuir then though he had equalised when he had the ball in the net but was ruled offside.

 

In 55 minutes Watson went on a long solo run and ended up burrowing along the goal line before drilling a low cross to the near post with Riach again waiting to pounce as Robbie held again.

 

Brechin Vics were taking advantage of some slack Roselea play and both McNaughton and Longmuir both had chances to equalise however some stout defending from Roselea kept them at bay.

 

Roselea made three changes in the 2^nd half with Doug Craig, Kennedy & Strachan replacing Miller, Riach and Reid.

 

Archibald had a speculative effort from 25 yards and Mcleod needed two attempts to turn it round for a corner.

 

Another long ball caught the Roselea defence flat and McNaughton was about to pull the trigger when Mustard got back to make an excellent blocking tackle.

 

FULL TIME; Roselea 1 Brechin Vics 0 

 

Roselea will see this as a welcome three points after a rather inept performance. Brechin Vics will look at the chances they created but will have to reflect back to the League Cup encounter to see how frustrating it can be when you don’t take your chances.

 

Match Sponsor was Archbold Accountancy Ltd

 

Roselea now face a tricky League match at Lochee Harp on Sat August 28^th, 2.30pm. Harp started with a 2-1 defeat at Violet on their opening day.