Montrose Roselea

MONTROSE ROSELEA vs ASC TAYSIDE PREMIER LEAGUE 27/11/2004 Roselea faced near neighbours ASC in only their third Premier League match of the season. Heavy rain made the surface very tricky. Roselea lined up in a familiar 4-4-2 formation with a couple of changes from the previous match. Eric Watson moved up front with Kevin Crawford replacing him in midfield. Duncan Croall dropped down to the bench. James McKellar took over from the injured Martin Christie in midfield. Roselea: John Wands, Matt Miller, Paul Whyte, Chris Masson, Paul, Ross, David Craig, Scott Findlater, Kevin Crawford, Eric Watson, Colin Page, James McKellar. Subs: Kevin Smith, Lee Walker, Luke Myers, Duncan Croall & Ross Mcleod. Roselea went close in 3 minutes when a great run from McKellar set up Findlater but his shot went over from a tight angle. In seven minutes Findlater turned provider and his cross was met by Kevin Crawford but the keeper saved well. Roselea took the lead in 9 minutes, Paul Whyte took off down the left and his cross was blasted against the keeper by David Craig with Eric Watson following up to make no mistake with his right foot. Chris Masson had to make a couple of important tackles to prevent ASC from breaking. Masson set up another Roselea break and Eric Watson had a header excellently saved by the ASC keeper. ASC were coming more and more into the game, Scott Findlater receiving a booking for an infringement during this spell. Craig followed him into the book foe dissent. ASC then equalised in 39 minutes. A free kick was not properly cleared and the ball was forced into the net. Right on half time Craig hit the post for Roselea after a goalmouth scramble. Half Time Roselea 1 ASC 1 Roselea went 2-1 up on the hour mark. Some fine play from Kevin Crawford put Colin Page in with slide rule pass and Page made no mistake with his finish. Roselea almost increased their lead 2 minutes later when Eric Watson almost picked out Craig who was arriving at pace in the box. ASC made a couple of changes in 75 minutes. Roselea then went close after an Eric Watson header was blocked on the line by a defender with the rebound falling to Craig who failed to hit the target. ASC equalised in the 79th minute from the spot after Chris mason had brought down a striker. ASC then had a great chance to take the lead but only a great challenge from Paul Whyte prevented them. Disaster struck for Roselea with a minute remaining. A hotly disputed free kick was awarded and Sturrock scored with a great free kick to steal the points for ASC. Final Roselea 2 ASC 3 Manager David Balfour was obviously gutted by the result, as were all the players after a match that they seemed to be so much in control of. Although it does not help Jim Low of ASC admitted that a draw would have been a kinder result. This end a six match unbeaten run for the Lea and a win would have seen them going to third in the league table. North End have won the League Cup Section with a convincing win away to Broughty 3-0. Forfar West End will finish second ahead of Roselea on goal difference after winning 2-0 at home to Coupar Angus. Other league results: Scone 1 Elmwood 3 Blairgowrie 1 Kinnoull 2 This week Roselea travel to Neilston in the Scottish Junior Cup 3rd Round and only a top performance will see them coming away with a result. The bus will leave the Golf Inn at 8.30am with kick off being at 1.45pm. Martin Christie and Eric Watson are definite non-starters for Roselea.