ABERDEEN EAST END v MONTROSE ROSELEA

SCOTTISH CUP 3^RD ROUND REPLAY

SAT NOV 30^TH 2013 

Roselea travelled to New Advocates Park to face East End in a Scottish Cup 3^rd Round Replay. The teams drew 2-2 at Broomfield Park in a game which Roselea didn’t seem to get going in. There was some reshuffling to be done by Ralph Brand with Jo Reoch and Stewart Fletcher being unavailable from the previous starting line up. They were also without James Collier, Connor Gammie & Stuart Richardson. On the plus side both Calum Rae who returned from injury and Danny Ross (suspension) both came back into the side with Aaron Thomson dropping to the subs bench. New signing 24 year old Venezualan Carlos Silva was also on the subs bench. 

New Advocates Park, which lies in the shadows of Pittodrie Stadium was in good condition after being rolled and there was little wind which is unusual at the location. Roselea last played on the sloped pitch in 1999 when they drew 1-1 in the 1^st Round before heading to the quarter finals. In attendance was Roselea legend Martin Christie who now lives in the Granite City. 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Cruickshank, Anderson, Rae, Ross, Duncan Reid, Dale Reid & Watson. Subs: Thomson, Rausch, Silva, Brand & Kerrigan. 

Roselea got off to the best possible start with a goal within the first 60 seconds. Dale REID sent a wonderful 25 yard volley into the corner of the net after Watson closed down the East End defence. 

East End had their first chance on 10 minutes when Johnstone sent a volley just wide of the post. 

Roselea were on top and it was no surprise that they doubled their lead in 11 minutes. Rae sent in a very dangerous inswinging corner which home keeper McGraw didn’t deal with and Paul WHYTE got the final touch as the ball went in off the far post. 

The game settled down after the explosive start and East End managed to get a couple of shots away with Fraser testing Mcleod on a couple of occasions. 

Dale Reid broke away in 25 minutes but he shot high over the bar. Reid then created another chance for strike partner Watson as he fought for the ball in the corner before passing to Rae. Rae crossed into the box and Watson chested the ball down before his shot found the outside of the post. There was to be no further goalmouth action in the first half and it was a confident Roselea side who made their way in at half time. 

Half Time: Aberdeen East End 0 Montrose Roselea 2

Early on in the second half Johnston of East End broke into the Roselea penalty area but Mcleod had spotted the danger and was out quickly to block. 

Watson was then put in at the other end and only a great block from keeper McGraw stopped Roselea from securing a fourth round spot. 

East End again tested Mcleod when substitute Rose picked up a throw in and shot from a tight angle only for the keeper to block and Paul Whyte cleared the lines. 

Midway through the second half Dale Reid had a great chance to put the tie beyond reach when Duncan Reid layed the ball back to him and his shot hot the inside of the post before running along the line to safety. 

East End were having the major share of the possession shooting down the slope but Roselea defended strongly and limited the chances of letting East End back into the game. 

Roselea made a change on 80 minutes with Carlos Silva replacing Duncan Reid. Mcleod made a fine double stop in 85 minutes when he first saved Reid’s shot from the edge of the box and also blocked the follow up effort from Fraser. 

Full Time: Aberdeen East End 0 Montrose Roselea 2

 After the disappointing performance at home this was a thoroughly well deserved win and a great show from the first minute to the last. After a dream start with the early goal the team were determined to make it through to the 4^th Round. The introduction of Ross and Rae in midfield created the extra drive in the middle of the park with the back four and Ross Mcleod also worthy of a mention for their determination not to lose a goal. 

Roselea remain on cup duty this weekend with Blairgowrie visiting in the first round of the GA Cup. After reaching the final last year, Roselea will look to try and go one better in the competition this time round. Kick off is at 1.45pm.