Montrose Roselea

DOWNFIELD v MONTROSE ROSELEA

EAST REGION NORTH DIVISION

SAT MARCH 5th 2011 

Roselea headed to Downfield Park for their next North Region League match desperate to get back on the rails following their disappointing 4-0 defeat at Forfar Albion. Downfield were the new leaders and were 4 points ahead of Roselea although the visitors had 2 games in hand, so it made the importance of the match so much greater. Roselea’s absentee woes eased slightly with Calum Rae returning from holiday and David Craig also available after injury. James Collier is still one week away from fitness and joined long term absentees Paul Whyte and Colin Kennedy on the sidelines. Roselea shuffled their side slightly with David Craig, Calum Rae and Gavin Reid coming in from the previous weeks lineup. 

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

Roselea were shooting up the Downfield brae in the first half on a pitch which had been rolled twice after taking hammering the previous week against Blairgowrie.

The visitors were first on the attack and Aitken swivelled past his marker winning a corner with claims that he had been held back. Rae swung in a dangerous corner that flashed across the goalmouth and was touched behind for another corner. 

Roselea had another chance in 12 minutes when Craig sent in a near post free kick which Watson flicked just behind. 

In 15 minutes Downfield took the lead with a brilliant goal. Colquhoun got too tight to SCOTT and the striker unleashed a stunning 25 yard strike over the stranded Mcleod and into the top corner of the net.  

Roselea were almost on level terms after a great turn and volley by Aitken in the box. Thain somehow managed to get a strong hand to it and turned the ball over the bar for a corner. 

Roselea were forced into a change on 32 minutes with Fotheringham replacing the injured Miller. 

In 35 minutes Downfield took a 2-0 lead and again it was a long ball that caused the problem. SCOTT chased down the ball and the advancing Mcleod missed his clearance giving him the easy chance to slot home despite the efforts of Colquhoun. In 40 minutes Downfield went close again, this time a curling McDonald free kick went just wide of the post. 

Half Time: Downfield 2 Roselea 0

The second half started with the homesters Scott picking up where he left on and latched onto a McDonald cross field pass before shooting narrowly wide. 

The third goal of the match was going to be crucial and despite some good Roselea pressure it was the Spiders who stretched their lead in 62 minutes. A low free kick from McDonald could not be held and the ball was bundled home from close range by TRENT. 

Hood replaced Aitken in 64 minutes as Roselea looked for a life-line to get back in the game. 

Gavin Reid had a good effort from 25 yards just go wide of the target in 66 minutes. Roselea made their final change in 68 minutes with Riach going on for Watson. 

It was not Roselea’s day again and they had further misery when Hood struck a great first time shot from a Rae cross only to see it hit the stanchion before bouncing on the line and out. 

Roselea’s persistence finally paid off when RIACH headed home a Rae corner from close range in 78 minutes. Two minutes later with Roselea searching for a second Hood almost played Riach in but a great tackle diverted the ball behind for a corner.

Raes corner was headed home at the near post but the referee had awarded a foul on the keeper. Roselea kept battling away in the final ten minutes but could not find any more chinks in the Downfield defence and the match ended with more disappointment for the Lea. 

Full Time: Downfield 3 Montrose Roselea 1