PORTGORDON VICS v MONTROSE ROSELEA
GA CUP 3^rd ROUND

SAT MARCH 9^th 2013

 

Roselea ventrured north on Saturday for a last 16 tie in the GA Cup. A problem with the original bus resulted in a 30 min delay with the team arriving just 30 minutes from kick off. After beating Superleage Lochee Utd in the previous Round Roselea were hot favourites to beat the home side who sat mid table in the North First Division. Roselea travelled minus the injured Danny Ross & Graeme Allan who was working.

 

Portgordon, which is on the Moray coast along from Buckie would give Broomfield Park a run for money in the coldest and windiest location for a football club. The team went out on to a very bumpy surface which would test all abilities to control the ball and passes.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, Rae, Whyte, Reoch, R Taylor, Anderson, Watt, Beedie, Cruickshank, Watson & Reid. Subs: Riach, P Taylor, Collier & Brand

 

Roselea made a strong start to the game and took the lead in just 6 minutes. Dale Reid flicked a ball on to Craig Anderson and he drove into the box before cutting back to Calum WATSON who poked home from 6 yards with the outside of his right foot.

 

After their great start Roselea let Portgordon back in to the game and Davidson had far too much room in the middle of the park before unleashing a 30 yard shot which went just wide of the post in 14 minutes.

 

3 minutes later Portgordon attacked again and a corner kick troubled the visitors before a hand ball was given against an attacker.

 

Ross Mcleod was called into action when Leslie had a header blocked and then shot against the Roselea keeper who did well to close him down in 20 minutes.

 

Portgordon were using the strong wind to their advantage and Mair had another long range shot from 30 yards which saw Mcleod scrambling to make sure the ball was off target.

 

Calum Watson broke through in 23 minutes but home keeper Redford did well to close the angle and blocked his left footed shot.

 

In 33 minutes Whyte almost doubled the lead when he headed a long throw in from Craig Anderson just wide of the post.

 

In 42 minutes there was a spate of bookings with Rae and Anderson booked for Roselea after debating a foul and then a Portgordon player was also booked for a very late tackle on Ryan Taylor.

 

Reid had another chance for Roselea in 42 minutes but home keeper Reford did well to turn the ball behind for a corner saving low at his front post.

 

Half Time: Portgordon 0 Roselea 1

 

Roselea wasted no time in increasing their lead with Calum Watson quick thinking and throw in releasing Craig ANDERSON who stayed composed and slid the ball under the advancing keeper from 16 yards.

 

Roselea were now on top and Whyte caused harm in the home box when he headed a corner back across the face of the goal with the home side doing well to clear the danger in 53 minutes.

 

Portgordon had a chance in 55 minutes when Leslie found space in the box but Mcleod stood his ground and saved well.

 

Roselea made a double substitution on 60 minutes with Calum Rae & Dale Reid being replaced by Scott Riach and Paul Taylor.

 

In 73 minutes Portgordon almost gave themselves the lifeline they were looking for with the game far from being over as Leslie just failed to connect with a cross ball. However they did pull themselves back into the tie in 78 minutes when LESLIE did managed to convert a cross into the goal.

 

With no futher chances in the game Roselea held out for a win but were left hanging on a “Shooglie Peg” for the last 10 minutes before sealing their trip into the last 8 of the GA Cup.

 

Final Score: Portgordon Vics 1 Montrose Roselea 2

 

After a very promising opening Roselea made very hard work of this against a very average team who did work hard to make things difficult for the visitors. Although the win was never in doubt it was an uncomfortable 90 minutes for them. The Management team will be relieved that they came though a difficult match.

 

Next week Roselea are on the road again however it a shorter trip to Victoria Park to play Brechin Vics in a local derby in the McBookie North Division. Kick off is at 2.30pm