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ARNISTON RANGERS V MONTROSE ROSELEA
MCBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE
SAT MAY 31ST 2014

This time last year Roselea took place in a winner takes all League match against Kirrie Thistle in which the away side took the honours and the North League Title. One year on and with Kirrie Thistle relegated, Roselea's Premier League fate was in their own hands as one point would guarantee safety whilst anything other than a win for Dundee Violet against Glenrothes would see them relegated  whilst Glenrothes were in turn were looking for three points to secure 3rd place and pip Dalkeith Thistle to the play off. All in all it made for an exciting if not nervous Saturday.

 

Roselea travelled minus the suspended Calum Rae and Calum Watson was an injury doubt. Scott Riach and Stuart Richardson were absent through work. On the plus side in came Trialist Andrew Tringham from Johnshaven Athletic.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Thomson, Ross, Collier, Anderson, Reoch, Cruickshank & Reid. Subs: Watson, Tringham(T), C Taylor & Gammie (T)

 

Roselea kicked the match off on a lush pitch which was just on the long side meaning passes would have to be firm.

 

Craig Thomson the ex Hearts player was first to threaten with a good low shot from quite wide and Mcleod kept his eye on the ball as it just went past the post in 3 minutes. There was another chance for Arniston in 8 minutes when full back Brady got forward and crossed for Moffat who saw his shot scrambled off the line by Whyte.

 

The warning signs were there for Roselea and their formation did not seem to suit them against a very slick passing Arniston side. With Roselea constantly shuffling around the pitch to close down when they did get possesion they lost it too easily. There was always a danger however that Dale Reids pace would see him a danger on the break and he did break onto Danny Ross’s long ball but his left foot shoot lacked power to trouble Rachowski in the goal.

 

The home side took the lead in 16 minutes through the industrious KATELEZA. He picked the ball up 20 yards out and smacked a great shot into the top corner.

 

Ross of Roselea received a yellow card after he fell at the edge of the box and although the referee was possibly correct he had been tripped earlier in the move.

 

There was a double let off for Arniston in 20 minutes when a superb Ross ball put Reid away and he was pulled down at the edge of the box as he passed the last defender Callaghan who was very glad to see a yellow card produced. Roselea squandered the kick when Cruickshank crashed the ball against the wall.

 

There was a further let off, this time for Roselea when Thomson found himself with plenty of room inside the box and although he slid the ball past Mcleod he also found the outside of the box.

 

Arniston were well on top and managed to double their lead in 29 minutes. A very soft foul was awarded for a foul on Aitken and if it was a foul it looked to be inside the box. Thomson took the free kick and sent a low ball round the left hand side of the wall and although Mcleod saved well KATELAZA followed up to knock home from close range.

 

Collier had a good chance with a header and was just off target then Ryan Taylor went on a great run from just over the half way line beating three men before his deflected shot went just wide as Roselea looked to get back into the game. Cruickshank sent in a great corner which Collier headed goalwards from 4 yards out and only a brilliant save from keeper Rachowski prevented a sure goal.

 

Roselea were looking to get in for the half time break and perhaps regroup however disaster struck just a minute from half time. Anderson committed a foul just outside of the box and this time Craig THOMSON curled the ball around the corner of the wall and past Mcleod to put the home side on easy street. News then filtered through that Violet were leading Glenrothes 1-0, meaning as things stood Roselea were going down.

 

Half Time: Arniston Rangers 3 Montrose Roselea 0

 

Roselea made a couple of changes at half time with both Paul Taylor and Aaron Thomson being replaced by Andrew Tringham and Calum Watson. Both had played well in the first half but the chnages were necessary to try and change the game.

 

The move almost paid off just 3 minutes into the second half when Reid flicked on for Watson to race through however his shot just inside the 18 yard box got caught up in the grass and Rachowski held easily.

 

Roselea did get the break they were looking for in 50 minutes when Watson turned provider and Dale REID’s pace took him away from Callaghan before rounding Rachowski to make it 3-1. Almost at the same time up at Dundee, Glenrothes had equalised meaning things were looking up for Roselea.

 

Roselea were like a different team compared to the first half with Watson giving them a new lease of life. He had a great run into the box from the corner flag and with four players arriving the ball managed to find the only path between them as he cut back looking for the knock in on 55 minutes.

 

Violet regained their lead which made grim reading for the Roselea following.

 

Yet more Roselea pressure saw Collier cross only for a defender to turn behind under pressure as Arniston became as shadow of the team that turned up in the first half. In 65 minutes Anderson played the ball to Tringham and he in turn put Watson into the box but his cross did not find any takers.

 

There was a pivotal moment in the match in 74 minutes when Whyte had a great clearance from off the line and somehow just under the bar. A further goal from Violet meant that Roselea would have to make their own destiny.

 

In 77 minutes quick thinking from Ryan Taylor sent Cruickshank down the left with a free kick and his far post cross was turned round again for yet another corner.

 

Roselea gave themselves a real chance of a miracle comeback when Paul WHYTE headed home a Cruickshank corner in 82 minutes to make it a Grandslam finish.

 

Roselea threw bodies forward and it just looked they were running out of ideas when a goal came totally out of nothing. Craig Anderson had a shot as the ball came out of the box and it somehow found its way to Calum WATSON who opened up a chance before expertly flicking the ball past Rachowski to sqaure the match in the 90^th minute. This created mass scenes of jubilation as the Roselea players celebrated on top of the embankment near the corner flag. They were soon joined by the subs, Management, supporters and just about everyone who travelled from Montrose as a huge green piley on developed.

 

Next cause for concern on a day when every football emotion was to be felt was how long the referee would add in stoppages? Some 6 minutes ensued in which Arniston had two genuine shooting chances blocked by Taylor and Whyte but there was to be no last ditch disaster for Roselea. After a false dawn when the referee appeared to blow for full time it turned out to be for a free kick then the true celebrations started as he called a halt to the game.

 

Full Time: Arniston Rangers 3 Montrose Roselea 3

 

They say that football is decided on thin margins and this match certainly proved that it is. Not many people would have envisaged that Roselea would be three nil down at half time and also that Dundee Violet would have been getting the better of an on form Glenrothes side looking to clinch the third place play off spot. That is what can make football so special. So often in the past Roselea have been the victim of a cruel blow but this result certainly made up for some of the past pain the club has had to endure. Roselea now manage to survive on goal difference and Kirkcaldy who had looked safe for a long time are now the side relegated.

 

Roselea, for a side that only had 6 points after their first 10 of 30 League matches have shown a real spirit to claw their way back into the battle to avoid relegation and shows what can be achieved with local players battling for each other.

 

Roselea will now compete in the Premier League 2014-15 and become only the second Lea side to do so with the other being the 2006-7 side which stayed up. With a young side things can only get better if they can get off to a better start!

 

It was an emotional Roselea Manager Ralph Brand who admitted he broke down in tears as he addressed his players at the end as he thanked them for their efforts not just today but over the course of the season. He also thanked Assistant Manager Steve Kerrigan for his help since coming in to help him in November. He is excited by his young players and feels that they can only get better and learn from this seasons experience.

 

 

 

 

 

McBookie.com East Premier League
			Home					Away							Poss Max
	TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Penicuik Athletic	30	11	2	2	41	13	9	2	4	27	16	39	64	64
2	Fauldhouse United	30	11	4	0	46	15	6	4	5	40	25	46	59	59
3	Dalkeith Thistle	30	10	2	3	43	27	7	3	5	31	26	21	56	56
4	Jeanfield Swifts	30	8	2	5	33	22	9	1	5	27	20	18	54	54
5	Glenrothes	30	9	5	1	38	16	6	3	6	28	28	22	53	53
6	Oakley United	30	8	2	5	33	28	8	3	4	28	31	2	53	53
7	Broughty Athletic	30	8	1	6	46	25	6	6	3	31	25	27	49	49
8	Bathgate Thistle	30	9	1	5	54	29	5	3	7	33	24	34	46	46
9	Arniston Rangers	29	8	3	4	36	22	5	0	9	23	27	10	42	45
10	Kinnoull	30	5	4	6	21	20	5	2	8	17	28	-10	36	36
11	Dundee Violet	30	3	3	9	17	30	7	3	5	24	28	-17	36	36
12	Montrose Roselea	30	8	2	5	29	23	2	3	10	24	35	-5	35	35
13	Kirkcaldy YM	30	6	3	6	32	37	4	2	9	29	39	-15	35	35
14	Livingston United	30	5	1	9	15	30	4	1	10	23	42	-34	29	29
15	Kirriemuir Thistle	29	4	0	10	13	27	4	1	10	21	43	-36	25	28
16	Pumpherston Juniors	30	0	2	13	11	58	2	0	13	16	71	-102	8	8

MONTROSE ROSELEA V DALKEITH THISTLE

MCBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE

SAT MAY 24^TH 2014

 

With Music and the world famous Status Quo grabbing the limelight there was a very important football match squeezed into the weekend. Roselea needed 4 pts to achieve Premier League safety meanwhile visitors Dalkeith needed a draw to secure the play off place for the team finishing third. There were all sorts of permutations for the last two games of the season and Roselea would need a minimum of two draws to have a chance of safety however one win would almost guarantee survival.

 

Roselea entered the game without four key players. Calum Rae was suspended, Stuart Richardson & Scott Riach missed out through work and although he took a place on the bench Calum Watson was nowhere near 100% fit.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, Whyte, Thomson, R Taylor, Anderson, Ross, Reoch, Collier, Cruickshank & Reid. Subs: C Taylor, Watson, Kerrigan & Brand.

 

Dalkeith had the better of the opening stages, forcing a couple of corners which saw one goal line clearance.

 

It was however the home side who took the lead in 17 minutes. Danny Ross was tripped just inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Michael CRUIKSHANK was given the task and he slotted the ball into the bottom corner to put Roselea ahead.

 

Dalkeith should have been on level terms when their sweeper blasted the ball over from close range in 24 minutes.

 

In 25 minutes the Dalkeith keeper had a brilliant save from a Collier left footed effort and he tipped the ball behind for a corner.

 

Roselea conceded a free kick in 35 minutes when Cruickshank brought the player down 25 yards out however Mcleod dealt with the ball well and punched clear.

 

Roselea Manager Ralph Brand was dismissed by the referee in 40 minutes when he strongly agreed with a decision that saw Jo Reoch booked for a very innocuous challenge.

 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 1 Dalkeith Thistle 0

 

There were chances at both ends at the start of the 2^nd half however it was Dalkeith that got the all important goal when MORRIS finished off a cross and put the visitors on level terms in 54 minutes.

 

Dalkeith had another chance a couple of minutes later when Mcleod dropped the ball from a header however he managed to scramble the ball away for a corner.

 

Roselea took the lead again in 73 minutes when Danny ROSS finished well with a low shot following a scramble in the box.

 

In 78 minutes Dale Reid tried his luck from 30 yards when he received the ball from Ross but his shot went over the bar.

 

Roselea sub Watson looked to have put Roselea further ahead but he slid the ball from Reid just wide of the post.

 

Roselea held out for a remarkable win that should see them safe in the Premier League for another season.

 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 2 Dalkeith Thistle 1

 

This was a brilliant win for the home side and should see them safe in the Premier League. Danny Ross was outstanding and capped a great performance with his goal. Roselea do require one point to guarantee safety however anything less than a win for Dundee Violet over Glenrothes will also be enough. Roselea travel to Arniston Rangers for their last game and it will not be easy against an in form side who reached the East of Scotland Cup final with a 4-0 win against Tayport on Saturday. Roselea will be running a bus to the game which kicks off at 2.30pm and supporters are welcome to travel. The bus leaves the Golf Inn at 11.00am.

 

 

 

PUMPHERSTON v MONTROSE ROSELEA

McBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE

SAT MAY 17^th 2014

 

Roselea entered their final three League matches of the season knowing that seven points would be enough to guarantee safety from relegation. They headed to bottom side Pumpherston on Saturday, a side who have done well to keep going this season after losing pretty much their whole side from last season when the Manager left in pre season to go to Bathgate Thistle. They had a negative goal difference of minus one hundred goals and had lost at Montrose by 3-0 however as always in football nothing could be taken for granted. Stuart Richardson missed out through work however Aaron Thomson returned to the squad. Calum Rae was playing his last game of the season as he had reached the threshold for a two game ban. Trialist Andrew Tringham from Johnshaven Athletic came in to the side.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, Rae, Whyte, Reoch, R Taylor, Ross, Collier, Anderson, Tringham, Cruickshank & Reid. Subs: C Taylor, Riach, P Taylor, Watson & Thomson.

 

Roselea were playing against a slight breeze and after a good opening couple of minutes when the forced a couple of corners they were almost caught out. In 3 minutes Pumpherston though they had taken the lead when Omara evaded the attentions of Reoch and smacked a well hit shot into the side netting. A couple of minutes later and again slack marking allowed Shave to pick the ball up on the left hand side of the penalty area but Mcleod did well to rush out and save brilliantly at the strikers feet.

 

Pumpherston were not going to make things easy for the visitors and after the referee allowed play to move on despite a blatant push on Reoch Brady shot high over the bar from an angle.

 

Reid had the ball in the net when he broke through on a Reoch ball with team mate Rae looking the more likely culprit for the offside decision.

 

Roselea took the lead in 20 minutes in an almost identical move to the disallowed goal however this time the referee was right on the spot to judge that REID was onside and he slotted home well.

 

Reid had another chance in 25 minutes when good pressing by the midfield so Collier intercept the ball from the full back and he sent the striker away, the home keeper Ronald had come a long way out of his goal and he got a slight touch to the chip to help send the ball narrowly over the bar.

 

In 33 minutes a Pumpherston free kick came off the Roselea wall and Collier sent Anderson away this time and in a mirror image of Reids chip the ball went just over the bar.

 

Roselea were needing a second goal to settle them down and the chances were coming thick and fast. Again Reid was in and tried a low shot this time but hit the ball weakly against the keepers legs.

 

In 39 minutes Reid again lobbed the ball over the keeper and his goalbound effort was somehow cleared off the line by Fairley with Collier in close attendance.

 

Ross Mcleod had to be alert when a shot came in from the edge of the box and then Danny Ross had two great chances when he was put in on the right hand side but both low shots were saved by the keepers feet.

 

With two minutes of the first half remaining Roselea worked a pre set free kick however Cruickshank sent in a low ball which surprised Whyte who almost bundled home at the far post from a yard out.

 

Half Time: Pumpherston 0 Montrose Roselea 1

 

Two minutes into the second half saw normal service resumed as Reid had a chance when the ball came to him 16 yards out and his lob went just over the bar.

 

In 53 minutes Reid flashed a Danny Ross cross across the face of the goal as the decisive second goal still eluded the visitors.

 

In 65 minutes Roselea finally got a second goal however it was an unconvincing finish. Anderson sent in a long throw which keeper Ronald claimed, however he dropped the ball at the feet of CRUICKSHANK and his right footed shot took an eternity to finally drop into the back of the net.

 

Roselea had another few chances to get the game sealed up with Cruickshank and Reid both having shots off target in 75 and 78 minutes.

 

Roselea finally got the decisive third goal in the 79^th minutes when the hard working Reid’s pace took him to the byeline and he cutback for ROSS to slot home from 10 yards.

 

Just when Roselea thought they were on easy street Pumpherston were given a lifeline with a very preventable goal. Rae hesitated in clearing the ball, waiting for Mcleod to come out an gather and OMARA nipped in between them before slotting home from 4 yards out.

 

Roselea made two changes in the final ten minutes with Riach replacing Cruickshank and Craig Taylor replacing Tringham who had an outstanding game.

 

Full Time: Pumpherston 1 Montrose Roselea 3

 

Roselea finally secured a valuable three points which until the second and third goals went in were not guaranteed and Pumpherston always looked like they would threaten with their pace up front. Roselea created enough chances to win three or four games and on another day could have hit double figures. There were some great displays again with Trialist Andrew Tringham being the pick of the bunch showing great strength and did the simple things easily. Pumpherston never gave up and for a club who went through so much pain earlier in the season deserve great credit for where they have got to.

 

The win means Roselea are now two points behind Dundee Violet with a game in hand. They are also four points behind 6^th bottom placed Kirkcaldy. With two games remaining starting with Dalkeith Thistle at home this week then the final game away to Arniston Rangers on a date not yet known, 4 points will secure safety. Depending on the outcome of the Dundee Violet v Glenrothes match two points may be enough.

 

This Saturday will be a massive match for the Club against Dalkeith Thistle who also need a point to be guaranteed the third place play off spot. The match kicks off at 2.30pm and Roselea would appreciate the support of the Town to help them on their way to safety.