MONTROSE ROSELEA v KIRRIE THISTLE

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISON

SAT JAN 11^th 2014 

Roselea finally got their 2014 underway with a home game against Kirrie Thistle after the two previous away games at Violet and Pumpherston were postponed. An overnight frost did put the game in doubt and was just playable at Kick off time.  Ronnie Massie again deputised for Ross Mcleod and Roselea were without Arron Thomson & Danny Ross due to injury and Craig Anderson through suspension and Stewart Fletcher, Scott Riach & Jordan Rausch were working. Carlos Silva returned from the festive break in Venezuela and made his home debut. In addition to a slightly slippy surface the low winter sun was also a factor especially for the goalkeepers. 

Roselea: Massie, P Taylor, R Taylor, Reoch, Whyte, Rae, Collier, Silva, Cruickshank, Watson & Reid. Subs: Gammie, Richardson, Brand & Kerrigan.

Kirrie Thistle kicked off into the low sun and Lunan had a shot from distance which didn’t trouble Massie then Jo Reoch received treatment for a late tackle which left him grounded. 

Roselea took the lead in the 4^th minute when Dale REID followed up his first effort to volley home from 6 yards out. He had crossed to Silva at the far post and he slipped the ball to Collier who lobbed the ball over the last defender and after Reids powerful volley was well saved by Stewart he made no mistake with a cool finish from the rebound. 

Reid almost made it a second in 9 minutes when Watson’s flick sent him away down the left and his pace made him favourite to prod the ball past Stewart but even though the ball looked goalbound a slight deflection took it behind for a corner. 

Kirrie were starting to come into things and knocked a few passes around before Russell whipped in a great cross for Lunan to head wide however he was also given offside. Ronnie Massie was called into action in the 20^th minute when Millar picked up a loose Rae pass and then curled a great shot towards the top corner but the big keeper held at full stretch. 

Roselea had another great chance to increase their lead again through Reid in 24 minutes. Kirrie were caught at the back and when keeper Stewart raced to clear from 30 yards out he found Reid who snatched at his chance too quickly with the open goal gaping. In 26 minutes another hashed clearance from Kirrie fell to Rae and he played Watson down the right wing before his cross had to be intercepted by Russell with Reid waiting to pounce. Cruickshank sent the corner in and Colliers header had to be tipped over the bar by Stewart. 

On the half hour Kirrie had another half effort from a Russell cross with this time Farguharson got his head to it but was well off target. In 41 minutes

Roselea had a half hearted appeal for a penalty when Rae shot in the box and the ball struck Russell’s hand however with his back to the ball the referee adjudged it t be accidental. 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 1 Kirrie Thistle 0

Kirrie Thistle started the second half looking lively and a different side from the first half. It took them only four minutes to equalise. Roselea were caught out by a short corner scam when Smith carried the ball 15 yards unchallenged after it had been tapped to him without Roselea catching on, he then crossed to the far post and when the ball came back in Paul Taylor blocked on the line but Ross LUNAN was on hand to knock home from 2 yards. 

In 52 minutes the lively David Millar had a shot from 25 yards out but Massie once again held well. A couple of minutes later Archibald got his head to another Smith corner but headed just over. 

Disaster struck for Roselea and Calum Watson in the 57^th minute. What looked like a 50-50 block tackle on Stewart Russell resulted in the home player being shown a red card. It seemed like a harsh decision and although Russell required treatment Watson appeared to make full contact with the ball and not his opponent. 

It was to get far worse for the home side just a minute later when Kirrie took the lead. MILLAR played a cross field pass to James Russell and continued into the box to meet the cross ball perfectly to head home from 7 yards out. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Roselea and it was going to be a big ask to come back from that double knock. 

Roselea made a change with Stuart Richardson replacing Carlos Silva in 65 minutes. 

In 73 minutes Kirrie made it 3-1 when James Russell got to the bye line and cut back right to the edge of the box where Robert SMITH had a great side footed finish from 20 yards into the corner of the net. 

Roselea made their second change in 71 minutes with Connor Gammie going on for Paul Taylor as Roselea tried to claw their way back into things. 

Whyte went close with a header for Roselea in 74 minutes but Kirrie were defending well and not giving much in the way of chances away. 

In 78 minute Ryan Taylor missed his clearance letting James Russell in but his clever chip from 25 yards at an angle went just wide when it looked to be in all the way. 

Roselea made their final change with Brand going on for James Collier in 85 minutes. 

Kirrie Thistle made their superiority show and there was time for a 4^th goal in the 88^th minute when James Russell made his way to the byeline and his low front post cross was finished from point blank range by namesake Stewart RUSSELL. On a cold and frustrating day referee Leslie brought a halt to proceedings for a very deflated home side. 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 1 Kirrie Thistle 4

 After a very positive first half from Roselea when they should have made more of the missed chances it was an impressive Kirrie side who deservedly took the points. The sending off had some impact however the signs were already there that the visitors were starting to take command. This is Roselea’s biggest League defeat of the season and the first time they have conceded more than three goals in a match. The players will need to keep positive but as each game comes the gap between them at second bottom and the safety pack above seems to widen. Wins will be required shortly to give optimism that they can keep their Premier League place. 

This week Roselea will travel to Holm Park, Clydebank to face Yoker Athletic in the 4^th Round of the Scottish Cup. This will be an emotional return for Carlos Silva to his former club and a close match is expected. The club bus will leave the Golf Inn at 9am and the bus is now full.          

MONTROSE ROSELEA V BLAIRGOWRIE

GA CUP 2^nd ROUND

SAT DEC 21^st 2013  

Roselea faced old foes Blairgowrie in the GA Cup with an away tie to Dyce awaiting the winners in the last 16. Blairgowrie were sitting 5^th in the North Division and a tough match was expected. Mark Brash was cup tied and acted as stand in Manager for a side without the suspended Gordon Pirie. Roselea were without the injured pair Danny Ross and Aaron Thomson and goalkeeper Ross Mcleod is away for 6 weeks in Australia so veteran goalkeeping coach Ronnie Massie stood in. Stewart Fletcher was unavailable. It was a changing day with sun and rain intermittent with quite a strong wind however it was nothing like the week before. The surface was greasy but would add to the cup tie feel. 

Roselea: Massie, Paul Taylor, Ryan Taylor, Whyte, Richardson, Rae, Collier, Reoch, Cruickshank, Dale Reid & Watson. Subs: Duncan Reid, Riach, Rausch, Brand & Kerrigan.

Blairgowrie pressed Roselea in the first couple of attacks but it was the home side who made a dream start with a goal from Calum WATSON. James Collier played a defence splitting ball through the middle and despite two players looking offside Watson timed his run from deep and placed the ball past the advancing O’brien. 

Roselea doubled their lead in 9 minutes when dangerman WATSON again struck. Dale Reid played a clever reverse pass to Watson and he took the ball inside his marker before curling a great shot into the top corner from 18 yards out. 

Roselea had a let off in the 12^th minute when Murison sent in a deep free kick and Rae left the ball to go out but French almost got a touch as it headed out of play. Blairgowrie forced a couple of corners which Massie had to punch clear then Ryan Taylor made a great run up the left hand side of the pitch before cutting in and forcing O’brien to save his low shot with a couple of team mates perhaps better placed in the middle. 

On the 20^th minute a brilliant cross from Watson which curved away from the keeper was met by the head of Dale Reid but his header lacked direction. Dale Reid went closer in the 25^th minute when his deflected shot hit the inside of the post before running along the line to safety. Roselea need a vital third goal to keep the tie safe. 

Blairgowrie were still in the game and had a good spell just as it looked like Roselea were on top and Axworthy pulled out a great save from Massie with the ball eventually squirming out for a corner. The corner came in and after Massie punched clear Simpson saw his shot get deflected over the top. Ryan Taylor received the first booking of the game for a late tackle which was probably down to the conditions and Axworthy sent in a great free kick from 30 yards out which Massie again matched with a great save. 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 2 Blairgowrie 0

Roselea had the first chance of the second half when Rae made his way to the byeline and crossed, when the defender missed the ball it ended up at the feet of Watson and with a hatrick awaiting O’brien pulled off a great save. 

In 57 minutes Paul Taylor sent in a deep cross which Watson and Whyte both slid for with the effect of putting O’brien off and the ball just missed the target when in skidded up. Roselea made the tie safe with a great strike from Jordan REOCH from 25 yards out. Cruickshank ran at the defence before slipping the ball to Reoch and his foot cut across the ball and swerved into the top corner rattling the stanchion. 

There was another Broomfield flare up in the 64^th minute when Menzies took Cruickshank down as he chased him back and as they both fell to the ground he appeared to kick out at his opponent. Once again several players charged in and made things difficult for the referee. Once he calmed the situation down he showed a red card to Blairgowrie’s Nicoll and a yellow card to Reoch. The initial culprit Menzies did not receive any punishment. 

A minute later Whyte appeared to be pushed as he attempted to head a free kick goalwards but as he stayed on his feet the referee perhaps didn’t see the full picture of what had happened. 

Roselea made a double change in 70 minutes with Rae and Dale Reid being replaced by Rausch and Duncan Reid. Collier sent a free kick in which Obrien dealt with easily then at the other end with Murison breaking away Stuart Richardson made a brilliant tackle as he slid in and took the ball away. 

Roselea made another change in 78 minutes with Riach replacing Paul Taylor. 

Roselea made it 4-0 in 82 minutes when Watson flicked the ball on to Duncan REID and his pace took him away from Hay before sliding the ball past O’brien with a calm finish. 

Roselea clean sheet looked in danger when the ball broke to Hay but he screwed his shot wide in 85 minutes. There were more chances for Roselea when first Collier worked his way into the box before O’brien saved with his feet then Watsons attempt from the rebound was blocked to Richardson who then shot over the bar. 

Final Score: Montrose Roselea 4 Blairgowrie 0

This was a comfortable win which was set up by the two early goals from Watson however it did require the third goal to secure the passage into the 3^rd Round. Watson was showing the same form he has all season and it was just a pity he couldn’t get his third as a reward for his performance. Roselea will now travel to Dyce on February 22^nd to face the North Superleague leaders in the last 16. 

Roselea now face a trio of League matches which will map their destiny in the Premier League with trips to Pumpherston (Dec 28^th), Dundee Violet (Jan 4^th) and Kirrie Thistle at home on January 11^th. Please note that the kick off time for these three matches has been changed to 1.30pm. There is a bus running to Pumpherston which will leave the Golf Inn at 10.00am, supporters are welcome. 

MONTROSE ROSELEA v JEANFIELD SWIFTS

McBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE

SAT DEC 14^th 2013 

On a day that was predicted to have high gales the weather forecasters got it spot on and Broomfield did not disappoint with terrible conditions worsened by second half rain. Jeanfield arrived at Montrose full of confidence having beaten the home side twice in cup competitions the previous season however it was a much changed side marshalled by new Manager Gavin Price which took to the field.  

Roselea welcomed back Stuart Richardson to the squad and James Collier returned from his vacation however neither were deemed ready to start. Jo Reoch, Stewart Fletcher and Scott Riach also made a return with Reoch slotting back into the midfield. 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Cruickshank, Whyte, Anderson, Rae, Duncan Reid, Reoch, Watson & Dale Reid. Subs: Richardson, Fletcher, Riach, Gammie & Collier.

Jeanfield elected to shoot with the strong winds at their back however Roselea nearly shocked them in the first minute when Watson put Dale Reid through and his low shot was well blocked by Bruce with his feet. 

The early exchanges were even with both teams forcing corners but not testing the keepers. This all changed in the 11^th minute when an error from Ross Mcleod led to the opening goal. He dropped the ball outside his area with a view to kicking low into the wind instead of from hand and HOLDEN gambled by shutting down the kick. The ball spun high in the air and he managed to get onto the end of it before composing himself and stroking home from 8 yards despite some spirited pressure from Mcleod and Taylor. 

Roselea battled away in the testing conditions and managed to win a couple of corners but were giving away too many fouls in the wide areas.

In 25 minutes Mackie sent in a dangerous free kick which Reoch did well to clear.  

In 27 minutes Jeanfield doubled their lead with a well taken goal. MACKIE took a corner on the right hand side and when the ball came back to him via the opposite side of the park he cut in and sent an unstoppable left footed strike past Mcleod and into the top corner. 

Paul Taylor was booked for persistent fouling and again Mackie sent in a great ball which was missed by all except Mcleod who made a great last minute save and turned the ball behind. In 35 minutes was dummied at the near post by Swifts Holden and the ball then popped back to him only for Mcleod to block, Gordon then had his shot cleared off the line before Holden blasted over under pressure as the Roselea goal somehow stayed intact. 

There was a feeling that one goal from Roselea could turn the game on its head and Dale Reid did well to cut back from the byeline but the ball was intercepted by Muirhead with Watson waiting to pounce. There was one last chance for battling Roselea when Cruickshank drove forward and found Watson who cut along the 18 yard box before shotting against a Jeanfield defender and although the deflection took the ball in the opposite direction of Bruce it also took the sting out and aided by the wind Bruce recovered to save well. 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 0 Jeanfield Swifts 2

Roselea came out with the wind at their backs and intent on getting back into the match and almost did so in the first minute of the second half. Cruickshank sent in a great ball and Watson did so well to get on the end with a sliding shot but Bruce was equal and covered for a corner. 

Roselea made a change with Richardson replacing Paul Taylor. 

Craig Anderson had a great early volley in the 55^th minute which seemed to be looking to strike the post but Bruce made sure with a great save to turn behind. Duncan Reid took the inswinging corner and this time with Bruce clutching at air the post came to his rescue. 

In 60 minutes Jeanfield created one of the few chances they had in the second half with a chance created from nothing. Roselea allowed Jeanfield an easy throw in which was then knocked up the line to Holden who bore down on Mcleod from the angle but in a similar situation to the chance in the first minute of the game Mcleod stood up well and blocked. 

In 64 minutes a great tackle from Watson on Muirhead saw him advance and almost found Dale Reid at the far post. 

In 66 minutes with Roselea pounding the Jeanfield goal Anderson hit a tremendous volley which bounced just in front of Bruce who did superbly well to hold at the second attempt. Duncan Reid then got a shot away which took a deflection but yet again Bruce sent the ball behind for a corner. When Reids corner came in Whyte got on the end of it but could not direct his header under the bar. 

Roselea made a further change with Fletcher going on for Duncan Reid. 

The game had been played in good spirit but things boiled over in 80 minutes. Mackie of Jeanfield for no apparent reason lunged into a tackle on Reoch and the inevitable melee ensued. There were several guilty parties in the aftermath and after correctly despatching Mackie for the initial foul the ref also showed Craig Anderson a straight red for his part in the incident and that was thought to be harsh. 

Collier replaced Dale Reid as Roselea looked to scrape back into the game. 

Roselea battled away as the light threatened to make viewing hard and there were several more chances with either Bruce saving or in the case of Whytes final chance the conditions playing havoc with a header he would normally hit the back of the net with. The referee called time on a frustrating day for Roselea as darkness won the final battle. 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 0 Jeanfield Swifts 2

Scottish Junior Cup - rd 4 - Jan 18

Benburb  - Whitletts Vics
Cambuslang - Dundonald
Camelon - Carnoustie
Cumnock  - Neilston
Dalry Th  - Cumbernauld
Girvan      - R Glencairn
I.Meadow - Petershill
Kilsyth       - Largs Th
Kilwinning  - Sauchie
Larkhall     - Hurlford
Musselburgh - Glenafton
Pollok        - Penicuik
St Andrews Un - Bo`ness Un
Shotts BA  - Dunbar Un
Tayport    - Hill of Beath
Yoker       - M Roselea