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KIRKCALDY YM v MONTROSE ROSELEA
McBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE
SAT AUG 17th 2013
Roselea made the trip down to Fife in desperate need of points to kick start their Premier League season having narrowly lost their two opening games despite leading and putting in gutsy performances. Kirkcaldy themselves had a difficult start by drawing at near neighbours Glenrothes then losing 4-0 on Tuesday night at home to Penicuik.
Roselea travelled without Craig Anderson who was attending a wedding and Ryan Taylor was still out through injury. Stewart Fletcher who picked up a rib injury also missed out. This meant a starting debut for Jordan Rausch and Scott Riach also came into the side.
Roselea were met by some heavy rain showers when they arrived in Kirkcaldy but this quickly changed to glorious sunshine by kick off time.
Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, Riach, Richardson, Reoch, Rausch, Rae, Collier, Cruickshank, Watson & Reid. Subs: Gammie & Brand
Roselea made a positive start when first James Collier almost got on the end of a Reoch free kick then Watson broke down the left and Rausch almost got on the end of his cross.
Rausch was involved again in 9 minutes but this time at the other end. From a second Kirkcaldy corner Obrien had a great chance when he headed goalward from close range but Rausch was on the post to clear.
Roselea took the lead in 15 minutes with a well worked goal finished by Dale Reid. Rausch flicked the ball onto Watson and his clever header put REID in and he rounded his marker before driving home well from 15 yards.
Roselea doubled their advantage in 25 minutes and again it was danger man Reid who did the damage. Richardson & Reoch almost got themselves in a tangle but the ball was cleared by Taylor and REID ran 15 yards, held off his marker and sent an unstoppable shot from 25 yards past Gay in the home goal.
Kirkcaldy looked for an instant way back into the game and Orrock sent in a 30 yard drive that was not far off target in 27 minutes. Kirkcaldy were forced into a change when Quinn had to be replaced by McNeill.
Rausch then had a great chance to make it three for Roselea in 30 minutes when he cut in from the corner and found himself with sight of goal but he scooped his shot over the top.
Wilson of Kirkcaldy had a good chance when latched onto some lose defending from Roselea but he volleyed over the bar.
WILSON made amends in 38 minutes when he lobbed Mcleod from a similar position as before with Roselea having a good claim for offside.
There were chances at both ends in stoppage time of the first half. Calum Watson cut in well from the left and only a great stop from home keeper Gay prevented him from extending Roselea’s lead and then Wilson flashed a cross across the face of the Roselea goal with no takers much to Roselea’s relief as they went in at half time with a slender lead.
Half Time: Kirkcaldy YM 1 Montrose Roselea 2
Kirkcaldy opened brightly in the second half and Mcleod had to palm a Meikle drive round his near post. The home side then had a great chance when Wilson broke with Meikle on the right hand side but looking yards offside he then cut the ball back to Meikle who appeared to be brought down by Reoch but no penalty was awarded and perhaps squared things up.
Kirkcaldy were awarded a penalty in 52 minutes with a harsh decision against Reoch when the ball took a ricochet off another player and struck him at very close range. ONEILL was not concerned by this and stepped up to strike a great penalty past Mcleod to square the scores.
There was another controversial moment in the 55th minute. Reid was impeded outside the box but the referee appeared to allow an advantage however when the player was brought down inside the box he took play back to the original infringement.
Reid was then awarded another free kick when he was brought down just outside the centre of the penalty box and despite looking for his hatrick his shot was off target.
Roselea had a spell of pressure and in 61 minutes a goalbound Watson shot was charged down then Richardson had a header from a corner tipped over the bar by Gay.
It was end to end stuff and Wilson had a volley just off target then a minute later in 65 mins Greig of Kirkcaldy also went close for the home team with a chipped shot which went just wide.
Gammie replaced Rausch in 66 minutes for Roselea and was soon in the thick of the action a couple of minutes after coming on which saw a great double chance squandered by Roselea.
First of all Watson stole the ball from Page in the left corner and crossed to the front post area and Gammie looked to have done everything right to guide the ball into the net but it went narrowly over. Then four minutes later Watson dispossessed Obrien just over the half way line and ran on before squaring to Gammie whose shot was deflected by the legs of the keeper back to Watson and with two men on the line his left footed shot managed to find one of them on the line who cleared.
Just in line with their two other matches Roselea were to rue these missed chances and Kirkcaldy then saw a spell of pressure which culminated in a goal from WILSON after a low cross cannoned off of Mcleod into his path and he bundled home from close range in 82 minutes.
This deflated Roselea however they still had time for one last chance right at the end when Collier drove into the box on the left hand side but could not direct his shot on target.
Full Time: Kirkcaldy YM 3 Montrose Roselea 2
This was yet another harsh lesson on how cruel football can be in the Premier League as the team battled bravely to earn their first win only to throw it away. The team should not be despondent and from previous ventures into this level they should take heart that they are competing and defeats can be easily turned into draws.
Next up for Roselea will be a home match against Broughty Athletic who have made a decent start with a win and a draw from their 3 matches. The match at Broomfield Park kicks off at 2.30pm
MONTROSE ROSELEA v LIVINGSTON UTD
EAST PREMIER LEAGUE
SAT AUG 10th 2013
Roselea having completed a satisfactory pre season campaign undefeated went into the opening Premier League game full of optimism facing one of the promoted sides from the South Division. This was Roselea’s fourth venture into this grade and from previous experience they knew that a good start is required if they are to cut it at this level. With 16 teams in the Division and four relegation places survival will be the main goal with promotion going to be very difficult against some quality sides.
On the playing side Ryan Taylor was injured and Michael Cruickshank unavailable so Manager Ralph Brand drafted in a Trialist at left back.
Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, Reoch, Richardson, Trialist, Anderson, Rae, Collier, Fletcher, Watson & Reid. Subs: Rausch, Riach, Gammie & Brand.
Roselea were up against it in the first couple of minutes when Livingston’s left winger tested Paul Taylor for pace and won a corner. The corner was curled in and despite Mcleod looking comfortable to hold he spilled and almost gave the visitors an early bonus but Reoch cleared with his head.
Two minutes later Mcleod had to be alert when Livingston’s tall striker was put through and although Mcleod blocked the shot offside had already been given.
The visitors took the lead in 6 minutes and although the warnings had been there it was a horrible deflection which beat Mcleod. The tall striker flicked the ball on to their centre forward and he layed the ball back into the patch of BURNS who shot from 25 yards and the ball took a deflection off Reoch to send the ball away from Mcleod into the corner of the net.
Livingston forced a couple of scrambles in the Roselea box which ended with the ball rebounding off their centre half and out to safety.
Roselea had their first real sight of goal in 14 minutes when Fletcher received a quick free kick and when his cross was cleared to Richardson the defender could not direct his shot on target.
In 15 minutes Collier flicked on an Anderson throw in and although Reid managed to rise well to head goalwards he couldn’t get enough power in to trouble the keeper.
In 18 minutes the Livingston left winger was lucky to stay on the field after he had a late lunge on Anderson who had got the better of a tussle for the ball but received a yellow card. From the free kick Watson was given offside when it must have been a tight decision.
Roselea, after a slow opening were coming more into things and forced a series of corners. In 28 minutes Roselea were awarded a penalty when Collier first headed the ball against a Livingston defender with a claim for handball then he crossed and the full back handled on the bye line with the referee this time awarding a spot kick. Watson stepped up and sent the ball low towards the corner but the ball lacked pace and the keeper made an excellent save to shatter the home sides hopes.
Roselea weren’t to be denied and they got they equaliser they deserved in 38 minutes. Another deep corner was headed back across goal by Collier and hit REOCH on the line and the ball bundled into the net.
Half Time Roselea 1 Livingston Utd 1
Both sides started the second half full of promise and Livingston were first to press however the Trialist full back for Roselea cleared. At the other end Reid harassed the defenders and managed to get a stabbed shot away but it went just off target.
Roselea went ahead in 55 minutes from another penalty. Anderson chased a lost cause as the ball headed to the corner flag and the big left back eventually tracked him back into the penalty box before bringing him down from behind. Dale REID was the man chosen this time and he smacked a very well hit ball past the keeper who had made a valiant effort to stop it.
Roselea were on a high and they had two further chances on 60 minutes. First, Reid broke down the right bye line and didn’t see Watson peel off and didn’t manage to pick him out before his own shot was blocked then Watson had his own chance but was thwarted when the keep stood firm to save.
Craig Anderson had yet another amazing run for a lost cause as the keeper went to gather in the corner flag as he covered 40 yards to put him under pressure. The keeper lost the ball and as Anderson drove towards the box they tangled with the free kick surprisingly going in the favour of the keeper.
Yet another penalty in 65 minutes saw Livingston draw level against the run of play this time it was more controversial. Livingstons number 8 was tripped by Richardson outside the box and the referee allowed him to see if an advantage was to be had and after 5 strides and seeing a shot away the referee pulled play back and awarded a penalty. FORBES gladly accepted the gift as any player would do and sent the penalty low and hard through Mcleods hands but the power prevented him making any contact.
Watson got in a header from a Fletcher cross but it was well held at the near post then Livingston’s right back floated in a cross that almost deceived Mcleod all in the 67th minute.
Roselea desperately wanted to start with a win and looked to freshen things up when Gammie replaced Reid in 75 minutes.
Roselea couldn’t conjure up anything and as time drifted away there was a horrible feeling that the visitors might sneak the three points. After a header was narrowly headed wide in the 86th minute the warning was not taken and MURPHY bundled home from close range in similar fashion to Reoch in the first half.
Full Time: Montrose Roselea 2 Livingston Utd 3
This was a shattering blow to the start of the League campaign but also a harsh lesson that at this level teams need to be killed off when the chances come. In saying that they deserved at least a draw as a minimum for their performance and should take great heart from it. On this performance and a few breaks the squad have nothing to fear in the Premier League.
The team now play their only midweek match against Kirrie Thistle (Away) on Tuesday 13th 7pm then travel to another side who were promoted last season when they head for Fife to meet Kirkcaldy YM with Kick Off being 2pm. Directions: Denfield Park, Den Road, Kirkcaldy, KY11 2ER
MONTROSE ROSELEA v JEANFIELD SWIFTS
GA CUP FINAL, WHITTON PARK, BROUGHTY ATH
SAT MAY 25th 2013
Roselea travelled to Whitton Park the home of Broughty Athletic for the GA Cup final which is contested by Tayside and North Teams. Roselea have a great recent record in this competition having been losing finalists to Lochee Utd by 3-2 in 2005/6 season then winning the 2006/7 competition 12-11 on penalties after drawing 1-1 with Forfar West End. Jeanfield Swifts are the current holders after winning against Culter at Sunnybank last May. Roselea were defeated 5-0 by Jeanfield in the Scottish Junior cup replay after a 1-1 draw in Montrose in February.
Roselea entered the game with a major headache with two left sided players Ewan Graham missing through holiday and Ryan Taylor who was carried off in Monday nights win over Forfar Albion. Veteran co Manager Doug Craig was drafted in at left back to prevent major reshuffling of other positions.
Whitton Park was in perfect condition for the final and it was a credit to their Groundsman. Roselea as always carried a big support through to Dundee for the final.
Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, Craig, Reoch, Whyte, Cruickshank, Rae, Collier, Anderson, Watson & Reid. Subs: Watt, Ross, Beedie, Riach, & Brand.
Jeanfield were first to threaten in 8 minutes after Holt played the ball to Mackie and Mcleod did well to come and block the ball for a corner. When the corner came in dangerman John Anderson was given too much room and this time Mcleod saved the big strikers header with his feet.
Jeanfield took the lead in 12 minutes when a Holt shot was not properly cleared by the Roselea defence and ANDERSON swept the ball into the corner of the net from 12 yards.
Roselea started to come into things and Reid had a shot from the edge of the box deflected behind for a corner in 17 minutes. Cruickshank sent in a dangerous inswinging corner and Whyte forced a great save from Bruce in the Swifts goal.
Roselea were getting on top at half hour stage and Craig had a dipping shot just go over the bar then Rae had a shot which went agonisingly along the face of the goal.
There was to be a massive let off for Jeanfield in 37 minutes when Cruickshank crossed to the far post and the normally reliable Paul Whyte just couldn’t direct his header on target with the goal gaping.
Roselea finished the half the stronger team but but just couldn’t turn their superiority into goals.
Half Time Montrose Roselea 0 Jeanfield Swifts 1
Roselea came out with a belief that they could get back into the game but disaster struck just two minutes into the second period. Holden was allowed to run at Reoch and he twisted and turned before slipping a lovely pass to MACKIE and he slotted the ball into the net from 14 yards.
In 50 minutes Roselea had a big let off after Jeanfield were allowed to take a short corner and when the cross came in Holt headed the ball against the bar.
Roselea were needing a shot in the vein to get back at Jeanfield and Cruickshank had a great chance in 60 minutes when a Rae pass put him through but Bruce stood his ground and saved the right footed shot.
In 62 minutes Mcleod had to tip a 30 yard Holt drive over the bar.
It was 3-0 to Jeanfield in 67 minutes and effectively game over when ANDERSON netted his second after getting a kind break of the ball just inside the box but finished well.
Roselea made a change with Ross replacing Rae in midfield in 75 minutes.
Roselea kept plugging away but there was to be no way back and the excellent Jeanfield side were never going to give anything away before the end.
Full Time: Montrose Roselea 0 Jeanfield Swifts 3
A cup final loss is never easy to take but Roselea can come away with their heads held high as they were beaten by a very good Swifts team. Had they managed to get a goal it could have been a very different story. Swifts now are one of only three teams to have retained the GA Cup.
Roselea can look on this as a successful season with promotion achieved from a very tight league and getting to the final of an Inter Regional Cup final is a fantastic achievement for a club with limited resources. They will now take part in the new look 16 team Premier League and will be up against clubs of a similar stature to Jeanfield. It will be tough but with the younger players now benefiting from further experience they should be in a position to compete.
Roselea will round off the season with a meal at the Mercantile Golf Club then a trophy presentation evening at the Clubs main Sponsors The Golf Inn at 7.30pm. All supporters and family are welcome to attend the Trophy presentation event.
MONTROSE ROSELEA v FORFAR
ALBION
McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISON
MON MAY 20th 2013
Roselea had little time to feel down after losing out in the Title decider with Kirrie Thistle on Saturday with a promotion clinching win required against Forfar Albion on Monday night. Roselea made two positional change with returning skipper Paul Whyte coming into the centre of defence and Jo Reoch slotting in for Paul Taylor at right back. Michael Cruickshank started in front of Danny Ross who joined Paul Taylor on the bench.
Roselea: Mcleod, Reoch, Whyte, Graham, R Taylor, Anderson, Rae, Collier, Cruickshank, Watson & Reid. Subs: Watt, P Taylor, Riach, Ross & Beedie.
After the horrendous conditions of Saturday, Broomfield was flat calm on a night which was great for football.
Roselea started in determined fashion but looked anxious with several over hit passes and late tackles disrupting the flow of the game. The first real chance came in 20 minutes when Cruickshank and Collier combining well with the former getting to the bye line but over hitting his cross and past Watson at the far post.
Albion were not going to let Roselea get it all their own way and after Anderson conceded a free kick on the left hand side Black shot over from a loose ball when he should have done better.
Roselea finally got the breakthrough to calm the nerves in 33 minutes with a well worked goal. Cruickshank played a great one-two with Reid who spun the ball over the defenders head and hit a low cross for Calum WATSON to slot home from close in.
Roselea lost Ryan Taylor after he landed awkwardly on his knee and he was replaced by brother Paul.
It was 2-0 just three minutes later when Watson turned provider and Dale REID produced a great finish to further settle the nerves.
Half Time: Roselea 2 Forfar Albion 0
Roselea looked far more composed and it was no surprise when they scored a third in 55 minutes. Anderson sent a ball up the line to Collier and his excellent cross was attacked well by WATSON to loop a header over Easton into the net.
Calum WATSON completed his hatrick just after the hour when substitute Riach picked him out with a great pass and he lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper into the net.
Reid missed from a tight angle in 85 minutes then WATSON grabbed his fourth of the night when he poked home from a scramble in the box.
Full Time: Montrose Roselea 5 Forfar Albion 0
A very young and determined Forfar Albion side went out to frustrate Roselea and they deserve great credit for doing so for the first half hour but after the first goal went in there was only going to be one winner. Roselea made it by the skin of their teeth on goal difference from East Craigie who were beaten by a late goal the previous Wednesday and Forfar West End who finished two points back but were deducted 6 points at the start of the season.
Roselea now head to Whitton Park, Broughty to take on Jeanfield in the GA Cup Final on Sat May 25th with a 2.30pm KO. The Roselea bus which leaves from the Golf Inn at 12.00 is now full.
KIRRIE SNATCH TITLE WITH LAST THROW OF THE DYCE
MONTROSE ROSELEA v KIRRIE THISTLE
McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISON
SAT MAY 18th 2013
Roselea faced the first of three games in what would be the biggest week in their history. Wins against Kirrie Thistle & Forfar Albion in the League and Jeanfield Swifts in the final of the GA Cup would surpass any achievements in the clubs history. Kirrie Thistle however had forged a two point advantage leading into the game and a win would secure the Title for them on the day. Despite Roselea winning their last 7 games in the League the Kirrie side had also kept up an impressive run to lead. The sides last met on the 2nd March with a 3-3 draw being a fair result and was the last time Roselea did not take all three points.
Holidaying captain Paul Whyte aside the Management team of Ralph Brand & Doug Craig otherwise had a full compliment to pick from.
A strong northerly wind and driving rain would make conditions very difficult for both teams on a pitch which was looking top notch for the time of the year.
Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Reoch, Graham, Ross, Collier, Anderson, Rae, Watson & Reid. Subs: Watt, Beedie, Riach, Cruickshank & Brand
Roselea were playing into the wind and rain and it was no surprise when Kirrie took the game to them with Russell going narrowly wide with a 30 yard drive in 5 minutes then Farquharson should have opened the scoring with a header in 8 minutes.
Kirrie took the lead in 10 minutes from a free kick that Roselea felt aggrieved should have been theirs when Danny Ross appeared to be impeded as he attempted to clear. Robert SMITH took the kick from 22 yards and his low drive squirmed under Mcleod and into the net with the conditions playing a part.
It took Roselea 26 minutes to find a chance as they battled against the conditions. A clearance was intercepted by Ross and the ball broke to Reid however he was adjudged to be offside.
Roselea did get another chance two minutes later when Ryan Taylor fed Danny Ross down the left hand side and his switch found Anderson who struck a decent shot from the corner of the 18 yard box but Stewart was well placed to handle well.
Graham gave away a foul in the corner in 34 minutes and Smiths whipped ball went just past the post.
Roselea would have been happy to go in one down at half time but Kirrie had other ideas and added a second in 40 minutes. A long ball caught out the Roselea defence as it bounced through and SIEVEWRIGHT did well to shoot home from a very tight angle.
Things were looking bad for Roselea but they got a lifeline in 43 minutes when Farquharson of the visitors was shown a red card for a stamp on Craig Anderson leaving them with 10 men.
Half Time: Roselea 0 Kirrie Thistle 2
Roselea made a change at the break with Cruickshank replacing Ross in an attempt to take the game to Kirrie.
Crucikshank had his first involvment in 53 minutes when he took a free kick 25 yards out but Stewart held ball well.
Roselea were pressing Kirrie and got a goal back in 55 minutes. Calum Watson picked the ball up 25 yards out and played it out to Craig ANDERSON and he cut in before drilling a curling shot with the outside of his right foot to pull Roselea right back into things.
Reid had a great chance to level from a corner 5 minutes later but he blasted over from close range under pressure.
Roselea got the game level in 67 minutes when a great cross found Calum WATSON at the back post and he directed the ball beyond Stewart into the net.
Kirrie have another blow against them in 70 minutes when keeper Stewart had to leave the field of play and was replaced by outfield player Russell.
In 80 minutes Roselea have a let off at one end when Anderson sliced a clearance from a corner before it was scrambled clear by Reoch and he stormed to the other end playing a 1-2 with Watson before spreading the ball wide to Reid who elected to cross rather than testing the stand in keeper and the danger was gone.
Roselea kept pushing for the winner that would almost guarantee the Title however they couldn’t find the killer pass and disaster struck 4 minutes into stoppage time. Sievewright broke on the right and squared for the in rushing MILLAR who scored from close range and send the Kirrie players and support into raptures.
Final Score: Montrose Roselea 2 Kirrie Thistle 3
In a classic game of two halves Kirrie Thistle probably just deserved their victory however it was a sickening winner to lose. A draw would have kept Roselea in with a shout of the Title but nobody could grudge Kirrie Thistle being champions. Roselea can now make sure of promotion with a win over Forfar Albion (H) on Monday 18th KO 7.15pm. They can also make it the most successful in the Clubs history with a win in the GA Cup Final however that will be tough against Jeanfield Swifts. The final will be played at Whitton Park the home of Broughty Athletic on Sat May 25th KO 2.30pm
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