COUPAR ANGUS v MONTROSE ROSELEA

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION
SAT JAN 5^th 2012 

Roselea travelled to Foxhall Park, Coupar Angus after it passed a pitch inspection in the morning. Although it was heavy it was perfectly playable but expected to cut up as the game progressed. Graham Allan returned to the squad after missing out due to work commitments and there was a welcome return for Craig Anderson who had finally finished his ban which was prolonged due to cancelled games. Anderson fitted into a central midfield berth alongside Rae with Danny Ross dropping to the bench. Calum Watson recovering from a midweek virus also dropped to the bench. Roselea were still smarting from the fact that they should have taken all three points the previous week against East Craigie and only a win against the Leagues pointless bottom side would keep them in touch. 

Roselea: Easton, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Riach, Rae, Anderson, Cruickshank, Reid & Collier. Subs: Allan, Milne, Urquhart, Watson & Ross. 

Roselea were first to threaten on a very heavy surface when Reid was sharp and brought down 25 yards out in 4 minutes. Collier took the free kick but couldn’t emulate his effort of the previous week as it went just past the post. Craig Anderson was next to have a go for Roselea as he beat three Coupar defenders before his shot was tipped over for a corner in 7 minutes. 

Coupar Angus showed the visitors that it would not all be one way traffic and the lively Kennedy picked up a clearance from a corner before nutmegging Ryan Taylor before shooting just over the bar in 10 minutes. 

In 12 minutes James Collier had a strong run into the box before cutting back to Cruickshank who hit the target but his shot was too central to bother Mackie in the goals. Dale Reid then had a great chance to open the scoring on 20 minutes when he was sent clear with only Mackie to beat, he tried to slide the ball under the keeper who made a good save and cleared. A minute later a long diagonal ball from Reoch saw Collier perfectly control the ball but somehow he managed to screw his shot wide from 10 yards out as Roselea continued to be frustrated. 

Coupar Angus almost shocked Roselea with a goal in 22 minutes after all the chances which had gone begging. Easton flapped at a corner and Mitchell headed goalwards only to be denied by Ryan Taylor’s clearance on the line. Ferrier of Coupar Angus picked up a booking in 29 minutes for a foul on Reid and Ryan Taylor was not far away this time with the 25 yard free kick. 

 It was still all Roselea with nothing to show for it and Reid headed a looping Cruickshank ball just over in 34 minutes. Anderson was next up for Roselea with a great surging run into the box but disappointed when his finish went weakly wide. 

The breakthrough finally came in the 37^th minute when REID had a carbon copy of his earlier chance however this time he elected to round Mackie and managed to slide the ball home despite the efforts of the keeper. Roselea continued to dominate the half and made it 2-0 in 42 minutes. Riach showed great composure to slide the ball into COLLIER and he took a touch before sliding home with Coupar Angus appealing for an offside. 

Half Time: Coupar Angus 0 Montrose Roselea 2

Three minutes into the second half Coupar Angus again showed that they were not there to be walked over when KENNEDY was given time and space to turn and hit a great chipped shot over Easton and into the corner of the net. 

Roselea had their first chance of the half when a Whyte header from a Cruickshank corner went just over the top. Collier should have increased the lead in 59 minutes when Reid slipped a ball to him in the box but once again he screwed his shot wide. 

Coupar Angus had two chances to equalise in 60 minutes when Mackie had a free header from a free kick and only a great save from Easton stopped him scoring. The ball came in from the corner and in the scramble Easton had to make another great save to keep Roselea ahead. 

Roselea made a change in 64 minutes with Calum Watson replacing Scott Riach. 

Cruickshank went close with a free kick in 65 minutes and it could not have been far away from hitting the post. Roselea finally released the pressure on them with a goal in 66 minutes. Paul Taylor received a short corner and delivered an excellent ball into the box, when it broke in the box Paul WHYTE scored with a brilliant overhead kick from close range. 

Roselea made it 4-1 from the spot in 68 minutes. Collier showed great strength before being brought down with the referee allowing the chance of an advantage which came to nothing. Calum WATSON stepped up and struck a great penalty giving Mackie no chance. 

Roselea made another change in 76 minutes with Urquhart replacing Cruickshank who had worked hard. Anderson hit a great swerving shot in 79 minutes from 25 yards and Mackie did well to turn it behind for a corner. Roselea made it 5 from the corner when Anderson’s corner was headed across goal by Whyte and URQUHART made no mistake from 4 yards out with a low header. 

Milne replaced Rae for Roselea in 80 minutes

Watson had another chance in 85 minutes when he bore into the box and his low shot was palmed onto the post by Mackie in the home goal. There was still time for two red cards for the home team in the closing minutes with Ferrier and Scrimegour both being dismissed for second yellow offences. 

Full Time: Coupar Angus 1 Montrose Roselea 5

MONTROSE ROSELEA v DUNDEE EAST CRAIGIE

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SAT DEC 29^th 2012

Roselea were back on League business after an enforced weather break stringing back to November 24^th. Sitting 6 points behind League leaders North End they desperately needed a win over fellow promotion candidates East Craigie who are a much improved side this season. Ross Mcleod missed out attending a Wedding and 17 year old Dean Easton stepped in on loan from Montrose FC. The only other absentee for the home side was the suspended Craig Anderson who is serving his last game of a 3 match ban.

Despite the recent heavy rain Broomfield Park was in perfect condition thanks to the efforts of the Groundstaff.

Roselea: Easton, Rae, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Reid, Riach, Ross, Cruickshank, Watson & Collier. Subs: Milne, Urquhart, P Taylor , Brand & Craig.

In an even opening Craigie broke and his shot hit the rear of Ryan Taylor who then sent Cruickshank away and his cross was met by Watson who was in an offside position.

Roselea were needing a win and disaster struck in the 4^th minute. Craigie were awarded a free kick just 5 yards into the Roselea half however SMALL sent in a long free kick which deceived Easton in the home goal who had expected a cross. It was not clear if the shot was meant but it was still a great strike.

Cruickshank was looking lively for the Lea and on a couple of occasions got past his opposing player and put in dangerous crosses.

Easton was almost caught out again when a long clearance bounced awkwardly and luckily for him it was off target.

Roselea fell further behind on the 18^th minute. Small turned provider as he jinked his way down the line and put in a perfect cross for CONSTABLE to head home at the far post from 6 yards out.

Roselea had a penalty claim turned down in 28 minutes when Ross sent Reid down the right and Watson tumbled in the box as he attempted to head home with Cruickshank just a yard short when the ball broke at the back post.

Roselea were pressing East Craigie and their hard work paid off when they were awarded a penalty in 35 minutes when Watson was brought down by visiting keeper Adam who escaped a booking. Ross stepped up for the kick however his effort was high and wide of the target.

Roselea got back into the game in the 39^th minute with a goal after the penalty disappointment. Watson slid in with Adam and the ball broke to Ross outside the box and he shot just over however Adam followed through and a free kick was awarded. Adam was booked this time for his foul. James COLLIER was taking no prisoners with his dipping shot going through the wall and the sheer power beat Adam from 20 yards.

Scott Riach had a great speculative left footed shot from 35 yards that just cleared the Craigie bar in 43 minutes and that was the last of the first half action.

Half Time: Roselea 1 East Craigie 2

Roselea got the perfect start they wanted to the second half when Dale REID the on loan Montrose FC signing getting the equaliser in 48 minutes. The ball broke in the box and with keeper Adam looking the favourite to win the challenge Reid never gave up and the ball broke off him and into the net.

Roselea thought they had taken the lead in the 54^th minute when Whyte headed a Cruickshank corner goalwards and there were claims the ball had crossed the line as Craigie cleared.

East Craigie almost increased their lead in the 57^th minute when Small picked up a lose ball at the corner of the box and fired a great shot which was goalbound before Reoch got a slight touch with his head to divert the ball behind for a corner. Small took the corner and when the ball was cleared back to him he found Scrimegour in acres of room however he screwed his header wide to give Roselea another let off.

Roselea got back level in 64 minutes and it was REID again who got the important goal. Ryan Taylor had a great run from the left back area beating four men before cutting the ball back and after Watson dummied the ball fell to Reid who scored from close range.

It was a game where a one goal cushion was never going to be enough and Roselea thought they had scored a perfectly good goal when Reid headed home a Watson cross in 69 minutes. The Assistant had a different view on matters and raised his flag for a puzzling offside which denied Reid his hat trick.

Roselea had another chance to go further ahead in 74 minutes. This time Whyte challenged Adam at a corner and ball broke to half time sub Urquhart who volleyed over when he should have hit the target.

East Craigie had an immediate chance to equalise when danger man Small sent in a cross which hit the Roselea bar and Whyte had to be alert to clear the ball back into the box.

Play was swinging from end to end and Roselea had a further chance in 76 minutes. Adam came off his line to clear and only found Watson who couldn’t get a shot away early enough with the keeper stranded and when he did shoot McFarlane had got back to clear. The danger was not over and Reid picked up the loose ball before bringing a save out of Adam who turned behind for a corner.

In 79 minutes Roselea failure to close the game came back to bite them when Craigie were awarded a penalty after Ryan Taylor brought Hart down as he attempted to clear. SCRIMEGOUR stepped up showed Ross how to do it as he blasted the ball home.

Both sides had half chances as the game petered out with Ryan Taylor making amends for his penalty loss as he cleared the ball off the line with 2 minutes left.

Final Score: Montrose Roselea 3 East Craigie 3

Both teams will be disappointed with the result for various reasons. From a Roselea viewpoint it was the inability to finish the game off with a vital 4^th goal which would have sealed the three points. The decision to rule off Dale Reids header was vital with the player appearing to head home after he attacked the ball from an onside position. Results elsewhere meant Roselea did not lose ground with the leaders however both Forfar West End and Kirrie Thistle won meaning the race for the two promotion spots is becoming more difficult.

MONTROSE ROSELEA v DOWNFIELD JFC

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SAT NOV 24^th 2012. 

Roselea faced Downfield in the latest McBookie.com North Division match. Roselea trailed Downfield by three points but carried a two game advantage over the Dundee side. After the fine win over Maryhill in the Scottish Cup the Roselea squad was boosted by the return of Calum Rae & James Collier both from hamstring injuries. On the negative side Craig Anderson was serving the first of a two game suspension and Colin Kennedy had departed for Ghana on work. Broomfield Park was in excellent condition on a damp day and had recovered from the early morning frost. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Allan, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Riach, Ross, Rae, Cruickshank, Watson & Collier. Subs: Reid, Milne, P Taylor, Brand & Craig

Roselea started brightly and forced a corner in the first minute however Thain in the Downfield goal came and held confidently 

Downfield then came into things and looked sharp with their passing. They too forced a couple of early corners but again Mcleod in the home goal dealt with them as he should. 

Roselea had a great chance to take the lead when a great crossfield ball from Riach found Cruickshank at the far his post and his great volley looked to be goalbound before it hit his own player Collier who deflected the ball past the post. 

Cruickshank was giving Downfield great difficulty on the left hand side and there was an appeal for a penalty when another cross was blocked for a corner.  

Ralph Henderson of Downfield could have been the first booking of the game in the 12^th minute when he went in heavy on Watson from behind.

Watson and Deuchars of Downfield then clashed off the ball with Deuchars appealing that he had been tripped off the ball when he ended up on the turf. 

Calum Rae did well to get back and block a shot from Scott and the ball fell behind for a corner. 

Half Time: Roselea 0 Downfield 0

Early in the second half Watson flicked the ball wide to Riach who headed for the byeline before cutting the ball back to Watson who got on the end of the cross and scooped over the bar. Roselea started the second half well and it just seemed as if it wasn’t going to be Calum Watsons day. Scott Riach chipped a perfect ball into his chest which he took down and just couldn’t get enough on his shot to trouble Thain in the Downfield goal. 

Downfield won a free kick 25 yards out and it was clear that Ferrie was going to have a right blast at it. Fortunately for Roselea the ball went wide with Mcleod showing anger at his wall for not following his instructions. 

Bremner then had a great strike for Downfield from 30 yards his only downfall was that it was right down the middle however Mcleod had to make sure he held with Scott following up. 

Roselea made a change in 73 when Dale Reid replaced Riach as they tried to take the game more to Downfield 

Some great play by Michael Cruickshank saw him cut the ball back to Watson and his curling shot was well saved by Thain. 

Roselea’s afternoon was going to go from bizarre to obscene from the 80^th minute onwards.  

Downfield broke and Scott raced for a ball with Mcleod on the corner of the 18 yard box, Reoch nipped in to clear the danger and with him in possession of the ball near the corner flag with nobody near him Mcleods momentum saw him collide with Scott. The referee pointed to the spot and awarded a penalty. Ferrie stepped up and blasted the ball about chest high right down the middle and somehow Mcleod, who had already started to dive managed to get his hand to the ball and beat it out for a corner. 

There was more woe for Ferrie as he had another chance from the corner but scooped over. 

Ryan Taylor combined with Cruickshank and sent in a dangerous cross which Thain did well to flick away from the in rushing Collier. Calum Rae was next to have a shot saved by visiting keeper Thain when he connected well with a Taylor cutback as he arrived in the box.  

Roselea were sure they had opened the scoring in the 85^th minute when Paul Whyte bulleted a header into the net. At first the referee appeared to award a goal however after a pause he seemed to change his mind and awarded a free kick for handball. In the resulting confusion Calum Rae was red carded for comments made to an opposition player. 

The script had been written and it was no surprise when Downfield scored what proved to be the winner in the 87^th minute and it was a goal worthy of winning any game. Scott REYNOLDS picked up a lose ball at the edge of the box and cut inside before curling a great shot over Mcleod and into the corner of the net. 

There was still time for ten man Roselea to create two more chances and it was Calum Watson who again got on the end of them but still couldn’t for a draw with Thain again thwarting him. 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 0 Downfield 1

 This was a painful defeat for Roselea who missed a handful of chances however nothing can be taken away from Downfield who had good spells of possession especially in the second half and the winning goal was a delightful finish. The big turning point came with the disallowed goal and red card followed by the cruel goal minutes later.  

Roselea travel to Forfar Albion on Sat December 1^st and will try and pick themselves up from this painful defeat. The match at Guthrie Park kicks off at 1.45pm

MONTROSE ROSELEA v MARYHILL

EMIRATES SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP 3^rd ROUND

SAT NOV 17^th 2012 

Roselea faced Central 2^nd Division leaders Maryhill at Broomfield in the 3^rd Round of the Emirates Junior Cup on Saturday. There was a blow for Roselea in the build up to the game with both James Collier and Calum Rae suffering injuries which meant that both missed the tie. Dale Reid returned after his swift return back to a suspension hit Montrose the previous week. It was Colin Kennedys last game before moving to Ghana for work and Stewart Fletcher who is also leaving for Australia was also in attendance. Broomfield Park was in excellent condition for the tie and a decent travelling support welcomed their team on to the pitch. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Allan, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Riach, Anderson, Ross, Kennedy, Watson & Reid. Subs: P Taylor, Milne, Urquhart & Cruickshank.

Roselea kicked off facing a strong, low sun and gave Maryhill an early sign of their intentions to progress in the tie. Calum Watson had an snapshot go just wide and then in 5 minutes Dale Reid had a shot hit the inside of the post and the ball spun back accross the face of the goal.

Danny Ross was next to try his luck for Roselea in 10 mins after he turned from a throw in but his final shot was off target.

Roselea were looking strong and they evntually took the lead in 20 minutes. Good work in midfield by Craig Anderson opened up the Hill defence and Danny ROSS finished well from 14 yards out.

Watson had another chance for Roselea in 25 minutes when he turned his marker in the box but was again just off target with his shot.

Maryhill had their first real effort on goal on the half hour mark but the headed effort went over the bar.

This was a warning for Roselea and Maryhill did indeed equalise in 34 minutes. SCOBIE found room at the back post and he hit a great volley from 15 yards giving Mcleod no chance in the home goal.

Roselea's chances were given a massive hit in 40 minutes when Craig Anderson was shown a straight red card after a late tackle.

Roselea got their noses in front again and the goal came at the right time, right on the stroke of half time. Reid won a header on the half way line and sent Calum WATSON on his way and he finished well past the advancing Maryhill keeper.

Half Time: Roselea 2 Maryhill 1

Roselea made a tactical change at half time with Robert Urquhart replacing Dale Reid to leave Calum Watson as the sole striker up front. 

Maryhill forced an early corner in the second half and Scott Riach did his job at the back post by clearing off the line.

Urquhart then broke at the other end and Watson had his shot blocked for a corner.

Roselea were defending well by limiting the chances available to Maryhill and got their reward when they scored a thrid goal from the penalty spot in 55 minutes. Roselea had been awarded a free kick and Kennedy blasted the ball into the wall and it struck a hand. Calum WATSON stepped up and scored with the perfect kick.

Maryhill battled away and tried desperatley to get back in the game but the Roselea rearguard were not in the mood to give up the preciosu lead.

Roselea made a further change with Riach being replaced by Cruickshank in 75 minutes.

Maryhill managed to have a couple of chances before the end with Mcleod making one great save but Roselea held out for a fine victory.

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 3 Maryhill 1

This was a hard earned victory for Roselea but a well deserved one having played for a half with 10 men. If anything the sending off helped Roselea and gave them more drive and passion. There were some great displays with Dale Reid looking lively before he was replaced and the defensive unit working well to keep Maryhill at bay. Danny Ross was chosen as Match Sponsors Gill Financial Services Ltd and the Smokey Crews Man of the match. Roselea now enter the last 32 of the cup in Round 4 which has been held back until Jan 19th this season.

Roselea face Downfield at Broomfield Park on Saturday 24th and every game is a must win in a very tight North Division. Kick Off is at 1.45pm.

MONTROSE ROSELEA v BLAIRGOWRIE

JFCMCBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SAT NOV 10^TH 2012 

Roselea entertained old foes Blairgowrie desperate to put a 3 League game losing run behind them. This was the clubs third clash of the year with Roselea having won the League Cup and reverse League fixtures at Davie Park. In the back of the Roselea minds the Blair side had knocked them out of the Scottish Cup a year ago at Montrose. 

Roselea welcomed Ryan Taylor back into the squad from injury following his successful comeback game v Johnshaven on the Monday night. Michael Cruickshank dropped out the side due to injury. There were a few positional changes with Scott Riach, Colin Kennedy and Danny Ross coming into the starting line up, replacing Robert Urquhart, Paul Taylor and Craig Anderson as the home side tried freshen things up. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Allan, Whyte, Reoch, R Taylor, Riach, Rae, Ross, Kennedy, Collier & Watson. Subs: Anderson, Urquhart, Milne, P Taylor & Cruickshank.

On a typical crisp November day the match kicked off on a flat surface, little wind and a very low sun making things difficult for the home keeper in the first half. 

From the off it was clear that Blairgowrie had arrived with their intentions of playing the offside trap with the referee having to make three calls within the first 5 mins with two looking correct and one perhaps not.  

Roselea did break the offside trap in 9 mins when Watson sprung wide left and squared to Collier who rounded the keeper however it took him wide and made a cross ball difficult with Obrien equal to the challenge holding his cross well. 

Collier again broke the offside trap in 15 minutes however the ball did not break kindly for him as it bounced over his head and behind him and although Rae followed up the ball broke clear for a relieved Blairgowrie. 

Blairgowrie then forced a series of three corners which were cleared first by Whyte heading then Mcleod punched twice away. 

Roselea had a great chance to take the lead in 31 minutes when Collier again beat the offside trap and found himself clear however a heavy touch took the ball into the path of Obrien who saved well before Watson squared only to find a Blair defender the only person in the box.  

Blair broke form a corner and only a “good” booking for Riach took the pressure off the home defence. Blairgowrie had a penalty appeal turned down in 33 minutes when French chased a ball in the box but it would have been a surprising and harsh award if given. 

James Collier pulled a hamstring and had to be replaced by Craig Anderson on 40 minutes. The half continued in much the same vein with the home side continually frustrated by tight offside calls which could have gone either way and near on impossible for an official without Assistants. 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 0 Blairgowrie 0

Danny Ross was starting to give Blair some problems after his move to a more forward position and won a free kick in 48 minutes.

The ball was tapped to the side and Ryan Taylors cross come shot had to be tipped over by Obrien.  

In 55 minutes Anderson went on a run and brought out another block from Obrien and then from the corner by Kennedy,

Ross headed just over as he adjusted himself well to get the header in. 

Roselea made another change with Cruickshank coming on for Kennedy in 63 minutes. Crucikshank was straight into the action and sent in a dangerous corner which Blair struggled to clear before it was to Anderson at the edge of the box and his low shot was easily held. 

Blairgowrie broke down the right with Murison in 65 minutes and his cross was met by McDonald at the far post but his shot lacked enough power to trouble Mcleod. 

Roselea were looking likelier to score and it eventually came for them in the 69^th minute. Some good play in midfield from Cruickshank saw him slip Anderson away and he rounded the keeper before crossing to Ross to head goalwards and only after Obrien made a remarkable save RAE followed up to score from a tight angle. 

Anderson should have scored himself following a great run through the Blairgowrie defence in 75 mins. He picked the ball up 25 yards out and dribbled round 2 defenders before over running the ball to Obrien who spilled it back to the midfielder who missed an open goal possibly surprised he even got the chance. 

Roselea were well on top and Watson almost got his head to a Cruickshank free kick in 77 minutes. Another great ball from Cruickshank then found Riach who had a great touch before being foiled by a good tackle. 

Blairgowrie were not finished and in 86 minutes they tested Roselea’s resolve twice in a minute. Murison took of down the right before cutting in and with Roselea closing down the cut back he shot from a narrow angle forcing Mcleod to turn the ball behind for a corner. The corner came in and Hood got a free header with the ball going wide with Mcleod confident that it was off target.  

There was still time for 2 red cards as the game drew to a close. Watson was unlucky to pick up a second booking for a foul and after he retaliated Sheed was shown a straight red for his part in the proceedings. 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 1 Blairgowrie 0

Although this was a well deserved victory for Roselea, Blairgowrie made them work hard for it in yet another tight game. The relief at getting a long overdue win was evident at the final whistle despite the result never being in doubt. The changes to line up worked and there were some great displays including Man of the Match Craig Anderson’s second half display. Wins for Kirrie Thistle at North End, Arbroath Vics draw with East Craigie and Forfar West End winning at Lochee Harp meant things as still very tight at the top. Match Sponsors were Ian Edwards, Daniel Begg and MGFA. 

This week Roselea revert to Emirates Scottish Junior Cup action with the visit of Maryhill to Broomfield Park. The Glasgow side sit top of the Central Division Two and play in the same League as Royal Albert who Roselea defeated in the 2^nd Round. The match Kicks Off at 1.45pm