LOCHEE HARP v MONTROSE ROSELEA

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SATURDAY SEPT 15^th 2012 

Roselea travelled to Beechwood Park, Lochee in search of three points to maintain their good start to the League. Ryan Taylor was a definite non starter with his knee injury being confirmed as a cartilage problem and will likely see him miss out for a couple of months. Graeme Allan was on Honeymoon and co Manager Doug Craig was also unavailable. Craig Anderson served the last of his three match suspension. This forced the Management team to hunt for some back up and they found an ideal loan signing by bringing in two ex players, Cove Rangers defender Eric Watson for two games and also Gavin Reid who played as a Trialist. It was a bright but breezy afternoon in Lochee but neither that nor the slightly long grass would have any affect on the game. 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, Reid, Whyte, E Watson, Urquhart, Rae, Reoch, Cruickshank, Collier and C Watson. Subs: Fletcher, Riach, Milne, Ross & Kennedy.

Roselea had a couple of chances within the first few minutes first of all a Paul Taylor throw was flicked on to Watson by Collier and his shot was blocked for a corner. On 6 minutes Roselea had a big appeal for a penalty. Calum Watson got in behind the Harp rearguard and rounded the keeper out wide, his cutback was met by the incoming Rae who appeared to be fouled as he shot but the penalty was not given. Roselea did have the ball in the net on 7 minutes however when Reoch tapped home Colliers chip over the keeper he was in an offside position. 

There was little goalmouth action from then until the 23^rd minute and Harp went very close to opening the scoring. A great pass put Mullen behind the Roselea defence and a last gasp tackle by Watson saw the ball spin and hit off the outside of the Lea post with Mcleod beaten.  

Calum Watson had the next go in 29 minutes when he cut in and shot from 22 yards with his left foot and it was just wide of the upright. Collier is the next to have a chance for the away side when he found space in the box and struck a shot across the Harp goalmouth with Watson almost getting a touch at the far post but the ball agonisingly went out for a bye kick.

In 34 minutes Valentine of Harp struck a decent shot from 20 yards which Mcleod failed to hold at the first attempt but smothered as Mullen followed up with weak Harp appeals for a penalty

Roselea somehow couldn’t score when Cruickshank broke on the left and rolled the ball towards the penalty spot and the incoming Reoch, the ball broke under the challenge to Calum Watson at the edge of the box and his shot was well saved by the legs of Bell in the Harp goal.

With 5 minutes to half time the score remained level. Roselea had one final chance as the break beckoned when Whyte latched on to a free kick at the far post but the ball rose as he shot with the end result the ball nestling on top of the net. 

Half Time: Lochee Harp 0 Montrose Roselea 0

In 49 minutes there was a moment of danger for Roselea as Reid’s attempted headed passback fell short and Watson stepped in to clear high over his own bar. 

Roselea finally took the lead in 51 minutes and it was Eric WATSON who bundled the ball into the net. A great inswinging free kick from Cruickshank was headed against the Harp keeper and Watson was perfectly placed to backheel the ball over the line. 

Harp’s cause was not helped with the sending off of central defender McHugh in 56 minutes. Comments made to the referee after receiving a yellow card for man handling Calum Watson saw him receive a second yellow. 

Roselea had a couple of chances within a minute of the sending off. First Urquhart almost got his head to another dangerous Cruickshank inswinger and then Collier flicked on a Reid cross and it went just over with Bell scrambling across his line. Bell had to pull off a great save from a Calum Watson diving header which came from a Taylor cross as he turned it behind for a corner in 60 minutes.From the corner taken by Cruickshank,  Eric Watson should have done better with his header but was off target. In 70 minutes Reoch did well and got a rub of the green in the box and although his shot was firm and on target, Bell saved well. Urquhart then had a great shot go just over as Roselea seeked the second goal that would make the points almost safe.

Harp were threatening at times on the break and were making Roselea battle for the points. 

Roselea made their first change in 76 minutes with Cruickshank coming off and Stewart Fletcher taking his place. 

The breakthrough finally came for a relieved Roselea in 83 minutes. Rae won the ball on the half way line and drove forward pulling the Harp defence towards him then slipped the ball wide to Fletcher and his cutback finally fell to Calum WATSON who blasted home from 6 yards to make it 2-0. 

In 88 minutes Chris Milne replaced Rae for the visitors. 

Final Score: Lochee Harp 0 Montrose Roselea 2

 This was a hard fought win with the home side at times playing more football than the visitors however it was a patient Lea side who took their chances and secured the three points. Both Eric Watson and Gavin Reid did what was asked of them and put in assured performances. Watson did what he used to do so often in the past by scoring off a free kick and Reid was comfortable at left back using the ball well. The win keeps Roselea on top with a 100% record after 3 games with East Craigie and Forfar West End also on the same total.  

Roselea now take a break from League duty for a week and have a visit from Arniston Rangers in the East of Scotland Cup. The following week Coupar Angus are the next visitors to Broomfield Park in the League. Both matches kick off at 2.30pm       

MONTROSE ROSELEA v BRECHIN VICS

MCBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SAT SEPT 8^th 2012

Montrose Roselea and Brechin Vics faced up to each other in what was a top of the table clash following both sides opening days wins. Brechin Vics had trounced Coupar Angus 8-0 whilst Roselea beat Blairgowrie 4-1.  Both teams had players missing due to the wedding of Graeme Allan. Chris Milne & Craig Anderson of Roselea and Sean Whitworth & Ally Duff of Vics were all attending although Anderson was serving the second of a three match suspension. Roselea also had injury worries with Michael Cruickshank and Danny Ross both requiring fitness tests. On the plus side Ewan Graham made a surprise return for the home side.  

On a glorious day for wedding never mind football the Roselea Ground staff had Broomfield Park looking immaculate and conditions were perfect for a great game of football. The 1pm kick avoided a clash with the Scotland v Serbia match and a healthy crowd was present. 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Graham,  Urquhart, Rae, Cruickshank, Watson, Collier. Subs: Riach, Brand, Craig, Ross & Fletcher.

Roselea kicked off with the wind at their backs and quickly put Vics under pressure with a few corners however with a strong breeze, two of these did not stay in play from Rae & Cruickshank. 

Vics had their first foray into the Roselea half when Barker pulled the ball down and ran at the home defence however with Myles available wide he elected to shoot and scooped over. 

Roselea were on top but it wasn’t until they got in front after having a string of close shaves. Calum WATSON received a ball to his feet and cleverly turned and shot low through the legs of the defender to make it 1-0 to the home side.  

Roselea again piled on the pressure and created more chances and only some good defending and a great save by Robbie from Urquhart with the ball heading right into the top corner of the net. 

Roselea’s pressure finally paid off when COLLIER bravely dived headed an Urquhart cross into the net from close range in 38 minutes. 

Right on half time Roselea got a third from danger man Watson. Ryan Taylor went on a great run from the half way line passing Gauld before slipping the ball into WATSON who had his first shot blocked by Robbie before stabbing home with a quick reaction. 

There were three minutes added before the first half came to a close with Roselea totally dominating the half and in the driving seat. 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 3 Brechin Vics 0

Now facing the wind Roselea started off where they left at the interval with Laing having to get in a timely tackle to prevent Collier shooting in 47 minutes. 

In 49 minutes Watson had a chance to get his third and put the 3 points beyond doubt after Urquhart squared however it was not an easy chance and he put the ball past the post. 

In 55 minutes Paul Taylor won the ball on the half way line and in doing so found Watson at the other end however he was given offside with the referee being in a difficult position to judge. 

Calum WATSON got the hat-trick he was hunting in the 58th minute from the penalty spot. Cairney was unlucky to handle in the box but it was a clear penalty and Watson sent a low penalty past Robbie who made a valiant effort to stop the ball. 

Roselea made a double sub in 70 minutes with Calum Watson & Robert Urquhart being replaced by Stewart Fletcher & Scott Riach.

Roselea had a scare when a dangerous corner was almost missed by Mcleod who got a slight sciff to send it over for another corner at the opposite side. 

Roselea had an enforced change in 73 minutes when Ryan Taylor was injured as he fell to the ground and had to be stretchered off. Veteran co Manager Doug Craig replaced him. 

Roselea made it 5-0 in 80 minutes. Fletcher who had looked lively since he came on played a clever ball to Collier with the outside of his foot and Colliers crossed was turned in at close range by Scott RIACH.  

The veteran Craig almost got his name on the score sheet when Collier held the ball up for him before laying the ball in his path but he blasted over, As time was running down Urquhart had a volley just wide of the upright and Collier also had a shot hit the side netting as Roselea dominated with Mcleod a virtual spectator at the other end. 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 5 Brechin Vics 0

Referee- Steven Traynor

After a promising start Brechin Vics petered out of this as a contest with Roselea winning all the lose balls. Once the first goal went in it was one way traffic and for long periods Ross Mcleod was not involved in the Lea goal.  The win takes Roselea to the top of the table and the only negative was the injury to Ryan Taylor which might mean the defender is out of action for some time. 

On Saturday 15^th September Roselea travel to play Lochee Harp at Dundee, KO 2.30pm then entertain Arniston Rangers at home in the East of Scotland Cup on 22^nd before another home League match v Coupar Angus on the 29^th.     

BLAIRGOWRIE v MONTROSE ROSELEA

McBOOKIE.COM EAST REGION NORTH DIVISION
SAT SEPT 1^st 2012 

Montrose Roselea returned to Blairgowrie where they had won 3-2 the previous week on League Cup business, this time for a McBookie.com League match. The Co Managers had a couple of changes thrust on them with Craig Anderson serving a 3 match ban for his sending off the previous week. Danny Ross and Graeme Allan returned and Colin Kennedy was still missing through work. Several positional changes were made to try and freshen things up. 

The Davie Park surface which had taken a pounding the previous week when monsoon conditions had helped to cut it up was back in great condition following a roll and cut. 

Roselea: Mcelod, Milne, R Taylor, Allan, Reoch, Whyte, Urquhart, Rae, Collier, Watson & Fletcher. Subs: Cruickshank, Riach, P Taylor, Ross & Brand.

In an even opening ten minutes the only things of note was a break by Roselea which ended with Stewart Fletcher being caught offside in a good position and a Blair free kick hitting the wall. The home side did force a couple of early corners which tested visiting keeper Mcleod. 

Roselea have a chance in 11 minutes when Calum Watson held up a Taylor free kick and laid to Fletcher who sent a vicious low ball across the Blair goal-line but it was cleared by a defender. There was a double chance for Roselea a minute later. Watson swivelled in the box and his shot was parried by Obrien to Collier who missed the ball and Reoch then had an effort blocked behind for a corner. 

Blair then broke to the other end and caught the Roselea rearguard napping, Maloney had a chance but his over zealous attempt at a turn in the box saw the chance gone and Roselea recovered.

Roselea then have another chance in 15 minutes when Taylor & Collier worked a throw in into the patch of Fletcher but his shot was well off target from 15 yards out. 

Chances were coming at both ends and a slip by Milne allowed Maloney to get a shot away from a wide angle which fizzed across the Roselea goal then Rae broke at the other end and only a great tackle from McColl prevented a certain goal. 

In 20 minutes Milne gave away a free kick about 35 yards out and the free kick almost saw Findlay connect at the far post. Rae then had a snapshot saved at the other end as play swung from end to end. 

Ryan Taylor had to come to Roselea’s rescue when he got a touch to a cross that was heading to Findlay at the far post again in 28 minutes. Roselea had the best chance so far when Collier cut back to Rae who almost completely missed the ball as it bobbled and when it fell to Urquhart he should have done better than shooting high over from 15 yards out. 

Roselea were having the better of the opening half hour but as so always happens they fell behind to a great goal from Gary AXWORTHY. He beat the offside trap with Roselea claiming otherwise and slotted a great low finish beyond the advancing Mcloed. 

Roselea had yet another chance go begging in 37 minutes when Taylor crossed for Rae to dive head the ball at Obrien who parried it in the direction of Fletcher who scooped over from close range. 

Roselea eventually get the leveller their play deserved courtesy of a penalty on 40 minutes. Calum Watson was sharp and alert to latch on to a loose ball in the box and slid in with Obrien committed, when the loose ball broke the keeper brought the striker down and gave the referee no option but to award a penalty and a red card for the Blair number one. Harsh but the correct decision. FLETCHER coolly stroked the ball into the corner of the net giving the stand in keeper no chance. 

There was a flare up of tempers just before half time when Axworthy who had been fouled and awarded a free kick squared up aggressively to Milne. The referee allowed both player to walk away without punishment and Milne was  replaced by Paul Taylor. 

Half Time: Blairgowrie 1 Montrose Roselea 1

10 man Blairgowrie had the first chance of the second half when Hood had a free header from a corner however with his back to the ball his effort came off the back of his head and over the bar. 

In 50 minutes Collier of Roselea was booked for a dive in an attempt to win a penalty. 

Roselea created their first chance of the half in 58 minutes when Urquhart got to the line and his cross was headed downwards by Collier and the ball hit the keepers legs and behind. 

As so often happens it was the ten men who were enjoying the larger share of the ball and finding masses of space to play in. Roselea were toiling to make any impression on the Blair goal with many passes going astray and easy things being done the hard way. It was Blair who had the next chance in 75 minutes when a mistake by Whyte saw Maloney break from the half way line and his shot was just over the advancing Mcleod but also just over the bar. 

This was perhaps the wake up call Roselea were needing and the scored courtesy of Skipper Paul WHYTE in 77 minutes to amend his previous slip.Roselea were awarded a free kick just inside the Blair half and Ryan Taylor sent in a ball which Whyte headed from the edge of the box however the power and direction took the ball into the corner for the net. 

Cruickshank replaced the concussed Urquhart in 80 minutes. 

Some good play followed from Roselea who had their tails up and another good moving involving Rae and Collier saw the latter shoot just wide. Roselea extended their lead in 83 minutes when a Collier header from a corner was parried into the direction of WHYTE who scored from close range at the far post. 

Blairgowrie had another chance again courtesy of some slack marking when Pirie found himself in space but pulled his shot wide from a narrow angle. 

Riach replaced Fletcher in 87 minutes. 

Roselea wrapped up the match in fine style when Watson broke on the right and unselfishly squared to sub Michael CRUICKSHANK who finished low and hard from 10 yards out. 

Final Score: Blairgowrie 1 Montrose Roselea 4

 This was a great start to the League campaign for Roselea however the scoreline may have flattered the performance slightly. After being on top for the first half hour the sending off changed things and they lost their way for a 20 minute spell. Only when the third goal came did the points look totally safe. Performance of the day was from debutant Graeme Allan who looked assured and composed at all times. 

Roselea now face local rivals Brechin Vics at home on Saturday the 8^th September in what will be a top of the table clash. Vics started their campaign with a 8 goal thrashing of Coupar Angus so a tough game is expected. The KO is at 2.30pm. Roselea also have an interesting East of Scotland 1^st Round tie with Arniston Rangers visiting Broomfield Park on Sept 22^nd. Sandwiched inbetween is a League visit to Dundee to meet Lochee Harp on Sept 15^th.

The 15th Roselea Ryder Cup will take place on Sunday Sept 30th at Kirriemuir Golf Club on the final day of the other Ryder Cup that is taking elsewhere. First Tee Off will be at 10.30am and battle will take place from there between the Golf Inn and Club. Sore bit £10 deposits all round. Another day of great golf is expected!

All current and ex players, Committee and supporters welcome to attend. Please contact Derek Muir on 07504053709

Further details to follow....