MONTROSE ROSELEA v EAST CRAIGIE

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SAT APRIL 7^th 2012

Roselea faced the first of two final games with the only target a win to keep the Title race going however it was inevitable that Violet would still win the one promotion slot. A draw would mean that Violet would be 3 points ahead and with 2 games in hand and a far superior goal difference they would be certainties for the crown.  

On a perfect day for football Roselea had injury victims Calum Rae & Ross Colquhoun missing. Ross Mcleod was unavailable and was deputised by the reliable Ronnie Massie. Scott Riach had joined Merpro joining Jack Rodger and Lee Hood were also on loan to Brechin Vics and Johnshaven. 

Roselea: Massie, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Urquhart, Anderson, Mustard, Webster, Collier, Fletcher. Subs Aitken, Strachan, Kennedy, Brand & Craig.

Roselea made a great start and almost scored within a minute. Fletcher was cruelly chopped down in the corner and Websters great low ball in was just missed by Collier and the slightest touch would have sent it into the net before the ball was turned behind for a corner. In 5 minutes Collier picked the ball up midway inside the Craigie half and went on a run beating two players and was brutally brought down as he played a one-two with Fletcher. Anderson escaped a booking and Websters free kick went just over the bar. 

In 7 minutes Ryan Taylor is caught late by McDonald just in front of the home dugout and this again goes unpunished much to the dismay of the home support. Unfortunately this set the tone for the game. 

Paul Whyte got himself mixed up in 9 minutes and almost let in Connor Adam however he managed to get a touch on the ball back to Massie who cleared the danger. Craigie were a much improved side from previous seasons with some good players on show and it was not surprise when they created a chance for themselves in 13 minutes. A long diagonal ball from Allan found Mcdonald on the right hand side and his lay off was struck well by Gray but Massie held the central shot with ease. 

Kevin Webster had a great turn inside in 19 minutes from a Taylor throw and sent in another dipping cross which Collier almost connected with at the near post forcing a corner. Ryan Taylor collected the short corner and had a great shot from the corner of the 18 yard box which Logie had to tip over. 

Mustard picked up a harsh booking in 23 minutes for a trip on the edge of his own area considering what had gone unpunished earlier. The free kick was well saved by Massie again. 

Roselea were out of luck again in 27 minutes when Collier headed against the post from a far post cross from Webster and the rebound came off Urquhart and fell to Logie in the Craigie goal. Two minutes later Roselea had yet another chance when Taylor threw to Collier who swivelled and sent Webster on his way to the byeline, he tried to cut back to Fletcher who was in space at the far post but Scrimergour intercepted for a corner. 

Roselea despite their pressure and chances headed in one down at half time. Ronnie Massie was booked for dissent after being incensed that play was allowed to continue after a Craigie player had headed the ball on the byeline clearly in an offside before Whyte cleared a certain goal for a corner. The corner broke to MCFARLANE at the edge of the box and his shot took a cruel deflection to beat Massie in the home goal. 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 0 East Craigie 0

Roselea had the first chance of the second half in 53 minutes and it was the woodwork that again prevented the home team equalising. This time Urquhart struck a shot from 14 yards against the bar. 

In 62 minutes Small misjudged a header allowing Urquhart to get the ball across to Collier and he just couldn’t make room to get a clean shot in and his deflected effort was mopped up by Logie. 

Roselea were awarded a penalty in 66 minutes as Mustard was felled by two Craigie players as he went for a header. As the kick was about to be taken Chalmers was spoken to by the referee for contesting the decision but not shown a yellow card. Webster stepped up and had his strike saved by Logie.  

In 70 minutes Kennedy replaced Ryan Taylor as Roselea went more attacking as they searched for an equaliser. This came a minute later when a long throw by Anderson was flicked on by Collier and when Fletchers left foot shot appeared to have been held by Logie, WEBSTER pounced on the loose ball from close range to equalise. 

A minute later Roselea had a great chance to go ahead when Fletcher broke well and played the ball across to Collier who had his near post turned behind by Logie. 

In 82 minutes Charlie Adams of Liverpool's brother Connor was shown a red card as he retaliated to a shirt pull by Reoch. Things were getting out of hand as the referee struggled to get a hold of the game. 

10 man Craigie took the lead in 87 minutes courtesy of a penalty. Whyte obstructed Chalmers when it looked like Reoch had intercepted the danger and awarded a free kick which then struck the hand of Mustard. Substitute NORRIE made Roselea sorry when he converted the spot kick. 

Just when it looked like Roselea would finish on a downer they got a deserved equaliser 3 minutes into stoppage time. FLETCHER netted his 17^th goal of the season from close range to give the home side a share of the spoils. 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 2 East Craigie 2

BLAIRGOWRIE JFC v MONTROSE ROSELEA

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISON

SAT MARCH 31^st 2012 

Roselea were back in League action with a McBookie.com North Division match at Davie Park, Blairgowrie and notoriously difficult place to go to. Following last weeks defeat at Lochee Harp Roselea badly needed a win to keep leaders Violet from clinching the title as they had a trip to bottom placed Coupar Angus with three points almost certain. Roselea trailed Violet by 4 points and also played a game extra. James Collier made a return to the starting line up and Colin Kennedy, Ross Colquhoun and Calum Rae were all unavailable. 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Urquhart, Mustard, Anderson, Webster, Collier & Fletcher. Subs: Aitken, Strachan, Craig & Brand.

On a very sunny day the pitch like most pitches was very dry and bumpy and was going to impact on the game.  Roselea made a promising start when Collier linked well with Webster who swung in a dangerous cross, the ball was cleared wide left to Ryan Taylor who couldn’t direct his shot on target. 

Four minutes later Collier sprung Blairs offside trap and bore down on goal coming in from the right hand side but his shot was just off target. 

The hard pitch contributed to McDonald of Blairgowrie being subbed in 10 minutes with Sidowra replacing him then Hart also received treatment after falling awkwardly on the hard surface. 

On 14 minutes Anderson flicked a header on to Webster who in turn flicked the ball over a defender into the path of Fletcher who had made a good run however his early shot was straight at Obrien. 

A minute later Axworthy took advantage of a slip by Paul Taylor however the ball bobbled as he was about to shoot and although the spinning ball fell to Hart he could not get a shot in before Reoch tackled well. 

Roselea had a couple of chances on 22 minutes. Urquhart got to the byeline and his far post ball was hit early with claims for a penalty the ball broke to Fletcher but he snatched at his shot and pulled it well wide of the goal. 

Roselea got caught on the break in 33 minutes as Axworthy used his pace to bore down on goal but Mcleod was quick off the mark and dived bravely at his feet to gather. 

Five minutes before the interval Mcleod had to save a Pirie header when he connected well with a free kick and Roseleas custodian pushed the ball away at the base of the post. 

Half Time: Blairgowrie 0 Montrose Roselea 0

3 minutes after the break a Paul Taylor corner was headed downwards by Whyte at the far post and the ball struck Obriens leg before going behind for a corner. 

Roselea took the lead in the 50th minute with an excellent goal which involved 4 players. Anderson was calm and played a ball back to Paul Taylor who sent Urquhart down the line and Stewart FLETCHER volleyed home from 12 yards with a well controlled finish. 

This was the break Roselea were looking for however they nearly let it slip just a minute later when Hood was allowed to get a shot in after the ball fell to him from a clearance and he shot wide. Blairgowrie did draw level in 53 minutes when HART found himself in plenty of room and his powerful shot from a tight angle seemed to go through the hands of the normally reliable Mcleod and into the net. 

Paul Whyte picked up a booking in 63 minutes having been spoken to referee for dissent just minutes earlier. 

Roselea had a massive let off when Axworthy of the home side hit tremendous volley which thundered off the underside of the bar before bouncing on the line and out in 66 minutes. 

Roselea took the lead again after some great footwork from Kevin WEBSTER. He picked the ball up from a corner clearance and beat two men before switching the ball onto his left and shooting home from 15 yards. 

In 75 minutes Collier should have made it three when he dive headed a Webster cross and the ball went over the top when he should have been hitting target. 

Roselea replaced Fletcher and Paul Taylor with Strachan and Aitken. In 83 minutes Aitken fizzed the ball across the face of the Blairgowrie goalmouth but nobody was in place to take advantage. 

Strachan almost got in on the scoring act when he beat two men before shooting just wide with a right footed shot from 18 yards. Blairgowrie had one last chance to snatch a draw in the final minute. Obrien knocked a free kick in from the half way line and Pirie headed the ball on only for Mcleod to clutch the ball which was top corner bound, 

Final Score: Blairgowrie JFC 1 Montrose Roselea 2

LOCHEE HARP v MONTROSE ROSELEA
McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION
SAT MARCH 24^th 2012

Roselea headed to Beechwood Park, Lochee to face Harp in their fourth last league game of the campaign. A win was a must to keep the pressure on leaders Violet who themselves had a tough game at home to North End, the only team to beat them so far. Roselea were minus the unavailable James Collier, Colin Kennedy & Ross Colquhoun and injury victim Callum Rae. Jack Rodger and Lee Hood continue their loan spells at other clubs.  

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Webster, Mustard, Anderson, Urquhart, Fletcher & Aitken. Subs: Riach, Strachan, Brand & Craig. 

On a decent but overcast day in Dundee Roselea kicked off of the match on a surface that was slightly fiery. Roselea started the match in a lively fashion and had the first chance in 5 minutes when a right footed Paul Whyte strike hit the base of the post after he connected with an Aitken lay off. 

Harp struck back a minute later however Milnes snapshot was way off target then in 13 minutes Ramsay of the home side had a snap shot side volley which Mcleod had to make sure he held. 

Roselea had a good spell and a great Aitken head flick finds Urquhart and his driven ball finds no takers and when Webster returns it to the centre Mustard connects well however is goalbound effort is deflected behind by Fotheringham for a corner. 

Harp have the best chance so far when Williamson twists in the box and only a last ditch slide from Mcleod makes him blast his shot into the side netting. Harp were causing Roselea problems with their running off the ball and in 24 minutes they went behind thanks to this flaw. STARK made a run into the box finding himself in space and shot home from 15 yards. In 28 minutes the same problem cropped up as Williamson found himself in on Mcleod but screwed his shot well wide from the angle when he should have made Mcleod work. 

Roselea had a chance to pull even on the half hour mark when Aitken held the ball up and played it to Fletcher who had a great angled shot beaten out by Brown in the Harp goal. Roselea then have another chance on 34 minutes when Webster takes up a good position on the right hand side however yet again his shot is deflected for a corner. In 40 minutes an in swinging Webster corner is headed just behind at the far post by Mustard who was under pressure from a Harp defender. 

Half Time: Lochee Harp 1 Roselea 0

Roselea make a change at the start of the second half with Riach replacing the injured Fletcher. In a mirror image of the end of the first half Mustard is inches away from connecting with a Webster corner in 50 minutes. 

Harp had a chance to increase their lead in 53 minutes. Whyte had brought down Williamson just outside the box and when the free kick came over Fotheringham headed across goal and Taylor just failed to connect at the far post. 

Urquhart was unlucky to pick up a booking when he challenged fairly for the ball but was adjudged to have been reckless when he injured Kelly. 

Strachan replaced Webster in 60 minutes and was soon involved in the action. He swung in a cross from the left and although Riach missed the header he caused all sorts of problems for the home keeper who was happy to see it turned behind for a corner. 

In 66 minutes Roselea had a good chance when another Strachan cross was headed clear by Fotheringham to Aitken who chested the ball down and when his shot was deflected into the path of Whyte he couldn’t direct his shot on target. Two minutes later Whyte got his head to a Ryan Taylor free kick but was agonisingly just off target. 

Roselea had a great 20 minute spell in the second half but just couldn’t get the little break they deserved and were dealt a sucker punch in 80 minutes when Harp sub MULLEN broke on the right and finished well. 

Brand replaced Jo Aitken with 5 minutes remaining. The substitute paid off and BRAND did well to swivel in the box, losing his marker and shot home from a narrow angle. 

The last few minutes had Roselea frantically trying to salvage something from the game but Harp held firm. To frustrate Roselea further both Miller and Stark were both lucky to escape being dismissed for kicking out at Roselea players not that would have made much difference to the day. 

Full Time: Lochee Harp 2 Montrose Roselea 1

The result was disappointing and effectively kills Roselea’s challenge for the title with 3 games remaining. They have done well to hold on the shirt tails of Violet who had themselves earned a 1-1 draw with North End however they did not have enough in the tank to overcome a very stuffy Harp side.  

Roselea will continue with another trip on the road to Davie Park, Blairgowrie on Sat March 31^st. The match kicks off at 2.30pm   

MONTROSE ROSELEA v FORFAR ALBION

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SAT MARCH 10^th 2012 

Roselea had a home league game versus strugglers Forfar Albion who sat second from the bottom. Despite their lowly position they did pose a threat as they had hit some form by winning and drawing their last two games. Roselea continued with the same line up that started in the emphatic win over Kirrie Thistle last Saturday. The team were aiming to keep level with Dundee Violet who had a trip to Lochee Harp. Ross Colquhoun returned to the bench after a spell out injured. 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Urquhart, Mustard, Anderson, Collier, Fletcher & Webster. Subs: Riach, Colquhoun, Kennedy, Aitken, Strachan, Brand & Craig.

Roselea were facing the customary Broomfield wind however they had the first chance when a long free kick from Reoch was deflected into the path of Collier and his header was saved by the onrushing Wilson. 

Albion retaliate in 3 minutes when Small broke away from Reoch but the defenders pace got him back in position to block for a corner. 

Roselea almost got caught out in 6 minutes when they failed to deal with a short corner and Fergusons shot was deflected behind. Good play between Webster and Ryan Taylor saw the latter send in a dangerous cross to Urquhart at the far post and his lay off was volleyed first time by Collier however Wilson was well placed to save. 

Taylor was next to try his luck for Roselea when he connected with a Collier cut back but his right footed shot was turned behind for a corner in 19 minutes. 

Roselea were on top a piling the pressure on and Urquhart then Webster both had efforts saved for corners in 23 minutes. 

Low of the away side was lucky to escape a booking when he was late on Collier. From the free kick Webster chipped the ball into the far post area and Mustard was not far away with his header. 

Roselea pressure finally paid off in 28 minutes when WHYTE connected well with a corner kick and strongly headed home. On the half hour Fletcher played Urquhart in down the right wing and his great ball flashed across the Albion goal face and McLeish had to turn it away for a corner. 

Low was again the accused, giving away a free kick and when the ball broke to Whyte in the box he had to improvise but got in a great volley which Wilson held in 36 minutes. 

On 40 minutes Roselea almost scored a controversial goal but it was chalked off with Collier being in an offside position. Webster swung over a cross which Albion claimed was out and Fletchers shot was turned in by Collier who was offside. There was another chance for Albion in 43 minutes but Reoch got in a block and when the ball was cleared to the other end Collier was brought down just outside the box. Fletcher tried an up and over the wall shot aiming for the top left corner but was off target. 

Half Time: Roselea 1 Forfar Albion 0

Mustard was first to try his luck for Roselea in the second half and although his left footed strike was decent it was easily held by Wilson. 

In 52 minutes Albion threatened but Reoch was handily placed to clear. 

Low finally found himself in the booked for a late challenge. 

In 59 minutes a poor clearance by Elder allowed Webster to pick the ball up and beat two men in the box however he ran into the trouble before he could get a shot away and when the ball fell to Fletcher he was not far away with a left foot curler. 

In 62 minutes Black of Albion swung his left foot at a cross and was not far away. 

Roselea were needing a second goal to make the points secure an nearly did so in 62 minutes. Collier and Fletcher combined well and Wilson saved with his feet again as Fletcher shot when the ball rebounded to Collier his chip was just over the far post. 

In 66 minutes Roselea replaced Fletcher and Mustard with Kennedy and Aitken in a double substitution.  

A minute later Urqhuart found Aitken on the left and the young strikers cross had to be cleared by McLeish with Collier waiting to pounce. Aitken was looking lively and managed to nip in to pick up the ball in the box before he played it back to Urquhart at the edge of the box and Wilson saved his shot turning it behind for a corner. 

Roselea finally managed to secure the points courtesy of a penalty in 84 minutes. Collier shot against the hands of Low who couldn’t really get out of the way and the referee pointed to the spot. Kevin WEBSTER made no mistake from the spot driving the ball into the corner. Roselea played out the last few minutes knowing the points were in the bag and did not have to chase the game. 

Final Score: Montrose Roselea 2 Forfar Albion 0

 Referee Scott McBurney 

The win keeps Roselea on the tail of co leaders Violet who had won 3-2 at Lochee Harp. It was a comfortable win but it was easy to see the improvement in the young Forfar side who competed well throughout the game. Match Sponsors Neil Smith and KVA Legends presented Craig Anderson with his man of the match award. Roselea now have a free week whilst leaders Violet host Arbroath Vics in a game where all at Roselea hope that they can falter in.        

KIRRIE THISTLE v MONTROSE ROSELEA

McBookie.com North Division

Sat March 3^rd 2012 

Roselea travelled to Westview Park, Kirriemuir to face Kirrie Thistle. Both sides were in a rich vein of form and a tight match was expected. Roselea were still without injury victims Calum Rae and Ross Colquhoun and Lee Hood and Jack Rodger are still out on loan. One change was made with Stewart Fletcher coming in to replace Jo Aitken. 

Roselea had drawn level with leaders Violet and a win would be a must to continue putting pressure on them considering they also have two games in hand. 

The heavy morning rain meant that the normally good surface at Kirrie would cut up and it was going to be heavy going. 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Reoch, Whyte, Anderson, Mustard, Webster, Urquhart, Fletcher & Collier. Subs: Aitken, Riach, Kennedy, Strachan, Craig & Brand. 

There were a couple of early chances in the first five minutes. A dangerous Kirrie cross fell nicely into the hands on Mcleod after it deflected off Whyte then at the other end a dangerous Webster cross was turned behind for a corner. Archibald of Kirrie then had a blast from 30 yards but was way off target. 

The pitch was cutting up badly and it was already hard for some players to keep their feet. 

In 7 minutes good refereeing saw a foul on Urquhart waved on and Collier slipped Fletcher in and he should have done better than blasting the ball wide from 12 yards. 

Roselea were caught on a break in 11 minutes when Scott played in a great ball to Sievwright but his curling effort went wide and Mcleod seemed to have it covered. 

Both sides had mirror chances in 15 minutes. First good play between Fletcher and Collier saw Anderson one on one with keeper Hutchison but the big stopper saved with his feet then at the other end Sievwright was granted the same opportunity but Mcleod saved with his feet. 

In 18 minutes Roselea took the lead with a goal their play merited. Stewart FLETCHER picked the ball up inside the Kirrie penalty box and shimmied his marker before striking a great left foot shot home from 14 yards. 

Kirries Robbie Black was lucky to escape a booking on two occasions within minutes of each other with a particularly heavy challenge on Urquhart escaping the referee’s attention. 

In 38 minutes Roselea increased their lead and it was FLETCHER who finished well from 8 yards after Hutchison had to parry a curling Webster shot out.   

Roselea increased their lead further in 41 minutes and it was a first half hat-trick from Stewart Fletcher again doing the damage. A long free kick was flighted at Collier in the Kirrie box and when he challenged Hutchison in the air the ball broke to FLETCHER and he finished through a ruck of players to make it 3-0. 

Kirrie had the last chance of the half in 43 minutes as they battled to get back in the game. Archibald tried his luck from 25 yards and with the ball moving in the air Mcleod had to tip the ball over and was glad to see it drop over. 

Half Time: Kirrie Thistle 0 Montrose Roselea 3

Archibald had the first attempt after the break when he swung his left foot at a knockdown from a corner but his attempt was wide and high. 

In 51 minutes Reoch had to block a shot in the box and as play raged to the other end Fletcher also had a defender getting in the way of his shot. 

On the slippy pitch sliding blocks were all the rage and Mustard did so when he blocked a Scott shot. 

In 65 minutes Collier almost added to Roselea’s lead when his first time left foot flick went just over. 

Roselea made a change in 74 minutes with Kennedy replacing Urquhart who had worked hard. 

Roselea were awarded a penalty in 78 minutes. Webster twisted and turned his man before sending a deep cross and just as Fletcher was about to head goalwards he was bundled to the ground. Before the penalty could be taken Taylor of the home side was shown a straight red card for dissent. WEBSTER remained calm and slotted the penalty kick home. 

Roselea made a double substitution with 5 minutes remaining and Riach and Strachan replaced Fletcher and Webster. In 86 minutes Kennedy picked out Riach’s run in the box and his headed flick went just wide. 

Just on time there was another straight red card for the frustrated Kirrie side when Gorman received a card for chopping down Riach from behind.  

Full Time: Kirrie Thistle 0 Montrose Roselea 4

Referee K Beats (Forfar)