EAST REGION NORTH LEAGUE

SAT MARCH 19^th 2011 

Roselea travelled to Dundee to face East Craigie in their 15^th League match buoyed by their narrow win over local rivals Arbroath Vics. Although Roselea had beaten East Craigie 5-0 in the corresponding fixture the Dundee side had improved and a notable 4-1 victory over League leaders Downfield in February was one to take notice of.  Roselea’s injury problems are receding and Paul Whyte made a welcome return to the squad although Lee Hood passed a late fitness test after suffering from a hamstring problem whilst David Craig missed out for the same problem. Matt Miller was unavailable. This only left Ewan Graham and Colin Page out as the absentees.  

Roselea:Mcleod, Colquhoun, Doug Craig, Mustard, Reoch, Reid, Rae, Fotheringham, Urquhart & Collier. Subs: Aitken, Riach, Whyte, Brand, Watson, Strachan & Craig.

Roselea kicked off on a soft but rather bumpy Craigie Park which was being cooled by a very chilly cross wind. Roselea had the first shot on goal with Hoods 25 yard effort barely troubling the keeper. 

In 5 minutes Rae lost the ball in the middle of the park but again the shot from the Craigie player hardly tested Mcleod. East Craigie were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position when Colquhoun dived in but the ball was driven high over the bar. 

Roselea were getting more involved in the game and forced a couple of corners then Rae played a ball into Collier who tried to chest it into the path of Fotheringham and just failed. 

The pitch was taking some very bad bobbles and led to a mistake by Doug Craig for the opening goal in 12 minutes. He was caught in possession and when Welsh’s cross was not properly cleared by Colquhoun, CHALMERS pounced at the far post to give the homesters the lead. 

Two minutes later Collier had a chance to equalise and his shot went just over the bar. Hood then cut along the by-line and his chipped cross was cut out for a corner with Collier looking for a driven ball. Roselea forced the equaliser from the corner in 16 minutes. Malone the home keeper came for the ball and dropped it at the feet of Lee HOOD who made no mistake from 6 yards out. 

In 20 minutes Roselea almost made it two after Urquhart headed another dangerous Craig corner wide when he had the whole target to aim at. Roselea created the next chance on the half hour mark when Rae out Colquhoun down the line and his great cross was cut out by Malone.Roselea were dominating the game now and were forcing a number of corners without really threatening. A Reid cross was punched out but the ball did not break kindly for a Roselea player. Reid then had a great chance to put Roselea in front but his placed shot was saved by Malones legs. 

Right on half time Roselea took the lead in rather fortuitous circumstances. Colquhoun took a clever quick free kick to Lee HOOD and his cross from near the corner flag went in off the back post with Malone stranded. There was still time in stoppages for Doug Craig to send a dangerous corner kick off the Craigie cross bar and over. 

HALF TIME: East Craigie 1 Montrose Roselea 2 

The second half started quietly with both teams bogged down in midfield. Mcleod had to come and take a dangerous cross in 50 minutes. Colqhoun picked up a booking for hand ball. 

The first chance of the half fell to Gavin Reid in 65 minutes when Rae played him in but he could not get enough of the ball when at full stretch. 

Roselea made their first change in 70 minutes with Aitken replacing Urquhart. 

East Craigie had a spell of pressure and Mcleod had to react quickly to a break in the box and a minute later there was another scramble in the Lea box following a corner. 

In 73 minutes as play flowed from end East Craigie had a chance at one end then Colquhoun had a shot blocked by a Craigie defender. A Rae corner was somehow cleared off the line as Craigie held on for a lifeline in the game.

Fotheringham was in the book after getting involved in some “afters” following a very late off the ball challenge on his team-mate Rae. 

Roselea finally got the break they needed to secure the three points in the 75 minute. Collier broke free and went down easily after rounding Malone and referee Bowman pointed to the spot. COLLIER made it two penalties in two weeks after safely converting from 12 yards. Forsyth added to East Craigies woes when he picked up a second yellow for voicing his opinions on Colliers run up too strongly and left the field for an early bath. 

The scorer was subbed 5 minutes later with Craig Watson replacing him. In 85 minutes Strachan replaced Craig. Watson had a chance near the end when he cut in from the byeline and struck the ball against keeper Malone with Aitken perhaps better placed had he cut it back. 

Full Time: East Craigie 1 Montrose Roselea 3 

Although not a flamboyant performance it was a controlled win and a valuable three points with Downfield losing at home to Kirrie Thistle in the League. That now leaves Roselea 1 point behind leaders Downfield with a game in hand and North End a point behind with the same 15 games played. A host of clubs sit just behind making the coming weeks very important. Roselea now travel to play the much postponed game at Coupar Angus on Sat March 26^th, KO 2.30pm. 

MONTROSE ROSELEA v ARBROATH VICS

EAST REGION NORTH DIVISION

SAT MARCH 12^th 2011 

Roselea faced near neighbours Arbroath Vics in what was almost a must win game. Trailing their opponents by a point with a game in hand and League leaders Downfield by 7 points with 2 games in hand the match did have an important edge to it. Following back to back defeats in the League against Forfar Albion and Downfield, Roselea were looking for a lift. James Collier recovered from injury and made a start in the side whilst David Craig was missing due to injury alongside Paul Whyte and longer term absentees Ewan Graham and Colin Page. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Miller, Mustard, Reoch, Doug Craig, Reid, Rae, Fotheringham, Hood, Collier and Urquhart. Subs: Aitken, McKellar, Riach, Strachan, Watson. 

It was a terrible day with a driving wind and rain coming in from the St Cyrus end of the ground and sweeping right down the pitch. Roselea won the toss and elected to shoot into the wind.  

It was the home side who made the early running and they forced a couple of corners. The ball broke to Miller from the second one and he turned a hooked the ball goalwards but an Arbroath defender cleared off the line. Collier then backheeled another corner and Reid did well to gather. 

Arbroath Vics had the next couple of attacks with Warren looking dangerous. He found Anderson entering the box and his shot was deflected behind for a corner. The corner came in and Mustard did well to clear under pressure. Arbroath Vics took the lead in 15 minutes in the most unfortunate circumstances for Doug CRAIG. A Warren cross came in and with little danger behind him the veteran defender stretched and backheeled into the net. 

Arbroath Vics were on top and as expected used the wind at their backs to their advantage. Owbridge was played in and only a great block from Mcleod prevented Vics increasing their lead.  In 21 minutes Mcleod was called into action again this time tipping a dangerous Norrie cross over the bar for a corner. 3 minutes later the Roselea goal survived another scare when Warren cut in from the right and shot but found the side netting. 

In 26 minutes Rae was the first booking of the game for a foul on Anderson. 

Miller lost possession for the home team in 34 minutes and led to a terrific volley from Anderson being saved by Mcleod at full stretch. Norrie then had another shot saved as he burst into the box with Mcleod again frustrating the Arbroath side. 

In one of Roseleas few attacks of the half Urquhart went down in the box following a heavy challenge and despite loud appeals no decision was given by referee Ritchie. Just before half time Warren had a glorious chance for Arbroath Vics when he found himself one on one with Mcleod and despite getting his angle correct to create the opening he managed to shoot wide of the post. 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 0 Arbroath Vics 1

With the wind at their backs Roselea were looking to press Vics and quickly won two free kicks which were wasted. Collier and Craigs attempts both went high and wide at opposite sides of the goal. Arbroath Vics were definitely on the back foot and yet another free kick was awarded for a pull back on Fotheringham in 51 minutes. This time a well worked free kick saw Craig pass the ball across the face of the goal and somehow the ball managed to miss all the incoming players before going behind. 

Roseleas persistence finally paid off in the 55^th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Urquhart was felled in the box. COLLIER stepped up and made no mistake from the spot. 

Roselea got in front on 60 minutes with another COLLIER goal. Rae put in a great corner which Hood rose and headed onto the bar and Collier was on hand to head home the rebound from close range. 

Durno picked up a booking for Vics in 63 minutes. 

Roselea made a change in 80 minutes when Aitken replaced Hood. The subs first involvement was to pick up a booking after he over ran the ball when he was almost through on goal. 

Jones of Vics got the early shower most of the players would have liked when he received two yellow cards in 85 minutes. 

There was time left for a scare in stoppage time when Miller gave the ball away on the half way line with Roselea on the attack allowing Warren to break however Mcleod was out quickly and the danger was cleared. 

Final: Montrose Roselea 2 Arbroath Vics 1

DOWNFIELD v MONTROSE ROSELEA

EAST REGION NORTH DIVISION

SAT MARCH 5th 2011 

Roselea headed to Downfield Park for their next North Region League match desperate to get back on the rails following their disappointing 4-0 defeat at Forfar Albion. Downfield were the new leaders and were 4 points ahead of Roselea although the visitors had 2 games in hand, so it made the importance of the match so much greater. Roselea’s absentee woes eased slightly with Calum Rae returning from holiday and David Craig also available after injury. James Collier is still one week away from fitness and joined long term absentees Paul Whyte and Colin Kennedy on the sidelines. Roselea shuffled their side slightly with David Craig, Calum Rae and Gavin Reid coming in from the previous weeks lineup. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Miller, Reid, Colquhoun, Reoch Doug Craig, Rae, David Craig, Watson, Aitken & Mustard. Subs: Fotheringham, Riach, Hood, Urquhart, Strachan & Brand.

Roselea were shooting up the Downfield brae in the first half on a pitch which had been rolled twice after taking hammering the previous week against Blairgowrie.

The visitors were first on the attack and Aitken swivelled past his marker winning a corner with claims that he had been held back. Rae swung in a dangerous corner that flashed across the goalmouth and was touched behind for another corner. 

Roselea had another chance in 12 minutes when Craig sent in a near post free kick which Watson flicked just behind. 

In 15 minutes Downfield took the lead with a brilliant goal. Colquhoun got too tight to SCOTT and the striker unleashed a stunning 25 yard strike over the stranded Mcleod and into the top corner of the net.  

Roselea were almost on level terms after a great turn and volley by Aitken in the box. Thain somehow managed to get a strong hand to it and turned the ball over the bar for a corner. 

Roselea were forced into a change on 32 minutes with Fotheringham replacing the injured Miller. 

In 35 minutes Downfield took a 2-0 lead and again it was a long ball that caused the problem. SCOTT chased down the ball and the advancing Mcleod missed his clearance giving him the easy chance to slot home despite the efforts of Colquhoun. In 40 minutes Downfield went close again, this time a curling McDonald free kick went just wide of the post. 

Half Time: Downfield 2 Roselea 0

The second half started with the homesters Scott picking up where he left on and latched onto a McDonald cross field pass before shooting narrowly wide. 

The third goal of the match was going to be crucial and despite some good Roselea pressure it was the Spiders who stretched their lead in 62 minutes. A low free kick from McDonald could not be held and the ball was bundled home from close range by TRENT. 

Hood replaced Aitken in 64 minutes as Roselea looked for a life-line to get back in the game. 

Gavin Reid had a good effort from 25 yards just go wide of the target in 66 minutes. Roselea made their final change in 68 minutes with Riach going on for Watson. 

It was not Roselea’s day again and they had further misery when Hood struck a great first time shot from a Rae cross only to see it hit the stanchion before bouncing on the line and out. 

Roselea’s persistence finally paid off when RIACH headed home a Rae corner from close range in 78 minutes. Two minutes later with Roselea searching for a second Hood almost played Riach in but a great tackle diverted the ball behind for a corner.

Raes corner was headed home at the near post but the referee had awarded a foul on the keeper. Roselea kept battling away in the final ten minutes but could not find any more chinks in the Downfield defence and the match ended with more disappointment for the Lea. 

Full Time: Downfield 3 Montrose Roselea 1

FORFAR ALBION v MONTROSE ROSELEA

EAST REGION NORTH DIVISION

SAT FEB 25^th 2011

Roselea looked to bounce back with a win after a disappointing defeat in the GA Cup at Banks o Dee. Again there were several missing player with Ewan Graham, Colin Kennedy, David Craig, James Collier & Calum Rae all unavailable or injured. On the plus side Craig Watson, Jordan Reoch and Matt Miller returned with a Trialist also appearing in defence. Paul Whyte also took up one of the places on the bench but was not 100% fit. 

Albion’s Guthrie Park had been under snow and ice for much of the winter and even as long as a week ago they had to break up ice to allow their game to go ahead. On a perfect spring day the pitch was in decent condition after being rolled and spiked. Albion had a rare 2-1 win over Coupar Angus the previous week and were looking to continue that form. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Mustard, Trialist, Miller, Doug Craig, Hood, Urquhart, Reoch, Strachan, Aitken & Watson. Subs: Riach, Fotheringham, Reid, McKellar, Whyte & Brand.

Guthrie Park has been a notoriously difficult place for Roselea over the years and they got off to the worst possible start by conceding a goal in the first minute. Ali broke on the right outstripping Craig and his cutback should have been finished by Howie but Mcleod made a great block only for Taylor to follow up and volley home. 

Roselea were struggling find their feet with many passes misplaced, bad control and lack of composure and was not until the 17^th minute they had their first chance. The ball broke back to Urquhart and his volley was pushed onto the bar and over by Gordon in the home goal. 

Roselea were getting more into things and Reoch had a great effort in 25 minutes and again the ball was deflected for a corner.  

In 27 minutes Aitken was crudely brought down 25 yards out and Lee Hoods free kick troubled Gordon who pushed the ball out but no green shirts were there to follow up. More pressure saw Strachan pass to Mustard and his shot was again blocked by a home defence which did not want to give anything away. A minute later Hood had a header tipped over the bar and from the corner Craig went close with a lob that went just past the upright. Roselea were getting on top but trouble was just around the corner. 

They had a disastrous three minute spell at the end of the half. With the home side appealing for a foul the referee allowed play to go on and Mcleod’s clearance came off Howie and fell perfectly to Walker who chested the ball down before hammering home. Right on half time further pain was inflicted on Roselea. This time Miller came surging out looking for offside but a perfectly timed run by McIntosh saw him draw Mcleod before slotting the ball home. 

Half Time: Forfar Albion 3 Montrose Roselea 0

Roselea were looking to get back into the game early in the second half and Riach replaced Watson to try and freshen things up.

 Albion almost made it 4 when a slip by Miller allowed Walker in but his attempted chip was poorly hit and found the side netting. 

Roselea were giving a better showing and it wasn’t long before they had a chance and that came in 53 minutes when Urquhart headed over a Craig free kick with Gordon all at sea. 

Fotheringham replaced Hood. 

Mcleod was keeping Roselea in things and made three great saves to thwart a rampant Albion.

In 70 minutes further disaster struck Roselea when they conceded a penalty. Miller was overly keen to pinch the ball from the feet of Howie from a throw in and hauled the striker down. Mcleod yet again dived to make a tremendous save and beat the ball away with a strong hand. 

Reid replaced Strachan. 

In 82 minutes there was nothing even Mcleod could do as Ali broke from deep and finished after rounding the keeper.   Roselea continued to create chances and Fotheringham couldn’t do much with ball that came to him quickly and volleyed over. Mcleod made two more great saves as the scoreline threatened to further embarrass the visitors. 

Full Time: Forfar Albion 4 Montrose Roselea 0

 Firstly Roselea will need to acknowledge that they were outgunned by a spirited Albion side who look like they are maturing into a decent side however there were many flaws in their ranks. Some players looked like they were lacking confidence, some were perhaps lacking match sharpness however the main difference in the sides was the desire which was sadly lacking as far as Roselea were concerned. The Roselea Management team will need to ask some questions as to which players they will want to use in the coming matches to try and get their Title challenge back on track. 

Roselea are now faced with a massive game away to current League leaders Downfield on Sat 5^th March. 4 points separate the sides and Roselea go into the game with two games in hand.

McBookie.com North Division