MONTROSE ROSELEA v KIRRIE THISTLE

EAST REGION NORTH DIVISION

SAT FEBRUARY 12^th 2011 

With Westview Park Kirriemuir being deemed unplayable after the heavy overnight rain the match was switched to Broomfield Park which was looking excellent with a firm surface meeting the players come kick off. Kirrie Thistle had not played since November and were desperate to get a game with Roselea keen to get past their stop/start spell.

The home side were minus the suspended Jordan Reoch and for various reasons Paul Whyte, James Collier, Ewan Graham, Mark Fotheringham, Johnny Mitchell & Colin Page. The only plus was the Craig Watson made a welcome return. With both first choice central defenders missing, faith was put in the untried Miller/Mustard partnership. 

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

Roselea were first to be tested and after a scramble in the box Miller’s attention was focused on the referee by claiming for a shirt pull whilst the ball fell to Scott who shot narrowly wide. No award was given. 

In 8 minutes Roselea’s slow start continued when the visitors took the lead. Some very slack marking at a thrown in gave Kirrie two easy options. ATAGAN picked the ball up square 30 yards out he was able to advance and strike a great shot which beat Mcleod from 25 yards. 

Roselea finally found their way into the Kirrie last third in the 17^th minute and Craig played a great ball to Hood whose near post cross had to be held by keeper Patullo with Roselea looking to pounce. 

In 22 minutes a short corner from Kennedy was crossed first time by Craig and Watson’s excellent flick was cleared of the line at the far post by a Kirrie defender. 

Roselea spent most of the first half trying to match Kirrie’s formation and only when the pack was shuffled did they start to find their feet. 

It was not until the 42^nd minute that the game saw its next chance. Again Watson rose well to header a Kennedy corner just wide with his early jump just putting him off. This was followed by a string of Roselea corners but a firm Kirrie defence were not in the mood to surrender their lead.  

HALF TIME: Montrose Roselea 0 Kirrie Thistle 1 

With the Mangers half time “pep” talk still ringing in their ears it was Roselea who were the sharper looking team when the 2^nd spell started.

Kennedy played a short free kick to Craig and Urquhart headed just wide of the post in 50 minutes. 

A couple of minutes later they had their best chance of the match. A strong run from Riach saw him playing the ball to Urquhart who flicked on and Watson was just spoiled from scoring by a great tackle from Ogg. The ball broke back out to Riach and his cross was met by Urquharts head and although the header was on target it was too weak to bother Patullo. 

Doug Craig had to turn a dangerous Farquharson cross behind in 55 minutes as Kirrie came back into things. 

Strachan replaced Hood in 63 minutes for the home side. 

In 65 minutes Roselea finally got the breakthrough that their second half display was meriting. A long kick out from Mcleod was flicked on to WATSON and the predator did what he does best and calmly side footed home from 10 yards. 

This seemed to spur Kirrie into immediate action and first a Scott drive was  well held by Mcleod then a dangerous cross had to punched away by the home keeper. 

Roselea were looking livelier and they took a 2-1 lead in 74 minutes which had a touch of fortune about it. Kennedy picked the ball up 10 yards inside the Kirrie half and his miss hit cross came back off the bar and fell to URQUHART who did a good job in following up and scored from 4 yards out. 

Straight away Kirrie retaliated again and Johnny Watson should have squared things when his diving header went wide after it was a certainty to score. 

Roselea replaced Riach with Aitken in 77 minutes. The sub made an instant impact by winning a free kick then flicking Craigs free kick on and Urquhart just failed to connect. 

Kirrie Thistle were not finished and Watson broke on the right and sent in a low ball which deceived everyone as it ran along the 6 yard box with no takers. The match was squared in 88 minutes when the pressing Kirrie side won a penalty. Substititute Stuart FARQUHARSON picked his spot and sent Mcleod the wrong way to level matters. 

Rae went close for the gutted Roselea side with a long range effort which went just over. There was further drama to unfold as Roselea won a penalty 4 minutes into stoppage time. Aitken was clever and got himself in front of Smith who clipped his heels. Up stepped Doug Craig and to everyones disbelief he shot high over the bar 

FULL TIME: Montrose Roselea 2 Kirrie Thistle 2 

This was a result which Roselea would have been pleased with considering the dismal first half showing however to have the opportunity to take all three points with the late penalty was disappointing to say the least. Downfield now take top spot by a point although Roselea have two games in hand.

Roselea take a break from League action with an attractive trip to Spain Park, Aberdeen to meet Banks o Dee in the 3^rd Round of the GA Cup. A bus is leaving the Golf Inn at 11.45 for the match which kicks off at 2.15pm. Names are still being taken and the bus is free of charge- Please contact the Golf Inn on 01674 672047. Jordan Reoch will serve the last match of his two game suspension and hopefully some of the injured & unavailable players will also be ready for action again.  

MONTROSE ROSELEA v BLAIRGOWRIE

EAST REGION NORTH DIVISION

SAT JAN 22^nd 2011 

Roselea faced one of their fellow title challengers in Blairgowrie who were relegated from the Premier League last season along with the home side. Four points separated the sides with Roselea having the advantage and both having played the same 9 games. A win either way would have a massive impact on the Title race. 

Roselea had a few selection worries with Jonathon Mitchell & Mark Fotheringham unavailable and Calum Rae out with flu although he made the bench. In came Lee Hood & Scott Riach with Sean Mustard replacing Matt Miller at fullback and Colin Kennedy replacing Rae in midfield. 

The match was fortunate to proceed as the heavy frost of Wednesday & Thursday almost ruled it out however a thaw and rain on Friday improved matters and following a 9am inspection the game went ahead. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Mustard, Whyte, Reoch, Doug Craig, Hood, David Craig, Urquhart, Kennedy, Riach & Collier. Subs: Aitken, Strachan, Miller, Reid & Rae. 

On a perfectly calm day the wind was not going to be a problem however underfoot conditions were greasy with an inch of soft ground covering ice underneath.

Roselea were first on the attack and Collier headed a Craig cross goalwards in 5 minutes but Obrien held well at the second attempt. 

In 8 minutes Ireland of Blair was booked for attempting win a penalty then Dewar went close for the visitors a minute later when his shot from the edge of the area was deflected behind for a corner. 2 minutes later Cruickshank and another chance for Blair but his shot was direct at McLeod. 

Blairgowrie were getting on top and Neave intercepted a ball played between Doug Craig and Riach in 15 minutes and only a great save from Mcleod prevented the opener. 

In 21 minutes Urquhart received a yellow card for the home side and was lucky that he got some of the ball otherwise a straight red would have been the only outcome. 

Cruickshank had another header go just wide in 23 minutes with Blair controlling the traffic towards the Lea goal. 

Hood went on a great run in 41 minutes gliding past his fullback before hitting a great low cross which was excellently delat with by Obrien in the visitors goal. 

Roselea almost broke the offside trap with a well time run from Riach which was adjudged offside then at the other end Brash should have given Blairgowrie the lead when he also timed his run to perfection but slid the ball past the post with Mcleod beaten at the edge of the box. 

There was still time as the half drew to a close for Nicoll to beat the offside trap and again be thwarted by another terrific Mcleod save then the Roselea stopper then put in a great tackle as the ball was bouncing about in the box following a corner. 

Half Time Roselea 0 Blairgowrie 0

Roselea made a change at half time with Miller coming on for the booked Urquhart and the pack was shuffled to contain the Blairgowrie attacks. 

Roselea were becoming more positive and a Kennedy cross came of a Blair player at close range in the box. Surprisingly the referee gave a bye kick only for his assistant to correct him awarding the correct corner decision. Blairgowrie dealt with the corner well with Obrien holding Kennedy’s cross under pressure. 

Roselea were coming more into the game and in 55 minutes they had a great chance to take the lead through Collier. He broke in to the box getting in front of Chrisitison but keeper Obrien came flying out and made a great blocking save. From the corner kick a well rehearsed move saw Dougie Craig strike a first time shot which whistled just wide of the upright. 

In 65 minutes another Roselea break saw Kennedy find himself in a useful position on the left but with Collier poised on the penalty spot on his own the cross found Ferguson at the near post who cleared the danger. 

Kennedy picked up Roseleas 2^nd booking of the day for a late tackle in 68 minutes. 

On 70 minutes Roselea served up another chance. This time Lee Hood drifted in and met Craig’s cross with a downward header which seemed to take the power out of the ball and Obrien held easily. 

Menzies the Blairgowrie right back had a strong run in 72 minutes and David Craig’s timely block almost went into the net via his own player Mustard. 

In 78 minutes disaster struck for Roselea. Reoch went in for a tackle and although he brought the player down he also made strong contact with the ball however referee Beats saw fit to administer a straight red card to the youngster. 

In 84 minutes an unsual site at Broomfield Park as Whyte had to leave the field due to injury and was replaced by Aitken. 

Roselea were looking to hold on however deep into stoppage time they got a dramatic winner. Kennedy fed the ball through to Hood and with keeper Obrien commited he slid and prodded the ball past him into the path of the inrushing AITKEN who took his time and finished from 6 yards. There was still time left for a lengthy treatment to Aitken following a head clash and for Roselea to run down the clock with the replacement of Kennedy for Strachan. 

Final Score: Roselea 1 Blairgowrie 0 

A much welcome win for Roselea and a very important one at that. With Blairgowrie holding the upperhand in the first half and Mcleod saving the bacon at times they were happy to go in all square at Half Time.The change of formation at the break seemed to swing it more in the home teams favour but Blairgowrie will feel that they should have had things wrapped by then anyway.  After last weeks loss at home to North End this had become a must win game and the players and Management team will be delighted with their efforts. 

EAST REGION NORTH DIVISION

MONTROSE ROSELEA v DUNDEE NORTH END

SAT JAN 15th 2011

After 7 weeks without a match Roselea pulled out the stops to play a rearranged home fixture with Dundee North End following the postponment of their match at Coupar Angus on Wednesday. Broomfield Park was in great condition although wet but the threat of more rain loomed as the match kicked off.North End who had played the same amount of games as Roselea sat 9 points behind at the start of the match so it was a must win game for them.

Roselea lined up with Ewan Graham out injured and Craig Watson who is transfer listed. Both players featured in Roselea's last match at Violet on November 20th with Watson bagging a double that day. Johnny Mitchell who had played much of season 2009/10 returned to the fold and committed himself to the club and was a suprise inclusion in the starting line up. The enforced break also allowed James Collier to regain his fitness following injury.

Roselea: McLeod, Miller, Doug Craig, Reoch, Whyte, Rae, Urquhart, David Craig, Reid, Collier & Mitchell. Subs: Aitken, Strachan, Fotheringham, Riach, Hood, Kennedy & Mustard.

Roselea faced an ever strenthening wind in the first half and the rain was coming and going.

North End were first to break and Percy went close after he made a well timed run to beat the Roselea defence but shot narrowly wide across the face of the goal.

In 7 minutes Roselea saw action at the other end with Johnny Mitchells header going just wide from a Doug Craig cross.

North End were having the Lions share of the possesion but with the strong wind at their backs many of their passes were running through.

It was Roselea who had the next chance and following good link up play between Craig and Reid the latter sent in a looping cross which landed at the feet of Whyte but he could not direct his shot on target from 8 yards.

A minute later North End broke through Percy who crossed however Reoch cleared only as far as Glennie and Mcleod had a wonderful save to tip the ball over for a corner with the ball heading in to the left hand corner of the net.

The game was swinging from end to end and Collier won a free kick right on the edge of the North End box with a clever swivel which almost won him a penalty. Doug Craig sent over a free kick and Urquhart headed just over the top.

North End were just shading the first half and Reoch had to turn a dangerous Percy cross behind for one of three corners on the trot for the visitors.In 43 minutes North End had a great chance to break the deadlock when they broke following a Roselea corner. Glennie went wide and found Percy who checked inside and only a brilliant save from Mcleod stopped him scoring.

Half Time: Roselea 0 North End 0

The North End forwards were giving Roselea all sorts of problems and Mcomiskie raced clear of the home defence with Mcleod doing well again to turn his chip away with Whyte sweeping up to fully clear.

Just as North End were getting on top Roselea won a penalty in 55 minutes when Mitchell was brought down after rounding Kelly. Matt Miller with a great record in shoot outs stepped up and sent his penalty into the corner only for Kelly to guess correctly and save at full stretch.

In 60 minutes Strachan was introduced for Roselea replacing Reid.

North End right back Thomson had a rasping 35 yard left foot drive saved by Mcleod who held well with Percy waiting to pounce.

North End broke the deadlock in 68 minutes. Smalls well struck corner kick only needed guided into the net by GLENNIE at the front post.

Roselea made further changes with Hood and Aitken replacing David Craig and Mitchell as they tried to get back into the game. North End were sweeping up everything thrown at them and looked solid whilst Roselea lacked ideas. 

With 5 minutes stoppage time on the clock, lightnening quick sub KELLY took on the Roselea defence and finished calmly after rounding Mcleod to seal a fine victory.

 Final Score: Roselea 0 Dundee North End 2

Roselea will be gutted that they lost a great opportunity to extend their lead in the North Division whilst also losing their unbeaten record at the same time. It was a classic bad day at the office with not much coming for them whilst coming up against an excellent young North End side who were hungry.

The win pulls North End back into the chasing back now lying 6 points behind Roselea having played the same amount of games.

 Roselea will need to write this loss off and get back to basics in their next matches.

DUNDEE VIOLET v MONTROSE ROSELEA

EAST REGION JFA NORTH LEAGUE

SAT NOV 13th 2010

Roselea travelled to Glenesk Park Dundee to face Violet who were expected to be one of their main title challengers in an important League match. With 1 point seperating the sides a win for either would be cruical. Roselea travelled minus James McKellar who failed a fitness test and Craig Watson & Matt Miller made a return to the starting line up replacing Scott Riach and Sean Mustard respectively. Veteran keeper Ronnie Massie deputised for Ross Mcleod who was on holiday. A very wet surface met them as the winter weather starts to affect Junior parks up and down the country.

Roselea: Massie, Miller, Whyte, Graham, Doug Craig, Reoch, Rae, Urquhart, Kennedy, Collier and Watson. Subs: Reid, Aitken, David Craig, Mustard, Riach, Strachan & Hood

Violet took control early on but Roselea were first on the attack when Rae and Reoch combined with Reochs dangerous cross being cut out with Collier waiting.

Violet retaliate when a ball is cleared from the Roselea box but Ogilivies long range effort is way off the target.

Roselea took the lead in 12 minutes and was aided by a slip from Violet defender Smith. Paul Whyte played an excellent long ball which may have reached Watson anyway but when Smith slipped on the difficult surface Watson composed himself and had his usual assured finish from 20 yards in off the post.

Roselea doubled their lead in 14 minutes with danger man Watson counting again. This time he flicked on a long Graham free kick into the net with his head with Violet keeper Kelly caught in no mans land.

Roselea were on the up and Kennedy almost got his head perfectly to a great Miller cross but it just went over the upright in 16 minutes.

Violet should have pulled a goal back a minute later when Tennant pounced on a similiar Roselea slip but pulled the trigger too early and left Massie an easier task than he should have had. In 21 minutes Violet had another chance when Ballantine sent in a cross which danger man Tennat met at the far post but again lacked the killer header to worry Massie.

Roselea's double scorer Watson had to leave the game with a neck injury and had to be replaced by teenage striker Aitken in 24 minutes.

Violet had another great chance in 26 minutes this time Tennat weaved his way into the Lea box and layed the ball back to Ballantine who screwed his effort wide of target from 10 yards in a packed box.

Roselea took a three goal lead in 37 minutes with a well worked goal. Aitken and Collier combined to set up Urquhart and he fully composed himself and slid the ball past Kelly from an angle.

Right on half time Urquhart should have turned provider after a good cross from Collier however he elected for a difficult overhead kick with Rae and Reoch well positioned at the edge of the box.

Half Time: Violet 0 Roselea 3

Roselea came out with intent to start where they left off and an intelligent square ball from Rae set up Urquhart for a 25 yard shot but he was off target.

Violet made their task look almost impossible when Gavin Hood was dismissed after an off the ball kick at Kennedy with the stand side linesman doing his job correctly by pointing it out to referee Duncan.

In 58 minutes Riach replaced the injured Kennedy.

Violet were coming into things depsite having ten men and were gifted a lifeline with a penalty in 65 minutes which was puzzling. Tennat broke free with Massie saving at his feet before the ball broke to Miller who cleared. As Massie and Tennat struggled to their feet the referee pointed to the spot. Tennat who had been brought down took the kick and placed it in the corner.

Riach made a break on the right in 70 minutes with Violet pressing to get back in the game and his early cross met Collier who tried to control before shooting and the chance was lost.

Violet were truly back in the game in 73 minutes and it was the man who had caused problems all day, Tennat who scored. A long ball caught Roselea's defence out and Tennat had the easy job of lobbing the onrushing Massie.

Play was now swinging from end to end and after Massie held a Milton long range effort Aitken broke free at the other but his flighted shot drifted over.

Violet did not look like the team with 10 men and they had three great chances in the closing minutes to get what would have been a deserved equaliser. A long throw in decived everyone apart from Sievwright and Massie had a great save with his feet. Next Reynolds cut inside and his shot hit the outside of the post  before Reoch had to clear off the line from a header.

The sound of the final whistle came with great relief for all involved with Roselea in what is a cruical win for the side.

Final Score: Dundee Violet 2 Montrose Roselea 3

Referee Colin Duncan

After a terrific start Roselea took advantage and looked on easy street with three good goals before 10 man Violet heroicly almost snatched a draw which few could have begrudged them. Roselea went into the game looking for at least a point and came away with a win so the overall performance and result were pleasing. With Arbroath Vics and Downfield drawing 0-0 it made the result extra special.

Roselea are now down for a free week on Saturday November 20th and it will remain that way unless weather disrupts other fixtures. At the moment there is no fixtures issued for November 27th or beyond.

CAMBUSLANG RANGERS v MONTROSE ROSELEA

FLY EMIRATES SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP 2^nd ROUND

6^th November 2010 

Roselea travelled to Glasgow to play Cambuslang Rangers in the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup after their postponed tie the previous week. Heavy rain in the West coast meant that it was only passed fit to play with an early morning inspection and on arrival the referee had to reinspect several areas which were sodden by further rain. The surface was very heavy and cut up badly as the match progressed. Roselea were minus Lee Hood and David Craig due to work commitments. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Mustard, Whyte, Reoch, Graham, McKellar, Urquhart, Rae, Kennedy, Collier & Riach. Subs Miller, Aitken, Fotheringham, Strachan, Reid, Doug Craig, Watson 

As expected Cambuslang came out flying and tried to make it difficult for the travelling side and had the best of the opening exchanges. They went close when a cross cum shot went just over the crossbar. They went closer in 5 minutes when Hadden rounded Mcleod but Graham got back to clear off the line. 

Play was being bogged down in midfield and the conditions were stopping both sides to get any rhythm going. Collier was looking like Roseleas main danger and twice the home keeper managed to save with his legs to prevent him opening the scoring. 

Cambuslang finally broke the deadlock in 33 minutes. Roselea were on the attack but the move broke down allowing Camuslangs Hadden to advance on Mcleod before finishing neatly.

Roselea tried to get back into the game but could not make any inroads with Rangers holding tight.

Half Time: Cambuslang Rangers 1 Montrose Roselea 0

Again the second period play was getting bogged down on the heavy surface and Cambuslangs experienced side were handling everything that Roselea could throw at them. 

Roselea introduced Strachan, Watson and Aitken in a bid to break down the stubborn home defence. 

Aitken and Watson linked well with the formers volley just off target. 

With 7 minutes remaining and with Roselea pushing forward the home side sealed the tie with a goal on the break. Roselea had a free kick with almost all their players in the box Cambuslang broke and Ferguson nipped in just in front of the onrushing Mcleod before slotting home. 

With Roselea stretched and pushing forward Cambuslang broke again and Reoch missed his tackle and again Kilmartin finished coolly to put the tie beyond doubt. 

Final Score: Cambuslang Rangers 3 Montrose Roselea 0