Montrose Roselea

I hope this is taken in the fun it is meant to be, but during the recent Coupar Angus match we couldn't help but notice the striking resemblence that the Coupar Angus right back has to the Lion from the Wizard of Oz.............so here it is, If you know of any other animal/filmstar lookalikes from the football world (apart from Davey Dodds) why not drop us a line via the messageboard and we will see if we can dig up a photo of them.

MONTROSE ROSELEA vs DUNDEE VIOLET WHYTE & MACKAY TAYSIDE PREMIER DIVISION 16/10/2004 SINGLE CROALL SINKS VIOLET Roselea were at home to unbeaten Dundee Violet in a Tayside Premier League match. With the Roselea absentee list disappearing the like the old bridge there were not too many changes from the previous weeks team. Kevin Crawford (flu) sat out for the returning Eric Watson who was back from injury/holiday and Martin Christie replaced Luke Myers who was also on the sick list. Paul Masson was offshore, James McKellar on holiday, Graham Walger, Hayden Smith and Chris Simpson are still longer term injured. Roselea lined up in a 4-4-2 formation: : Ross Mcleod, Matt Miller, Paul Whyte Paul Ross, Chris Masson, Martin Christie, Eric Watson, David Craig and Scott Findlater, Colin Page and Duncan Croall were upfront. The bench consisted of Luke Myers, Lee Walker, Kevin Smith, Dean Milne and John Wands. Roselea almost opened the scoring in the first minute, Duncan Croall closed down a defender and forced an error Scott Findlater weaved his way to the byeline and almost found the arriving Eric Watson. Violet retaliated and should have opened the scoring in 10 minutes. Possession was given away in midfield and Paul Clark should have made more of a close in chance. Colin Page had a shot blocked in 24 minutes and from the resulting corner Chris Masson had a downward header blocked on the line. In 30 minutes Roselea had their best chance to take the lead, Martin Christie failed to fully connect with a Croall cross and the danger was cleared. Roselea were turning on the pressure and Page & Masson both went close within minutes of each other. Just on half time Colin Page had a swerving, dipping shot from 30 yards tipped onto the crossbar by Violet keeper Brown. Half Time Roselea 0 Violet 0 The game was flowing from end to end and Violet had a free kick tipped over the bar by Mcleod with Roselea replying with a great run from Watson, unfortunately he could not despatch a shot at the end of it. Roselea took a deserved lead in 57 minutes after a long spell of pressure. Scott Findlater had a shot blocked and a Violet defenders clearance was blocked by Croall with the result being the ball ending up in the back of the net. This was Duncan’s second goal in two weeks. Scott Findlater picked up the matches first booking in 65 minutes for a second heavy challenge. Duncan Croall almost got a second when he found himself clear in the box but his chipped effort went tamely past the left hand post. Roselea made a substitution in 71 minutes when Kevin Smith replaced the tiring Eric Watson. Everyone connected to Roselea were glad to see the return of the midfielder. In 80 minutes Roselea had the prefect opportunity to increase the lead and secure the points when they were awarded a penalty. Martin Chrisite who was about to be subbed made a strong run into the Violet box and although he managed to get his shot away he was impeded from behind and referee Dalgetty had no hesitation pointing to the spot. A long delay ensued whilst Christie received treatment and the Violet player was booked. Chris Masson stepped up but his kick was at a good height for Brown and he pushed the ball away. As time dwindled away Roselea replaced Chrisite with Dean Milne and Roselea held on comfortably for three very valuable points. Final Roselea 1 Violet 0 Match Sponsors: Bryan & Keith Wellington who awarded Paul Ross with his Man of the Match award. Other results: North End 2 Kinnoull 5 ASC 2 Forfar West End 3 A very pleasing result for the Roselea and it could not be argued that they were the better side. Even at this early stage in the season it was a vitally important result as they need to keep up with the current leaders in the table. Roselea have now gone four matches at home without conceding a goal and this can probably be put down to having a settled side and defence. This week will be a tough test for the defence with high scoring Forfar West End visiting on League Cup duty. Roselea will be desperate to avenge the 5 goal drubbing which West End handed out at Forfar. Kick Off is at 2.30pm

MONTROSE ROSELEA vs COUPAR ANGUS- DJ LAING LEAGUE CUP SECTION 4 09/10/2004 Roselea were at home to Coupar Angus in DJ Laing League Cup action on Saturday. A win would be a must and with Coupar Angus having beaten the Lea earlier in the season a win would also put the record straight. The injury list was easing at last and only Paul Masson, Eric Watson, Hayden Smith and Graham Walger were absent through injury with James McKellar missing on holiday. Dean Milne returned from holiday and Duncan Croall, who was signed from Welfare League side Albert Bar was making his debut as a signed player having played three matches as a trialist. Roselea lined up in a 4-4-2 formation: : Ross Mcleod, Matt Miller, Paul Whyte Paul Ross, Chris Masson, Luke Myers, Kevin Crawford, David Craig and Scott Findlater, Colin Page and Duncan Croall were upfront. The bench consisted of Martin Christie, Lee Walker, Kevin Smith, Dean Milne and John Wands. Roselea started the match strongly but it was ten minutes in before the first real chance fell to David Craig. He got on the end of a Findlater cross and headed narrowly over. Coupar Angus seemed to be content with slowing the game down at every opportunity with their right full back putting up a very strong show of time wasting. Roselea’s next opportunity came in the fifteenth minute when a long clearance from keeper Mcleod found Colin Page and the striker found himself in on the keeper. The keeper was rooted to his line and despite Page hitting a sweet volley the young keeper made an excellent save. In 20 minutes Roselea had another opportunity to score when a Page cross was narrowly headed wide by Croall with the goal at his mercy. It was one-way traffic and Page was again thwarted by the Coupar keeper. A Matt Miller pass put him in and the keeper turned the ball around the post from a narrow angle. Roselea finally took the lead 2 minutes before half time. A beautifully flighted cross from Luke Myers was met by Colin Page at the near post and he headed home to make it 1-0 Roselea. Half Time Roselea 1 Coupar Angus 0 Coupar Angus went close in 50 minutes when a cross cum shot was deflected behind for a corner. Colin Page went close for Roselea just after his header from a Findlater cross going over the bar. Christie replaced Myers in 72 minutes. Roselea then doubled their lead after a great move involving Miller, Findlater and Page ended with Duncan Croall scoring at the back post from a Findlater cross. This effectively won the match with Coupar Angus showing little in attack. In 82 minutes Roselea sent Walker and Smith on for Miller and Crawford. Croall then had the ball in the net again with an excellent finish but was adjudged to be offside. Final Score Roselea 2 Coupar Angus 0 A very deserved win for the Roselea and their discipline had to be spot on otherwise a very defensive Coupar Angus team could have frustrated. The win keeps Roselea within touching distance of the leaders. North End were on Scottish Cup replay duty whilst Forfar West End beat Kirriemuir 4-1. It is back to league duty next week with unbeaten Dundee Violet being the visitors. Violet have had a few changes in personnel but seem to have continued their form from last season when they finished second in the league to Carnoustie. This will be a tough match but the players should rise to the challenge. Kick Off is at 2.30pm

BLAIRGOWRIE vs MONTROSE ROSELEA- TAYSIDE PREMIER LEAGUE DAVIE PARK, BLAIRGOWRIE 02/10/2004 Montrose Roselea travelled to Davie Park Blairgowrie for their first League fixture of the season. The missing list of previous weeks was beginning to dwindle and the squad was starting to resemble that of the previous season with Colin Page, James McKellar, Paul Masson, Paul Whyte and Scott Findlater being available for selection. On the downside Eric Watson and Graham Walger were ruled out by injury and may be for some time and Dean Milne was on holiday. Blairgowrie’s pitch was in good condition although the grass was a touch long and a slight crosswind and threat of some rain threatened to make conditions testing, not for the first time this season. The management team had managed to watch Blairgowrie earlier this season and a tough match was predicted. Paul Masson, who was selected in the starting line up broke down with a recurrence of an Achilles problem and was replaced by Kevin Crawford Roselea lined up in a 4-4-2 formation: : Ross Mcleod, Matt Miller, Paul Whyte Paul Ross, Chris Masson, James McKellar, Kevin Crawford, David Craig and Scott Findlater, Colin Page and a trialist, who was playing his third match were upfront. The bench consisted of Martin Christie, Lee Walker, Luke Myers and John Wands. Blairgowrie with the wind at their backs started strongly and forced a number of corners which Roselea defended well. Brash found himself in the referee’s book in 13 minutes for a rash tackle on Findlater. In 22 minutes Roselea made their first real attack with a James McKellar cross being narrowly missed by the Trialist striker. Craig then had a shot from the edge of the box but never really threatened the goal. Blairgowrie then threatened on a couple of occasions. A long range shot was deflected off Paul Ross for a corner. Barry Mclean of Blair then had the best effort of the half go narrowly wide. He cut in from the left and sent a flashing drive inches wide of Mcleods right hand post. As the first half closed David Craig almost found himself in trouble for tackling the referee. The whistler found himself upended and managed to continue despite having injured himself in the process Half-time 0-0 Roselea started the second half in a more aggressive mood and looked to have taken the lead when a Colin Page free kick was headed back across goal to Paul Whyte and the full back appeared to have done everything right but his shot on the turn went narrowly wide. Colin Page then went close when he had a 30 yard effort held by the keeper, who was having an outstanding game. In 53 minutes McKellar then tested the keeper from 20 yards but again the Blairgowrie shot-stopper was equal to the task. In 66 minutes a mix up almost presented Roselea with the opening goal but the break of the ball was not kind and the danger was cleared. Paul Ross was having an excellent match and he rescued the Lea with a last gasp tackle to prevent a goal. Roselea were having the upper hand in the pressure stakes but it was a sucker punch goal that was going to cost them the match in 72 minutes. Roselea actually had a corner, which the keeper fumbled and eventually managed to gather. His quick throw out caught Roselea on the hop and a 3 on 2 situation developed. Blairgowrie substitute Neave found the net although it is doubtful if his strike was meant to be on target. Blairgowrie had a couple of further chances with Roselea pressing to get something out of the match. Only a couple of brilliant saves from Mcleod saved the scoreline flattering Blairgowrie. Roselea almost snatched a share of the points with 2 minutes remaining when a Colin Page cross was intercepted by a defender with trialist ready to poke the ball home at the far post. Final Blairgowrie 1 Roselea 0 Overall it was a disappointing result in a match that was a great advert for Junior football. The Roselea players can hold their heads high as they did not deserve to lose this match although no-one could grudge Blairgowrie the victory. It was particularly pleasing to see the defence tighten up with Paul Ross & Chris Masson having outstanding games. If there was a plus to be had it would have to be the fact that other teams will not relish visiting Blairgowrie and points will be hard to come by at Davie Park for visiting teams. Other Premier scores: Kinnoull 2 Broughty Ath 2 Forfar WE 3 Lochee Harp 2 This week Roselea get back to DJ Laing League Cup action with a home match against Coupar Angus. Roselea are still smarting from the disappointing 4-3 defeat away from home and with the squad getting closer to full strength it should be a chance to avenge the defeat. Kick Off is 2.30 pm Roselea have been drawn away to Oakley Utd (East Super League) on November 20th in the Redwood Leisure Cup, which is contested by Tayside & Fife regions.

MONTROSE ROSELEA vs KIRRIE THISTLE 25/09/2004 DJ LAING CUP SECTION 4 Roselea were at home on Saturday in a DJ Laing League Cup Section match. A win for Roselea was going to be a must after three disappointing results in the first five section matches. Broomfield Park was flat, but very dry and the cross wind was going to make conditions difficult for both teams. Roselea’s pool was at full stretch with the injury/suspension list of the previous week being on much the same lines. Paul Whyte was on holiday, Graham Walger and Eric Watson were out due to injuries but on a plus note Kevin Crawford and Scott Findlater returned with Findlater only managing a position on the bench. Kirrie Thistle had a very youthful look about them and only had four recognised experienced players in their starting line up. Roseleas line up 4-4-2 was: Ross Mcleod, Martin Christie, Paul Ross, Chris Masson, Dean Milne, Matt Miller, Kevin Crawford, David Craig and Luke Myers, two trialists were included upfront. The bench consisted of Kevin Smith, Lee Walker, Graham Walger, Scott Findlater and John Wands. Roselea started brightly but it was Kirrie who had the best chances in the opening quarter. Kris Morrice, farmed out by Montrose seemed keen to look at any free kick from any distance and one effort smacked the cross-bar. Roselea took the lead in the 30th minute when Matt Miller scored a top quality goal to open the scoring. A defensive clearance came to him 25 yards out and after chesting the ball he volleyed an unstoppable drive into the top corner. The goal was all the more sweeter considering it was taken slightly into the wind. Luke Myers made several sorties into the Kirrie half and looked as if he would threaten but the Lea could not add to their tally. Half Time Roselea 1 Kirrie 0 The second half started in much the same pattern as the first and although Kirrie could claim to have the upperhand in possession terms they certainly never looked like scoring. Roselea appeared to have doubled their tally with 10 minutes remaining when one of the trialist strikers found the net with a cool finish but was given offside, probably very harshly. The game died out with Roselea replacing Kevin Crawford with Kevin Smith, Trialist with Scott Findlater and worryingly Lee Walker replaced an injured David Craig. Final Roselea 1 Kirrie Thistle 0. After recent weeks, a win was very welcome and although the quality of football has not yet returned to a peak it was still good to see a clean sheet with very little chance of it being breached. The league cup table is now tightening up although disappointingly North End won against Forfar West End when a draw would have been nice. Roselea should now have at least a three-week break from League Cup action and with three out of four games remaining at home, qualification is not yet gone although it will be an uphill struggle to get through. Match Sponsor was Keyline Other results: North End 2 Forfar West End 1 Coupar Angus 1 Broughty 2 Next week Roselea kick off their league campaign away to newly promoted Blairgowrie and if their recent results are anything to go by this will be a tough opening fixture. October 9th fixtures will be given once Scottish Cup replays are taken into account and Roselea will be at home to Violet on October 16th in the league. Apologies for the late cancellation of the Car Boot Sale, this was due to unforeseen circumstances.