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Montrose Roselea v Haddington Athletic

Sat August 8^th 2015

 

Roselea hosted newly promoted Harrington Athletic, who are many peoples tip for the title, in a thoroughly entertaining opening fixture of the season.

Manager Chris Simpson took his place in the dugout for the first time. Players Whyte, Findlater, Mitchell, Taylor, Findlater and Rae were unavailable for the home team so Craig Anderson dropped back from midfield into right back. Competitive debut starts were given to Craig Sturrock at left back, and Grant Mowatt started in centre midfield after an impressive second half showing there in a pre season friendly on Tuesday. There were two Trialists named on the bench.

 

Roselea: Mcleod, Anderson, Sturrock, Thomson, Collier, Cruckshank, McDowell, Mowatt, Campbell, Greig & Watson. Subs: Smith, Dalgarno, Bailey & Taylor

 

It didn't take long before Roselea created their first chance of the match. Watson laid the ball of to Campbell and he curled his shot back off the crossbar. Just a few minutes later Watson latched on to a poor back pass from an away defender. The striker's shot was tame and well saved but Cruickshank gathered the rebound and crossed deep into WATSON who atoned for his previous miss by volleying low into the far bottom corner to give the 'Lea the perfect start.

 

Campbell was causing all sorts of problems down the left and after collecting a ball from Sturrock he drilled in a superb low cross which Greig was unfortunate not to get on the end of.

 

Haddington had made what will be their longest journey of the season and gave Roselea a reminder that they were looking to take as much as they could back down the road with them. Daniel Noon looked to be in on goal and a slight bit of fortune when the ball broke, but keeper Mcleod was sharp off his line to thwart the attacker.

 

In the 17th minute Noon tried his luck from the edge of the box but pulled his shot wide. Sproule, was first to react though and his strike looked certain to equalise for the away team but Mcleod pulled off a superb diving save to maintain Roseleas lead.

 

Scott Wright had another chance for Haddington when he found himself on the edge of the box. He skilfully beat a Roselea defender to create a chance to shoot but his shot was off target.

 

Both teams were struggling to keep hold of the ball for any significant time as could be expected in the opening fixture of the season but Roselea extended their lead with arguably the best move of the match after 38 minutes. Manager Simpson had just switched Campbell to right wing in a tactical switch and it pulled off for him immediately. After a decent amount of ball possession from the home team, play was switched over to the right hand side. CAMPBELL beat the offside trap and his first touch was brilliant as he played himself in on goal. As the keeper came out he showed great composure to slot the ball into the corner of the net to give Roselea a two goal lead for half time.

 

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 2 Haddington Athletic 0

 

Haddington Athletic made two changes at half time. Paterson and Sinclair coming on for Draper and Noon.

 

On 49 minutes Cruickshank crossed to Watson who's first time hit was saved well at the front post by Amos.

 

Roselea were left to rue a missed opportunity to effectively kill off the game after 50 minutes. A pass back by centre half Noble was read by Watson who intercepted. The striker unselfishly squared the ball to Mowatt who was then dispossessed by a tackle deemed legal by the referee. Mowatt quickly got up and recovered the ball and laid it off to Greig but his shot was then blocked.

 

Haddington appeared to be tiring a little at this stage and reverted to a more direct approach. A long ball played from Inglis at the back caught out Thomson and Campbell and found Sinclair but he shot wide when in on goal.

 

Roselea did not heed the warning and a couple minutes later the long ball again caused the home team problems. Devlin gathered the ball and laid it off to PATERSON who ran in on goal and fired low into the near post. 2-1

 

With 20 minutes to go Roselea had a chance to regain their two goal cushion when Campbell crossed for Watson but his header was well saved by away keeper Amos.

 

Roselea were dealt a cruel blow after 72 minutes. Fairnie was clever in the box and drew a foul from a Roselea defender in the box. DEVLIN stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake sending it into the bottom right hand corner.

 

Roselea made a couple of changes late in the game with Bailey and Smith replacing Campbell and Greig.

 

The home team had a small chance to get the three points right at the death. Watson put pressure on the keeper and his kick found Smith, who tried to find the empty net from 25 yards out but blasted way over.

 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 2 Haddington Athletic 2

 

Roselea will feel disappointed to only come away with a draw in the end, but a lot of positives must be taken from the performance in which Scott McDowell was awarded the Man of the Match by Match Sponsor Jim Hughes and Friends.

Roselea are at home again on Weds August 12^th when Dundee Violet come to Broomfield Park for the second League match of the season. Kick Off is at 7.00pm.