MONTROSE ROSELEA v OAKLEY UTD

MCBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE
SAT 31^st JAN 2015 

Roselea managed to beat the artic conditions on Saturday being one of only a handful of games which beat the weather however most spectators were not sure if this had been a good thing. The Broomfield Park surface was damp but flat however a near gale force wind blew across the pitch making a change from the usual end to end wind. 

Roselea had been on an eight game winning run and were boosted by the return of several players who were due to miss the previous week’s game which had been postponed. Ross Mcleod returned in goal despite needing a strapping with James Collier, Ross Mitchell and Calum Watson all starting despite due to miss the week before. Paul & Craig Taylor missed out through injury with Michael Cruickshank & Aaron Thomson unavailable by work. 

Oakley Utd arrived in decent form having recorded wins against Tayport and Dalkeith in their previous two games. They also defeated Roselea 2-0 in the corresponding game in a much warmer month of August. They were just 3 points behind Roselea but had played two more games. 

Roselea: Mcleod, Rae, Whyte, Reoch, R Taylor, Mitchell, Anderson, Collier, Tringham, Watson & Reid. Subs: Smith, Findlater, Greig, McDowell & Massie (GK).

It was one nil Oakley in 7 minutes with the first attack of the game. Dale Allan put in a great curling cross and his namesake COULTER sneaked in front of Tringham to prod home from 6 yards out at the far post. 

Oakley were looking lively and moving the ball well in midfield. They took a quick free kick which allowed Allan to send in a curling left foot shot which went just over the bar. Oakley dominated the next ten minutes and seemed to be very slick on the ball in midfield whilst also looking to threaten on the break. 

Roselea finally got a chance in 20 minutes when Collier struck a shot from 25 yards and it was deflected behind for a corner. When the corner came in Whyte flicked on and the ball would not fall to a player in green in the scramble and Tapping cleared. 

Roselea had a great chance to equalise in the 21^st minute when Reid was released by Watson and rounded the keeper before shooting against the legs of Conners who was on the post. Interestingly keeper Manderson was booked for having impeded Reid before rounding him and staying on his feet. 

The dangerous Watt of Oakley then had a shot go just wide in 24 minutes but had been flagged for offside. 

Roselea had their best move of the game so far in the 26^th minute when Anderson put Mitchell down the right line and his low cross was met well by Watson with a low shot but the shot went low to Manderson who saved well. 

Roselea’s pressure paid off with an equaliser in the 29^th minute and it was from an Oakley mistake. Conners was woefully short with his passback to the keeper and allowed WATSON to drive in and steady himself before blasting the ball high into the net from an angle.

 It was then to be 2-1 to the home side 6 minutes before the break. A long clearance flew up the Oakley left hand side and Dale REID with great timing and his electric pace outstripped the defence before steadying himself and shooting low into the corner of the next from 16 yards.

Half Time: Montrose Roselea 2 Oakley Utd 1

The first action of an even colder second half saw Kyle Findlater replace Ryan Taylor who had picked up a strain in 57 minutes. 

Oakley then had a good spell again and several times Mcleod had to come and smother balls which the away side had used up the right hand side with the strikers very close to getting contact. 

The game was still very much in the balance with the next goal going to have massive impact on the outcome.

Roselea were awarded a free kick which was missed the referee but correctly given by his Assistant. Andrew Tringham curled a low shot round the wall using the wind to assist him but Manderson did well to hold under pressure. 

In 68 minutes Mitchell slotted a ball in to Watson who took his touch slightly wide making his finish harder and he shot against Manderson. 

In 79 minutes Roselea sealed the three points and their ninth consecutive win with a penalty. Mitchell again put Watson down the right and his cross found Tringham who was brought down as he rounded Manderson. As so happens now the penalty kick was not the only problem for Oakley as Manderson was red carded. Dale REID struck a great penalty past Reid who deputised and after having a great game outfield his first job was to pick the ball out of the net. 

Roselea made a second change in 82 minutes with Stephen Greig replacing Calum Watson. They made their third and final change in 86 minutes with McDowell coming on for Tringham who picked up a knock. Roselea saw out the remaining minutes which saw Oakley press for a way back into the game which finished with a snow flurry to compound the cold. 

Full Time; Montrose Roselea 3 Oakley Utd 1