DUNDEE VIOLET V MONTROSE ROSELEA

MCBOOKIE.COM EAST PREMIER LEAGUE

SAT JAN 10^TH 2015  

Roselea travelled to Glenesk Park to face Dundee Violet in a match which would see them reach the half way stage in the Premier League. The last time the sides met their Simon Murray the recent signing for Dundee Utd was red carded in frustration after failing to make an impact in a match that finished 2-2. The sides had also met in a GA Cup tie in November with Violet winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Roselea were in a rich vein of form having won their previous six league matches and started the year with a friendly win over Kirrie Thistle. Violet had lost two of their last 3 games with the final game of 2014 being lost 4-1 to St Andrews Utd on the 20^th December. A point separated the sides with Roselea sitting on 22 points after 14 games compared to Violet’s 21 points. 

Roselea travelled with a few absentees. Ross Mcleod was returning from holiday so Ronnie Massie deputised. Paul Taylor was out with flu and was joined by Kyle Findlater who was a late call off. Craig Taylor and Scott McDowell sat out through injury but Andy Tringham arrived home from Offshore to boost the bench along new signing ex Luthermuir player Stephen Greig. Despite a ferocious wind in Montrose, Glenesk Park was mild in comparison and conditions underfoot were firmer than expected. 

Roselea: Massie, Rae, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Mitchell, Anderson, Collier, Cruickshank, Watson & Reid. Subs: Thomson, Smith, Tringham & Greig.

Roselea had the first go at the goal when Reid flicked on to Watson in 4 minutes and he managed to turn on the edge of the box and fire in a low shot that Thain held well. In 5 minutes there was a let off for Violet and a yellow card for Sime after he pulled down Reid who was breaking away. Luckily for the Violet defender there was cover which saved him a red card. 

A minute later Violet had their first sight of goal when Cox broke free on the left and only a brilliant covering tackle from Reoch prevented a goal. 

Roselea took the lead in the 8^th minute through Dale REID. A clever dummy from Watson on the half way line sent the striker clear and he rounded the keeper before slipping the ball into the empty net for his 16^th goal of the season. 

Cruickshank set off down the left in the 20^th minute and was fouled before passing to Reid who was also fouled on the touchline before continuing into the box and seemed to be tripped inside the area but kept upright making the referee’s decision easier. 

It was almost 2-0 in 21 minutes when only a great save from Thain as he blocked a Reid effort from a Cruickshank low cross as Roselea looked to press ahead. 

Violet equalised much against the run of play in 22 minutes. MCCONNACHIE broke clear and after Massie blocked the first shot with his feet the ball fell kindly to the striker and he slotted the ball between Rae and the post with a great finish. 

In 35 minutes a great passage of play involving Watson, Reid and Anderson saw the ball shifted wide to Mitchell and Watson could not get the right contact on the ball at the far post to guide it home. 

Violet had a couple of great chances to take the lead in the last 5 minutes of the half. First Urquhart found himself in on goal but shot early and lifted the ball over then a Reoch mistake allowed Payne sight of goals but Massie stood firm and saved with his feet and finally Rae had to make an excellent tackle at the front post as Roselea survived the home pressure. 

Half Time: Dundee Violet 1 Montrose Roselea 1

The opening period of the second half saw Roselea press Violet looking for a way in front with the home side rarely threatening.  

Violet went close when Anderson was penalised for a handball in the middle of the pitch and Wilson flicked the free kick on to the top of the bar. 

Roselea made the breakthrough in the 55^th minute with a simple goal when Calum WATSON headed home a Craig Anderson corner when he was unmarked 8 yards out.  

Roselea were give a massive advantage in the 60^th minute when O’Connor was shown a straight red card after an off the ball collision with Craig Anderson.  

In the 65 minute Roselea were forced to make a change when Mitchell took a heavy challenge and was replaced by Stephen Greig. Mudie was shown a yellow card for his tackle on Mitchell. 

A great ball from Cruickshank sent Anderson down the right hand side in 73 minutes and his cutback was met by Greig who just couldn’t get enough power to trouble Thain as the ball squirmed onto the line. 

It was all Roselea as they turned their extra man supremacy into chances and Cruickshank had a shot blocked after Reid had slid the ball inside the full back.  

A very heavy shower of snow threatened proceedings for a 5 minute spell but thankfully blew over with Roselea in a commanding position. 

In 78 minutes Greig picked up a strange booking after he appeared to be brought down for a penalty in the box and fell on the ball. The referee booked him for hand ball rather than a dive. 

In 82 minutes it was finally 3-1 to a dominant Roselea. Greig outstripped Sime and unselfishly cut the ball back to WATSON who dinked the ball over the diving keeper before making sure from close range. 

Roselea made a second change when Morgan Smith came on the hard working Collier in 85 minutes. 

There were two further chances for Roselea with Greig and Watson bringing out saves from Thain in the Violet goal. 

Just on time there was to be a goal for Violet when McConnachie got in behind the Roselea defence and lifted the ball over Massie and WILSON was on hand at the far post to prod home from close in. In stoppage time Violet won a free kick and Roselea had a scare when Wilson was allowed a free header which went straight to Massie who held firm. 

Full Time: Dundee Violet 2 Montrose Roselea 3

This was another well deserved win for Roselea and should have perhaps been slightly easier than the scoreline suggested. Despite a 10-15 minute spell at the end of the first half when Violet scored and should have taken a lead into half time the visitors dominated proceedings and should have been safe before the last minute scare. This was the teams seventh win in a row in the League and pushes them up to 4^th in the Premier League which is the clubs highest ever in the East Region. With several other matches off it means Roselea are now only 3 points behind the leaders in what is an extremely tight League with only 12 points between top and second bottom. 

On Saturday January 17^th Roselea travel to Gorebridge, Edinburgh to face Arniston Rangers who have picked up points since appointing a new Manager. Roselea will be running a bus which will leave the Golf Inn at 10.20 and supporters are welcome to travel free of charge.