Montrose Roselea

CONFIDENCE BOOSTING WIN FOR ROSELEA Tayside Premier League East Craigie v Montrose Roselea Wed 3rd May The midweek fixtures continued with an away league game against East Craigie as Roselea tried to keep up the pressure on Kinnoull at top of the league. Roselea: McLeod, Miller(Christie), Whyte, H. Smith, C. Masson, Keith, Clayton(Strachan), Forbes, Watson, Page(Croall), Longmuir. Subs: P. Masson, McKellar. Roselea started brightly and after a close Watson header, they took the lead in 8 minutes when Page curled a 25 yard free kick into the top corner of the net. Masson then headed over from a Page corner as Roselea continued to dictate the game. In 29 minutes great play between Page and Miller allowed the latter to hit a good drive narrowly over the bar. The lead was extended shortly after when Whyte headed home from six yards from an excellent Page cross. East Craigie responded and McGrath hit a shot which went just past the post. Roselea almost made it three on stroke of half time. A great run by Whyte, beating three players before exchanging passes with Watson then firing a shot off the post. HALF TIME - EAST CRAIGIE 0 ROSELEA 2 Roselea had a penalty claim when Hayden Smith had a header from a corner which appeared to be handled on the line, but the referee was unsighted. In 51 minutes Roselea came close again. Page crossing to Hayden Smith who set up Clayton but his shot was well saved by Morris in the Craigie goal. Keeper Morris made yet another good save this time from Forbes as Roselea threatened to run riot. Goal number three did arrive just after the hour after good play by Keith set up Watson who played in Clayton and he made no mistake. Paul Whyte then made it four shortly after scoring with a header from a corner kick. East Craigie then had a few attacks but McLeod in goal dealt comfortably with anything thrown at him. Roselea’s last attack saw Croall narrowly miss with a good effort. FULL TIME – EAST CRAIGIE 0 ROSELEA 4 This was an excellent performance to keep alive the slim hopes of winning the league title and continue building confidence, especially the defence who have now gone a number of games without conceding a goal. The next fixture is a league game away to Kinnoull on Saturday followed by the Dugout Cup Final on Saturday 20th May at North End Park, Dundee.

Findlay & Co Cup Violet v Montrose Roselea. Sat 29th April The Findlay & Co Cup took centre stage on Saturday as Roselea travelled to meet Violet in Dundee. With manager Balfour unavailable, Assistant Roy Gill took charge and with all the midweek games being played, it was another chance to use the full squad for this match. Roselea: Wands, Miller, Whyte, C. Masson, P. Masson, Craig, Christie, Forbes, Watson(Croall), Clayton(Simpson), Strachan(Longmuir). Subs: Keith, Page. Violet started the better on a very hard and bumpy pitch with Reynolds having a left foot shot which went narrowly past the left hand post. In 12 minutes another dangerous attack by Violet when Martin headed a free kick goal wards and Wands had to concede a corner. Roselea replied and a dangerous free kick from Christie was cleared at the expense of a throw in. Reynolds then had another effort but was easily saved by Wands as Violet strived to open the scoring. In 22 minutes Chris Masson sent a great ball through for Miller to run in on goal, but the full backs shot would have been more at home at Murrayfield, going well over the bar. Clayton then made a great run down the right sending in a dangerous cross but no takers were in the penalty area. A heated incident between Miller and Neilson of Violet ended with Miller going down in theatrical circumstances but the referee took no action. Roselea were awarded a penalty in 34 minutes when Strachan sent Clayton clear on the right and his cross was handled in the box by Martin. Chris Masson put the goalkeeper the wrong way to put Roselea in front. Minutes later it was almost two, as Christie swung in a dangerous free kick and Whyte headed back across the area where Watson miskicked a good chance in front of goal. Violet responded just before half time as Neilson set up Ballantine, but shot weakly past from a good position. HALF TIME - VIOLET 0 ROSELEA 1 Wands was called into action early in the second half saving a Neilson header as Violet looked to get back in the game. Christie of Violet then beat two players before setting up Neilson who shot into the side netting as Wands closed him down. In 53 minutes Roselea should have been two up. Christie sent in a free kick, which Watson headed against the bar and Chris Masson hit the rebound straight at the goalkeeper. A further great chance for Roselea when Christie took another free kick and hit the bar himself this time only for Craig to knock the rebound wide. Roselea now seemed to have control of the game and a good move down the right ended with Craig just unable to reach the ball before the goalkeeper. McDonald of Violet played a good ball into the box and Neilson got to the ball before Wands but his effort went wide. A good effort from Reynolds with a 25 yards shot had Wands watching as it went narrowly past the post. The last chance of the game fell to Roselea when Croall sent Longmuir free on the left and his driven cross was just ahead of Simpson at the back post. FULL TIME - VIOLET 0 ROSELEA 1 A hard working confidence boosting win against tricky opponents and on a bumpy surface sets Roselea up for their league run in and forthcoming Cup Final. East Craigie is next opponents in a league double header firstly away on Wednesday night followed by at Broomfield Park on Saturday. Kick Off 2.30pm. Seats are still available on Supporters Bus for the Dugout Cup Final against Lochee Utd on 20th May at North End Park, Dundee. Contact Golf Inn for details.

Tayside Premier League Arbroath SC v Montrose Roselea Roselea made the journey to play Arbroath SC on Wednesday knowing that only a win would keep alive their chances of winning the league. The team was forced into a number of changes with Findlater, McKellar, Simpson and Strachan all missing. Roselea: McLeod, Craig, Whyte C. Masson, H. Smith, Keith(Forbes), Miller, Watson, Clayton, Page(Christie), Longmuir(P.Masson). Subs: Croall, Wands. ASC had the first serious attack of the game when Low got through on goal but McLeod saved his shot at the expense of a corner. In 15 minutes another good chance for the home side when McSkimming sent in a dangerous cross and Roselea just managed to clear from the inrushing Warren Another dangerous move for ASC as Low and Kenny linked up well and Kenny had a shot which went narrowly past the post. Roselea won a corner after good work by Longmuir set up Watson but the striker had his shot blocked and from the resultant kick the ball fell to Chris Masson whose attempt was also blocked. In 24 minutes Roselea took the lead. After some nice play from Watson, the striker played in Page, and as ASC appealed for offside, the midfield man coolly lobbed the keeper to open the scoring. Watson then dragged a shot wide of goal after good play from Clayton as Roselea were now settling into the game. In 35 minutes another good brake by Roselea ended with Watson’s low cross just evading Clayton at the back post. HALF TIME – ARBROATH SC 0 ROSELEA 1 Roselea started the second half brightly and a mix up in the ASC defence allowed Clayton a shot which went narrowly over the bar. At the other end Whyte headed the ball off the line after McLeod failed to hold an inswinging corner. Roselea had an escape when Miller lost possession, but McLeod made a good save at the expense of a corner. In 70 minutes Craig came close to adding to the lead when good play from Watson set him up but his controlled shot went narrowly past. Roselea were now looking threatening as every attack looked menacing, with Watson and Clayton giving ASC defence plenty problems. ASC goalkeeper Cormack had a lucky escape when Watson pounced on a short pass back but the keeper got the break of the ball and cleared the danger. McLeod was the called upon to make a good diving save from a header by Warren as ASC tried to rally. In 83 minutes excellent play from the impressive Page set up Watson and his drive went narrowly over the bar. Minutes later Roselea went two up as Miller and Craig combined on the right and when the cross came over Watson headed into the corner of the net. Roselea played out the last few minutes without alarm to record a good victory. FULL TIME – ARBROATH SC 0 ROSELEA 2 This was a vital win to keep pressure on fellow contenders for the league title as with only four fixtures left maximum points must be the target East Craigie is the next league opponents in a double header, firstly in Dundee on Wednesday then at Broomfield Park on Saturday. Kick Off 2.30 pm.

Challenge Cup Second Round Montrose Roselea v Kinnoull Saturday 22nd April Roselea entertained fellow title challengers Kinnoull in a Challenge Cup tie and with games coming thick and fast, manger Balfour took the opportunity to use his full squad, making seven changes to the starting eleven from midweek. Roselea: Wands, Miller, Whyte, Milne, Longmuir, K. Smith, Christie(Keith), Watson(Simpson), Forbes, Clayton, Croall. Subs: Craig, Page, Strachan. In an open start to the game, Clayton made a good run down the left but his cross drifted behind and at the other end Whyte made a good block as Kinnoull replied. In 15 minutes the dangerous Clayton had a good shot and Watson also had an effort saved by the keeper as Roselea tried to dictate the game. A number of players were then cautioned by the firm referee as both teams tried to impose themselves on the game. The dangerous Clayton again went on a run down the left but his final cross was dealt easily by Kinnoull defence. Watson then had a run before passing to Forbes who failed to get his cross in as Roselea’s final ball was letting them down. The wind was playing a major part and both teams left the field at half time with neither team having made a clear cut opening. HALF TIME ROSELEA 0 KINNOULL 0 Roselea started the second half on the attack and Whyte set up Forbes whose 30 yard drive went just over. Clayton then sent in a free kick which deflected of a defender and Watson hit the outside of the post from an acute angle. Another good move down the right ended with Miller’s cross just evading Watson at the far post The pressure finally told in 66 minutes when a long ball over the Kinnoull defence let Clayton in, and although impeded the winger kept his balance and slotted the ball past the outrushing keeper to put Roselea one up. Minutes later, the ever dangerous Clayton again went on a run before crossing to Croall, who controlled the ball before hitting a good shot and bringing a good save from keeper Mackie at the expense of a corner. In 79 minutes Kinnoull were awarded a penalty after Longmuir challenged an opponent in the box and although it looked a reasonably good tackle the decision was given and the penalty was converted to level the scores. Kinnoull then took the lead three minutes later when Roselea lost the ball just outside their penalty box and the ball was played to Holden who was given time to look up and curl his shot into the corner of the net. The game had now changed and it took a good save from Wands to stop Kinnoull extending their lead. Roselea tried to rally and it was left to Clayton again to try and rescue the game but his shot was well saved. FULL TIME ROSELEA 1 KINNOULL 2 On the back of a midweek draw, this was another game Roselea held a winning position before letting the opponents back into the game and eventually losing this one. It is back to league action on Wednesday night, away to Arbroath SC then followed by an away Findlay & Co Cup tie against Violet on Saturday. Kick Off 2.30 pm. A Supporters bus shall be running to the Dugout Cup Final against Lochee Utd at North End Park, Dundee on Saturday 20th May. Bus shall be leaving Golf Inn at approx 12 noon, Cost £5. Contact Golf Inn to reserve seats.

Tayside Premier League Forfar West End v Montrose Roselea, Wednesday 19th April. Roselea made one change from Saturday’s impressive display with Clayton replacing the unavailable McKellar. Roselea: McLeod, Craig, Whyte, H. Smith, C. Masson(Forbes), Keith, Clayton, Watson, Simpson, Strachan(P. Masson), Longmuir. Subs: Croall, Miller, Wands. West End had the early upper hand in the game but Roselea defence stood firm with any shots easily dealt with by McLeod. Roselea’s first real chance almost brought a goal as a Watson volley from a Craig cross brought a great save from West End keeper at expense of a corner. Both teams were finding it hard to dominate but Roselea broke the deadlock in 35 minutes. A long cross from Longmuir was misjudged by the keeper and Watson hooked the ball into the empty net. This settled Roselea who had a good attacking spell and a good move ended with Simpson shooting over the bar. A Longmuir free kick was just missed at the near post by Smith as Roselea tried to add a second before half time. HALF TIME WEST END 0 ROSELEA 1 West End started the second half strongly and had a few chances which McLeod in Roselea goal did well to keep out. Roselea increased their lead with a breakaway goal. Longmuir made a great defensive block and the ball broke to Craig, who sent Simpson on a run. The striker used his strength to evade tackles before slotting the ball home. The lead was short lived as West End scored from a scramble in the penalty area, as the ball was eventually played across the six yard box and knocked into the net by inrushing player with Roselea looking for offside. McLeod made a great save in 71 minutes touching a header away to keep the lead as West End were getting on top. West End equalised in 76 minutes from a penalty after Craig fouled his opponent from behind in the box. Both teams tried in vain to get the winner but the game finished with a share of the points. FULL TIME WEST END 2 ROSELEA 2 After holding a two goal advantage this must be considered points dropped in the race for the title and will need to get back to last Saturday’s encouraging performance for the vital run in.