Montrose Roselea

KINNOULL vsMONTROSE ROSELEA WHYTE & MCKAY TAYSIDE PREMIER LEAGUE 18/12/2004 Roselea travelled to Perth on Saturday to bring the curtain down on 2004. Despite a heavy overnight frost, Tulloch Park was in immaculate condition. Kinnoull were sitting on the top the table with an unbeaten league record, which stretched back to the tenth last game of the 2003/04 campaign. Kinnoull manager Scott Brown had stated in the match programme that this match was very much a 6 pointer even at this stage of the season. This was very much echoed by David Balfour at Roselea. Roselea travelled with a slightly depleted squad, with only 15 players available for a number of reasons. Chris Simpson took a place on the bench but was doubtful due to a hamstring strain. Dean Milne stepped in to breach gap left by the ill Chris Masson and James Mckellars timely return from offshore meant the blow of having Scott Findlater on a business golfing trip to Dubai was slightly lessened Roselea lined up in a 4-4-2 formation: John Wands, Matt Miller, Paul Whyte Paul Ross, Dean Milne, Kevin Crawford, Eric Watson, David Craig and James McKellar, Colin Page and Duncan Croall were upfront. The bench consisted of Lee Walker, Chris Simpson, Kevin Smith and Ross Mcleod. Roselea started slowly, however the first real chance fell to James Mckellar but he was closed down and his left footed effort went wide. Kinnoull should have taken the lead in 6 minutes when a cutback fell to their number 11 and he shot against the legs of John Wands. The first half took a turn for the worse in 8 minutes when Gardiners terrible lunge on Miller went unpunished. This unfortunately set the precedent for the first half and the referee had to let a few bookable offences from both teams go unnoticed as a consequence of this. From the resulting free kick Miller found Watson whose chested ball fell into the path of Colin Page and his effort was brilliantly turned over the bar with the Kinnoull keeper at full stretch. Kinnoull were having the upperhand in possession and as a result of this several free kicks and corners were conceded. On each occasion they threatened with a couple of offline clearances being required to prevent the opener. In 25 minutes Page again brought out the best in the Kinnoull keeper when he had to tip a free kick over the bar from a 25 yards, the ball again heading for the top corner. Kinnoull then broke to the other end and Gary Sweeny missed from a header when it looked easier to score. David Craig found himself in the book after following through on a tackle. He was very unlucky considering the amount and tenacity of some of the previous tackles being administered by both sides. Matt Miller and Eric Watson both joined Craig in the book for dissent within minutes of each other. John Wands then saved Roselea again in the 42nd minute when he had to block a point blank header from a corner. Page was then booked for simulation as he found himself in the clear with a possible shot on goal. Half Time: Kinnoull 0 Roselea 0 Roselea started the second half on a brighter note and Kevin Crawford had a curled effort just go over the bar. Page and Crawford then linked in 50 minutes and sent Croall through with the keeper to beat. Just like the previous week Duncans shot was parried into the air by the keeper and a defender managed to clear the ball off the line. The game was swinging from end to end and it was corners that were looking likely to produce the first goal. Both sides had chances cleared off the line with Eric Watson being particularly unlucky for Roselea. Colin Page then hit the bar with a free kick and Dean Milne went close with the rebound. In 58 minutes it looked as if Kinnoull had finally broke the deadlock but Gow pulled the ball past the post with the goal at his mercy. The chance was to haunt Kinnoull as Roselea took the lead on the hour. A poor kickout from the keeper found the feet of Eric Watson and after beating four players using both feet he unleashed an unstoppable drive low and hard past the keeper to make it 1-0 Roselea. In 65 minutes Whyte went close with a header and somehow the referee awarded Roselea a corner. Kinnoull then applied a lot of pressure much of resulting in corner kicks. John Wands had to make a couple of stops on his line to stop Kinnoull equalising. Roselea almost made it 2-0 in 70 minutes after a tremendous piece of football. Miller, Page and Mckellar outpassed the Kinnoull defence, McKellars cross found the head of Dunacn Croall and his header crashed against the crossbar. Yet more corners resulted in goaline clearances at both ends. Roselea ran the clock down in 89 minutes with Kevin Smith replacing Kevin Crawford. The referee added 5 minutes injury time as Kinnoull pressed but Roselea held out for a very deserved and important victory. Full Time: Kinnoull 0 Roselea 1 This match probably held more importance than a lot of the players probably thought and despite being under the cosh for a lot of the match they deserve all the credit in the world for their effort and discipline under very testing conditions. The match was more of a six pointer for Roselea than Kinnoull and the result not only opens up the league table but also shows the rest of the sides in the league that Roselea have continued where they left off the previous season. Roselea are now 3 points behind Kinnoull with 2 games in hand and with every side capable of beating each other the title race is wide open.

NEILSTON VS MONTROSE ROSELEA OVD SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP ROUND 3 04/12/2004 Roselea made the long trip to Glasgow on Saturday to face Neilston in the Scottish Junior Cup. Roselea had not progressed beyond the third round since 1999 and it would be a tough task to beat a team sitting in the top three of the Western Super League Division 1. Martin Christie was out with a hamstring injury, Eric Watson was away for the weekend and James McKellar was offshore. Longer term injury victims Hayden Smith, Paul Masson and Graham Walger were all out, however Chris Simpson travelled after taking part in a couple of friendlies. Chris has been out through injury for 2 years. The pitch was on a slight slope and was very heavy after some midweek rain. Roselea kicked off up the slope and against a swirling wind. Roselea changed from their familiar 4-4-2 formation to try and take advantage of Neilstons usual formation. John Wands lined up in goal behind a back four of Dean Milne, Chris Masson, Paul Ross & Paul Whyte, Matt Miller, David Craig & Kevin Crawford were the holding midfield three and Colin Page and Scott Findlater played just off of Duncan Croall. Lee Walker, Chris Simpson, Luke Myers, Kevin Smith and Ronnie Massie were on the bench. Roselea were as expected put under the cosh in the first 15 minutes and John Wands had to look lively to save from a Barry Lavety header during this spell. Roselea then switched back to their usual formation as Neilston had changed their formation from the previous week and started with a flat back four. Roselea had their first real effort in 20 minutes when Paul Whyte headed back to Chris Masson and his shot was well wide of the target. Roselea were under real pressure and it was almost a one-man defensive show from Paul Whyte with a series of blocks to hold Neilston at bay. In 25 minutes when it looked as if Roselea had weathered the storm, Neilston opened the scoring. Their number five evaded three challenges before spinning in the box and sending a low shot into the far corner, leaving Wands helpless. Roselea would have settled for 1-0 at half time and it was just on the stroke of the half that Neilston increased their lead. After a further spell of pressure the ball broke kindly to ex Scotland U21 star Barry Lavety and he managed to expertly chip the ball over Wands into the top corner. Roselea went in 2-0 down at the break and could have no grumbles about the scoreline. Half Time Neilston 2 Roselea 0 Roselea started the second half on a more positive nature and Scott Findlater started to get involved with a couple of strong runs. It was Neilston who threatened first and Lavety had a left footed volley well saved by John Wands. In 60 minutes Neilston made it 3-0. Colin Page lost possession in midfield after being crowded out and the ball broke to Barry Lavety. He split the Roselea defence with an excellent pass and the striker drew Wands and slid the ball past him. Roselea then had their best chance when a surging run from Findlater ended up with a tame left footed effort when he perhaps had time to advance further. Chris Masson then went close after flicking on a Colin page free kick. Roselea replaced Duncan Croall with Chris Simpson in 66 minutes. The big striker was making a welcome first appearance after 2 years on the sidelines with injury. Simpson almost made it dream comeback in 70 minutes when he bustled his way through and his left footed effort was deflected narrowly over for a corner. In 72 minutes Lee Walker replaced Dean Milne who was making his first appearance for 6 weeks. Luke Myers then replaced the tiring Kevin Crawford in 80 minutes. In 85 minutes the ever-willing Findlater snaked his way down the left and his cross was narrowly missed by Simpson and then Myers had his effort turned round for a corner. Final Neilston 3 Roselea 0 Summing up Roselea can have no grumbles about the scoreline and their performance the first 25 minutes apart was as good as could have been expected. They were beaten by a team who seemed to adapt to the conditions better. There were some great individual performances in the Roselea side with John Wands making several great saves, Paul Whyte making some brilliant tackles, David Craig & Matt Miller worked their socks off in midfield and it was great to see Chris Simpson making an impressive comeback on a tricky surface. The younger players who came on as substitutes will also savour their experience.

MONTROSE ROSELEA vs ASC TAYSIDE PREMIER LEAGUE 27/11/2004 Roselea faced near neighbours ASC in only their third Premier League match of the season. Heavy rain made the surface very tricky. Roselea lined up in a familiar 4-4-2 formation with a couple of changes from the previous match. Eric Watson moved up front with Kevin Crawford replacing him in midfield. Duncan Croall dropped down to the bench. James McKellar took over from the injured Martin Christie in midfield. Roselea: John Wands, Matt Miller, Paul Whyte, Chris Masson, Paul, Ross, David Craig, Scott Findlater, Kevin Crawford, Eric Watson, Colin Page, James McKellar. Subs: Kevin Smith, Lee Walker, Luke Myers, Duncan Croall & Ross Mcleod. Roselea went close in 3 minutes when a great run from McKellar set up Findlater but his shot went over from a tight angle. In seven minutes Findlater turned provider and his cross was met by Kevin Crawford but the keeper saved well. Roselea took the lead in 9 minutes, Paul Whyte took off down the left and his cross was blasted against the keeper by David Craig with Eric Watson following up to make no mistake with his right foot. Chris Masson had to make a couple of important tackles to prevent ASC from breaking. Masson set up another Roselea break and Eric Watson had a header excellently saved by the ASC keeper. ASC were coming more and more into the game, Scott Findlater receiving a booking for an infringement during this spell. Craig followed him into the book foe dissent. ASC then equalised in 39 minutes. A free kick was not properly cleared and the ball was forced into the net. Right on half time Craig hit the post for Roselea after a goalmouth scramble. Half Time Roselea 1 ASC 1 Roselea went 2-1 up on the hour mark. Some fine play from Kevin Crawford put Colin Page in with slide rule pass and Page made no mistake with his finish. Roselea almost increased their lead 2 minutes later when Eric Watson almost picked out Craig who was arriving at pace in the box. ASC made a couple of changes in 75 minutes. Roselea then went close after an Eric Watson header was blocked on the line by a defender with the rebound falling to Craig who failed to hit the target. ASC equalised in the 79th minute from the spot after Chris mason had brought down a striker. ASC then had a great chance to take the lead but only a great challenge from Paul Whyte prevented them. Disaster struck for Roselea with a minute remaining. A hotly disputed free kick was awarded and Sturrock scored with a great free kick to steal the points for ASC. Final Roselea 2 ASC 3 Manager David Balfour was obviously gutted by the result, as were all the players after a match that they seemed to be so much in control of. Although it does not help Jim Low of ASC admitted that a draw would have been a kinder result. This end a six match unbeaten run for the Lea and a win would have seen them going to third in the league table. North End have won the League Cup Section with a convincing win away to Broughty 3-0. Forfar West End will finish second ahead of Roselea on goal difference after winning 2-0 at home to Coupar Angus. Other league results: Scone 1 Elmwood 3 Blairgowrie 1 Kinnoull 2 This week Roselea travel to Neilston in the Scottish Junior Cup 3rd Round and only a top performance will see them coming away with a result. The bus will leave the Golf Inn at 8.30am with kick off being at 1.45pm. Martin Christie and Eric Watson are definite non-starters for Roselea.

DJ Laing Cup Section 4
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	North End	9	4	1	0	16	4	2	2	0	13	9	16	21
2	Forfar West End	10	3	1	1	16	7	3	0	2	14	10	13	19
3	MONTROSE ROSELEA	10	4	1	0	10	2	2	0	3	12	16	4	19
4	Broughty Athletic	10	2	0	3	8	10	2	1	2	6	9	-5	13
5	Kirrie Thistle	9	2	0	3	13	17	0	0	4	3	13	-14	6
6	Coupar Angus	8	1	0	2	7	10	0	0	5	2	13	-14	3

BROUGHTY ATHLETIC vs MONTROSE ROSELEA DJ LAING LEAGUE CUP SECTION 4 13/11/2004 Roselea travelled to Dundee to meet Broughty Athletic in their final DJ Laing Section Match. Both teams were in with a shout of qualification, however it would take a miracle to prevent North End from being the group winners. Roselea lined up in a 4-4-2 formation: John Wands, Matt Miller, Paul Whyte, Paul Ross, Chris Masson, Martin Christie, Eric Watson, David Craig and Scott Findlater, Colin Page and Duncan Croall. On the bench were, Kevin Crawford, Dean Milne, Lee Walker and Ross Mcleod. Roselea started the stronger of the two teams and had their first chance in 10 minutes when Croall shot over the bar following good work by Miller, Craig & Page. Roselea had the ball in the net in 15 minutes but it was ruled out by a refereeing error. Martin Christie was fouled and as Croall hit the back of the net with a volley the referee blew to award a free kick for the earlier infringement. Broughty had the best chance to take the lead in the 27th minute when a striker found himself in on goal after a defensive error. John Wands managed to narrow the angle and turned the ball out for a corner. Eric Watson found himself in the referee’s book when he skidded into a tackle. Roselea then had a good chance after a lung bursting run from Findlater gave Page an opportunity to shoot but he was blocked and laid the ball back to Martin Christie and his effort was deflected out for a corner. Roselea finally took the led in 40 minutes when Eric Watson sent a fine through ball to Scott Findlater who had beaten the offside trap. Findlater rounded the keeper and rolled the ball in with his left foot for his first goal of the season. Half Time: Broughty 0 Roselea 1 Findlater found himself in a similar position in 50 minutes, however this time he shot early and his effort went just wide of the far post. Good thinking by Eric Watson with a quickly taken free kick released Colin Page on the right, his cross was met by Martin Christie and a Broughty defender cleared off the line. In 75 minutes Roselea increased their lead. Substitute Kevin Crawford whipped in a cross which came back of the post and with the Broughty defence frozen Eric Watson followed through to score with a header. In 80 minutes John Wands had to be alert when a looping header almost deceived him, however he managed to scramble across his goal and turned the ball over for a corner. Roselea then replaced Martin Christie & Matt Miller with Luke Myers and Dean Milne respectively. The referee had a spate of unnecessary bookings in the second half with Craig, Miller and Page finding the book in addition to Watson’s earlier one. Final Score Broughty 0 Roselea 2 Roselea were well worth this victory, which sees them go back to the top of the table by 1 point from North End. North End have two remaining matches against Coupar Angus and Broughty away but it would be a major surprise if they don’t pick up at least 3 points from these two matches. To make matters worse for Roselea, Forfar West End are 3 points behind and with them having Coupar Angus to play at home along with the fact that they have a superior goal difference means that Roselea’s dream of a hatrick of League Cup wins should be over. Next week Roselea travel to East Super League side Oakley Utd in the Redwood Leisure Cup. Oakley are currently second bottom of that league and Roselea can count a previous Scottish Cup win in their favour. The bus is now leaving the Golf Inn at 10.30 with the players meeting at 10.00. Kick Off is at 1.45pm. Roselea have been drawn away to Neilston in the 3rd Round of the OVD Scottish Junior Cup. Neilston are second top of the Central League First Division and have only suffered one defeat in their 9 matches. They are managed by former St Johnstone and Partick Thistle player Sammy Johnston. Tie to be played on December 4th.