Montrose Roselea: Latest News: ROSELEA HANG ON TO GAIN FIRST VICTORY

The real season started for Roselea on Saturday when Arbroath Vics visited Broomfield Park for a DJ Laing Cup game that also in included Arbroath SC and Brechin Vics in the section.

The home side was without the injured Rae and Page but added new players Mark Fotheringham from Arbroath Vics and Connor Brown from Montrose Under 19’s to their squad.

Roselea: McLeod, Mustard, Graham, Whyte, Doug Craig, McKellar, Fotheringham, David Craig, Kennedy(Kerrigan), Riach(Brand), Watson(Longmuir). Subs: Miller, Brown, Strachan.

Both sides started aggressively and created openings in the first ten minutes but neither side troubled the goalkeepers.

It was away keeper Duncan that was to be first to be called into action having to turn a McKellar shot round the post after good set up play by Fotheringham.

Duncan was again called into action having to dash from his line to save from Fotheringham as Roselea began to have more of the possession.

Watson was next to try his luck as he latched on to a Mustard pass and after evading his marker hit a shot across the goal which went narrowly wide.

In 25 minutes the same combination came close for the home side as striker Watson hooked his shot narrowly over from a Mustard centre.

After Whyte was cautioned for Roselea the deadlock was finally broken with Kennedy sending in a low cross and RIACH hit a right foot volley into the corner of the net to put Roselea in front.

The visitors had a great chance to level matters when Watson sent Paul Durno through on goal but he scooped the ball over the bar.

Roselea made the most of their let off as in 41 minutes the lead was extended. An excellent flowing move involving Doug Craig, Kennedy and Watson saw the ball set up for Riach who hit a 25yard shot which keeper Duncan could only parry and WATSON pounced to make it 2-0.

The last chance of the half fell to Arbroath Vics when Low made a good run and it took a last ditch tackle from Graham to stop the attack and keeper McLeod dived to gather the loose ball.

HALF TIME – ROSELEA 2 ARBROATH VICS 0

The home side quickly extended their lead in the 51^st minute when Riach was upended 25 yards from goal. The ball was touched to WATSON who fired past the wall and inside the post to make it 3-0.

It was not long after that the lead was reduced as a pass was played through the centre of the Roselea defence and Arbroath’s WATSON shot past McLeod from the edge of the penalty area.

Before the game could restart Roselea made a couple of changes with Kerrigan and Longmuir sent on to replace Watson and Kennedy.

The change almost paid dividends immediately as Riach sent in a deep cross only for Kerrigan to see his header rebound from the bar and cleared to safety.

The visiting striker’s were continuing to cause problems with McLeod having to rush from his goal to clear from Watson.

Mustard was then called upon to clear a goal bound shot as Roselea were finding it difficult to cope with the dangerous breaks.

The home side made their final change when the hard working Riach was replaced by Brand.

David Craig was then cautioned in centre field after a tackle and appearing to speak out of turn.

The cross bar came to Arbroath Vics rescue again as this time Doug Craig took a free kick which deflected off the wall but the ball rebounded to safety.

Whyte was next to try his luck but his header from a Longmuir cross looped over the top as time began to run out.

In 89 minutes the away side reduced the arrears to 3-2 with PEARSON springing clear and lobbing the ball over McLeod from the edge of the penalty box.

Roselea were forced to hang on for quite a number of minutes injury time due to casualties throughout the second half.

Match Sponsors Golf Inn FC chose David Craig as their Man of the Match.

FULL TIME – ROSELEA 3 ARBROATH VICS 2

Roselea looked to have the game comfortably won but a spirited fight back made the home side have to hang on for the final minutes.

The DJ Laing Cup continues this Saturday (15^th August) with an away section game against Arbroath SC. Kick Off 2.30pm. This is then followed by a home game against Brechin Vics on Saturday 22^nd August. Kick Off 2.30pm for which hospitality can be arranged by calling Roy Gill on 07908763219.