Montrose Roselea: Latest News: DRAW FAIR AT NEWTONGRANGE

Roselea made their second trip of the season to the Lothians to face Arniston Rangers on the neutral venue of Newtongrange due to pitch works at Arnistons Ground. They were hoping to improve on the 3-1 defeat at Penicuik and were also hoping to be buoyed by the League Cup win over Lochee Utd the previous Sunday.

Roselea lined up: Mcleod, Reoch, Whyte, Graham, Longmuir, McKellar, Fotheringham, Rae, Kennedy, Kerrigan & Fraser. Subs: Riach, Brand, David Craig, Doug Craig, Mustard, Strachan & Miller.

Arniston opened the brighter side on a decent surface and Mcleod had to be out sharp to slide tackle Cunnison to prevent a chance inside 2 minutes. Arniston didn’t have to long to wait and inflicted some early pain on Roselea as Forster flicked home a corner unchallenged in 6 minutes. This was the early blow the travelling side did not need.

Roselea fought back and a Kennedy header was directed to Gary Fraser however his effort went just over. Another chance came to Fraser a minute later in the 8^th minute when a Longmuir cross was laid back from Kerrigan and the striker turned in the box to shoot but the home keeper Godfrey held well.

Roselea should have equalised in 10 minutes. Kerrigan and Fraser were linking well and again the experienced Kerrigan laid Fraser in. This time he sent the keeper the wrong way but somehow managed to hit the post from 8 yards out. In 18 minutes another Longmuir cross broke to Graham but he finished poorly considering it was on his stronger left foot.

Arniston were pegged back during the first 20 minutes before Mcleod again had to race from goal to slide into the speedy Howitt who threatended Roselea again.

Roseleas pressure finally paid off in 27 minutes with a well deserved equaliser. A Gary Fraser corner was met from 4 yards out by Ewan Graham who headed home and celebrated with the customary “baby” celebration in mark of his recent coming of being a father.

In 33 minutes Roselea were awarded a free kick and although not firmly struck, Godfrey let the ball squirm away and Whyte almost forced home a second. A minute later Mcleod had to tip an Arniston corner over the bar. In 37 minutes Mark Fotheringham had a great shot from 25 yards just wide of the post. Arniston had some pressure but in 42 minutes McKellar broke and his cross found Fraser and the ball broke to the keeper as he tried to control and shoot. Fraser was booked following the incident after clashing with the keeper. As the half drew to a close yet another chance for Roselea as Fraser turned and shot wide following a great run from Callum Rae when he could have laid the ball back to a colleague in a better position.

Half Time; Arniston 1 Roselea 1

Roselea opened the second half with Riach replacing Fraser. The pattern of the first half continued with Roselea winning a free kick in a central position a minute into the half. Ewan Graham sent in a great ball and Godfrey tipped over despite the ball being in the centre on the goals.

David Craig replaced McKellar in 59 minutes who was struggling to get any service in the wide position.

Arniston were gaining supremacy and Moriarity sent in a cross which Howitt looped over the bar from his head in 70 minutes. Howitt then had another two chances within 2 minutes and his second clipped the corner of the post and bar as Arniston probed for the winner.

Roselea had a rare break to the other end and the hard working Fotheringham had a claim for a penalty turned down as he broke into the box, the referee getting his decision correct. In 79 minutes Ellis had a great chance for Arniston after a defensive mix up between Graham & Reoch but Mcleod stopped him.

In 84 minutes Brand replaced Kennedy as Roselea sought to get the vital second goal. The substitution almost paid off and Roselea were unlucky as a refereeing decision went against them. Brand shot from 25 yards and Godfrey fumbled, Riach followed up and forced the ball past the keeper, Moriarity on the line appeared to lunge and handle the ball but the unsighted ref waved play on much to the annoyance of the Roselea players closest to the incident. Brand was booked for protesting too vociferously.

There was still time for Arnsiton to have one last chance when Ellis broke but the excellent Whyte slid and stopped him in his tracks. The match ended in controversy and flared tempers as Ellis slid into Craig two footed leaving the Roselea player writing in pain. The referee chose to show a yellow when perhaps a red was more fitting to the tackle.

Full Time: Arniston 1 Roselea 1

A proverbial game of two halves as Roselea dominated the first half with Arniston having the better of the second. Both Managers agreed a point each was fair and possibly a welcome one for Roselea on their travels. The penalty decision may have swung it Roseleas way but would perhaps have been an injustice. The home league game against Carnoustie Panmure on the 24^th takes even greater importance with both teams looking for valuable points.  Roselea get a break from League action again on the 17^th as they travel to Bankfoot to face them in the GA Cup 1^st Round. The important Carnoustie match is at home on Saturday 24^th October and the 2^nd Round of the Scottish Cup will see Dyce returning to Broomfield Park after last seasons 4^th Round tie which Roselea won after a replay. Hospitality is available for both matches and can be booked by contacting Roy Gill on 07908 763219 or roygill@thinkpositive.co.uk. There are still tickets available for the Ladies Dinner on October 30^th. The Montrose Football Lottery has not been won and the Jackpot stands at £1,050 for October 17^th.