Montrose Roselea book their semi-final place

For the 2nd week in a row Roselea were in McLeman cup action, this time in a quarter final tie against East End at Links Park. The visitors arrived on a high after last week’s victory over league champions Banks of Dee so a close run affair was expected. Roselea were without Bailey (Suspension), Thomson and McCormack (Injury). A minutes silence was held before the match for Bill Cruickshank (Islavale) and Jim George (Banks o Dee, East End & Stonehaven) two Junior stalwarts who sadly passed away in the last week.

After a slow start by both teams the game burst into life in 9 minutes when a free kick into the box was cleared by the home defence only as far as Connor Wood who picked the ball up around 30 yards out who took a couple of touches before sending a curling shot into the top right corner giving Tweed in the home goal no chance. Before the visitors had a chance to settle on their lead Roselea were back in the game within minutes. A long clearance from Tweed sailed over the top of the East End defence and Callum Watson ran onto a bouncing ball and lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net. Roselea then had a great opportunity to take the lead when Beedie sent another ball in behind the visitors defence and C Watson’s shot from 15 yards was blocked well by keeper Wilson and then Garnham sent the rebound over the top from 6 yards. Midway through the half a long throw-in from Greig on the right was headed on by C Watson and Garnham’s header from close range was well saved by Wilson. East End went close in 23 minutes when a great curling free kick rattled the bar. Right on the half time whistle East End were reduced to 10 men when Greig homed in on goal but was pulled back by Odlin who had already been booked.

HT 1-1

The visitors went close in the 1st minute of the 2nd half when Wood done well on the right and sent the ball to the box which was picked up by Chouman whose shot from 10 yards came off the outside of the post. In 67 minutes Roselea suffered the same result when C Watson sent a low free kick in from the left which was deflected onto the outside of the post. East End then had a great chance in 72 minutes when Wood sent in a great ball from the left but Chouman miss timed his header from 4 yards out. With only 10 minutes remaining Roselea made a tactical change to go 3 at the back. Soutar, Greig and Stephen were replaced by Davidson, Mitchell and Jamieson. The change paid off in the last minute of the game when Roselea snatched a vital winner. Beedie swung in a corner from the left beyond the back post where Reoch headed back goal wards and Callum Watson bulleted a header into the net.

This sends Roselea through to a semi-final home tie against either Banchory St Ternan or Banks o Dee which is not due to be played until Weds May 4th (subject to change). Credit goes to East End who certainly didn’t sit back when playing the 2nd half with 10 men and they certainly contributed to a very entertaining game. Roselea play East End again next week when they travel to New Advocates Park for their penumtimate League match before finishing the League campaign at Colony Park the following week. That will leave the long wait for the Mcleman Cup Semi Final.