MONTROSE ROSELEA 1 FORFAR UTD 1
MCBOOKIE.COM MIDLANDS LEAGUE
SAT 13TH APRIL 2024

Roselea were at home for their 36th League game of the season against Forfar Utd. The sides met in Forfar in November and in a strange match Roselea came back from 3-0 down to win 5-3. Roselea were yet again struggling personnel wise with a few players missing for various reasons and 5 trialists were drafted in including ex keeper Gregor Tweed who filled the vacant goalkeeper position with Kyle Irvine recalled to parent club Banks o Dee. Jack Gribben made a welcome return from injury and Morgan Smith from working away and Matthew Salmon also started the match at right back.

The wind had not died down from the morning and just as Kick Off went ahead a traditional April shower soaked the players and any fans not under cover.

Roselea: Tweed, Salmon, Davidson, Gribben, Soutar, Martin, Jamieson, Bailey, Morgan Smith, Mitchell & Duff. Subs: Watson, Thomson, Davidson, Masson, Greig, McKenzie & Massie

Roselea made a positive start with the wind advantage. Jamieson sent Martin down the line in 2 minutes and his low cross gave Shaw in the goal something to think about
Forfar Utd hit back and Bells shot was well saved by Tweed in the Roselea goal in 7 mins.
In 16 minutes Mitchell senf in a corner which was met by Jamieson at the front post but was deflected behind for another corner.
In 25 minues a cross caused confusion in the Roselea box and Gribben and Salmon almost combined to score an own goal with the ball fortunately going behind for a corner.
A great ball from Bailey in 28 minues sent the dangerous Martin away down the wing and his early cross was just missed by Davidson & Duff. Mitchell then sent in another dangerous cross which was well defended and turned out for a corner as Roselea piled on the pressure
In 31 minutes Salmon forced a good save from Shaw following a corner
In 42 minutes Jamieson put a good ball inside the full back and Duff just failed to hit target from Martins early cross
Roselea had edged the first half and went in one up at the break with a goal in 43 minutes. Soutar picked the ball up on the left and sent in a long cross that JAMIESON met with with a controlled volley to open the scoring.

HT Montrose Roselea 1 Forfar Utd 0

Roselea were up against the wind in the second half but the feeling was that the ball might hold up to get behind the Forfar defence.
Roselea had the first chance of the half in 50 minutes when Bailey sent in a free kick but Jamiesons header went over the bar.
In 54 minutes Gribben and Salmon seemed to think that each other was dealing with the ball and let Debembe in but he was thwarted by a great save from Tweed
Tweed then had another couple of great saves in the space of a minute as Forfar Utd turned up the pressure on Roselea
In 65 minutes Greig replaced Mitchell
Martin had a great run in 71 minutes and Shaw pulled off a great save again to keep the away side in it.
In 76 minutes Gribben played a great ball through to Grieg however Shaw was again up to the challenge and frustrated Roselea yet again
Forfar Utd were understandably having the upperhand without creating any chances but they got a deserved equaliser in 78 minutes when BELL latched on to a half clearance and lashed a great volley home from 20 yards
Martin had switched wings and he sent in a great left footed cross which was just missed by the inrushing Duff and Greig in 82 minutes
In 83 minutes Martin battled well for the ball and shot low with his shot just missing the target by inches
Forfar Utd had an excellent chance for the 3 points when Tweed came to punch and in a rare error for his afternoon the ball spun to Mcaulay who managed to shoot over from 6 yards with an open goal
Roselea made a final double sub in 86 minutes with Davidson & Mckenzie replacing Jamieson & Salmon

FT Montrose Roselea 1 Forfar Utd 1

This was yet another frustrating afternoon for Roselea as their second half to the season continues to disappoint after the promising first half. Lack of key players has been a big issue. Credit to both sets of players however to play in such trerrible conditions is always difficult and they put on a decent show considering. Top performers for Roselea were Martin who was always dangerous, Tweed who had a great game back in goals and Salmon at right back who also had a great game ahead of his years.

The draw and other results see Roselea slip to 7th in the table from 5th and it looks likely that a top 10 finish will be their best outcome at the moment.

Next week Roselea are on their travels to Dundee to face East Craigie at 2.30pm then it is back to Links Park to face Scone Thistle on April 27th in their final match of the season.

https://www.scottishjuniorfa.com/east-region/league-table/

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