Colony Park (H) NSL

MONTROSE ROSELEA 3 COLONY PARK 3
MCBOOKIE.COM NORTH REGION SUPERLEAGUE
SAT JULY 31ST 2021
Roselea were looking to bounce back after two tough matches against Bridge of Don and Banks o Dee which resulted in two losses. The Banks o Dee one was particularly tough but the second half performance gave some hope for the future. Gregor Tweed remained in goals with Kade McCormack still injured and Joe Reoch returned from holiday and replaced Ryan Taylor in the centre of defence with Fraser Jamieson starting up top for Fergus Alberts.
Roselea: Tweed, McDonald, Soutar, Reoch, Stephen, Greig, Beedie, Thomson, Davidson, Watson & Jamieson. Subs: Kelly, Airens, Bailey, Alberts, Gill & Taylor
After a very even opening Killoh had the first attempt on goal in 10 mins but his shot was straight at Tweed who was never troubled.
Henderson of Colony picked up a nasty looking ankle injury and had to be replaced by McKenzie.
Colony Park took the lead in 12 mins when following a corner Killoh sent in a great ball which Roselea didn’t defend well and HALLIDAY volleyed home unmarked.
In 15 minutes visiting keeper Mackie was lucky to stay on the pitch when he came out of the side of the 18 yard box and handled whilst challenging Jamieson but was mighty relieved to just see a yeallow card. From the free kick Thomson sent in a low ball which Greig just failed to connect with.
Beedie had a low shot well saved from Mackie and then he pulled off a great save from a close in Reoch header then Soutar had another header from a corner well saved by him.
Beedie again had a low shot but it lacked power and Mackie did not have to be so heroic this time in 32 mins.
Roselea were piling on the pressure to get back in the game and Greig went very close with a front post scoop that went just over from a low Davidson cut back.
Tweed was twice called into action before the half drew to a close when he headed an attach clear then had to make up for a poor kick which was heading straight for the empty goal and he somehow scrambled back to save and gather the loose ball.
HT Montrose Roselea 0 Colony Park 1
Roselea made a change at HT with Kelly replacing McDonald who had picked up an injury and they also changed the formation to a more attack minded shape.
This paid off just 5 minutes into the second half when they equalised. Davidson did really well to get to the byeline and when the loose clearance fell to Calum WATSON there was only one place the ball was ending up.
It was to get better for Roselea 5 minutes later when this time Greig got to the byeline on the left and a great run and finish from DAVIDSON saw them take a 2-1 lead.
Roselea then had a great chance to make it 3-1 when they were awarded a penalty when a defender needlessly dived in to Calum Watson and although of the soft variety there was little arguments from the visitors. Watson struck a decent penalty into the corner but Mackie dived at full stretch to turn round the post.
Roselea had another in 63 chance when Watson was dragged to the ground on the half way line but the referee played a good advantage and Alberts power got him clear however his left footed shot lacked punch and the chance was wasted. Interestingly Cheyne did not pick up any penalty for the rugby tackle.
Roseleas lack of clinical finishing caught up with them in 70 minutes when Colony Park equalised when a high ball into the box was not dealt with and MORRISON pounced to stab home.
2 minutes later Thomson was desperately unlucky to see his shot come off the inside of the post and out to safety.
Things got worse for Roselea in 79 minutes when Colony Park went back in front for the second time. A cross came in and MCKENZIE was well placed to head home.
In a ding dong game Roselea equalised in 84 minutes and it was a great Joe REOCH header from a Greig corner that drew them level.
Both teams had further chances and would probably both claim to have done enough to win but the best one came when Alberts raced clear and with Watson and Thomson in support he elected to try and drag the ball into a position to shoot only to over run the ball to the dismay of his colleagues,
Full Time: Montrose Roselea 3 Colony Park 3
Although this would have been a great game to watch for the neutral both teams will be disappointed by some of the defending and spurned chances with Roselea probably creating more only to find an inspired goalkeeper in their way. Mackie had a great game for the visitors with 2-3 top saves although Tweed was called into action a few times as well. Overall it was probably a fair result which sees Roselea move to 5 points after 5 games. The win leaves Roselea in 9th position in which is a tight league outside the top three at the moment.
Roselea are now on the road for two games firstly to Culter on Tuesday 3rd with a 7pm KO and then next Saturday at Sunnybank for a cup tie at 2pm. Next Tuesday 10th Stonehaven will be the visitors to Links Park in a Grill League Cup Section tie