Match Report- Hermes 4 Montrose Roselea 4 (Roselea win 5-2 on pens) Sat Oct 23rd 2021

HERMES V MONTROSE ROSELEA
DOMINOS PIZZA NORTH REGIONAL CUP
SAT 23RD OCT 2021

Roselea took a break from League business and travelled to Hermes for a North Regional Cup 1st Round tie. Roselea were on the back of three home wins and would travel with a bit more confidence than when the tie was due to be played which was one week after an 8-1 defeat to the same side in the League. That tie was postponed due to Covid issues in the Roselea camp and perhaps had a bearing on the result the week before. Hermes sat top of the North Region Superleague and had given Banks o Dee three close games with two close encounters in recent weeks.
Fergus Alberts was recalled by Huntly for their Scottish Cup tie at Stenhousemuir so missed out but Calum Watson returned to the squad along with Blair Stephen following suspension. Sam Garnham who transformed the Deveronside game the week before missed out due to a bout of Tonsillitis.

Roselea: Tweed, Stephen, Taylor, Reoch, Soutar, McDonald, Beedie, Bailey, Greig, Thomson & C Watson. Subs: Gill, Davidson, Robertson, Mitchell, Jamieson & McCormack

It was a good start from Roselea Bailey got a header away from a Watson cross 5 mins and was clattered just after with a penalty claim coming from some of those in green. Roselea continued to look sharp all over the pitch and were not allowing Hermes any time to settle on the ball.
Despite the great start it was to be 1-0 to the home team in 9 mins. McKENZIE sent in an inswinging corner and it was a personal disaster for keeper Tweed as he fumbled the ball into the net on his line.
There was a blatant hand ball from Hunter on the edge of the Hermes box which the referee decided was not intentional and as a result Roselea Manager Eric Watson picked up a yellow card for his protests.
There was a great move from a Roselea in 12 minutes when Watson crossed from the left and Thomson just failed to connect at the far post.
Despiet a very strong start from Roselea it was to be 2-0 in 25 moniues when CRAIG beat offside trap before drawing Tweed and sliding home. Roselea’s backline were adamant that he was well offside and Ryan Taylor was next in a string of bookings for dissent after he questioned the decision.
As if it couldn’t get worse Roselea for when they fell 3-0 behind in 27 minutes. Tait broke down the left after Stephen misjudged a Crossfield ball and although Tweed got a touch it fell perfectly to INNESS to tap home at the back post.
Things looked bad for Roselea who had actually started the game the stronger side and perhaps flashbacks of the 8-1 defeat were starting to slip into Roselea minds but they started an astonishing comeback.
Greig had a shot deflected off the outside of the post when everyone was ptrobably heading for another one ofnot their day however Blair STEPHEN then scored with a trademark bullet header to give Roselea a lifeline.
Roselea pulled back another in 38 minutes. THOMSON who was having another outstanding game won the ball back in midfield and passed to Liam Bailey who played a great reverse pass back to him and he slotted home with a low drive from 16 yards on the angle.
The comeback was complete a minute later when Thomson brought down by Hunter and Calum WATSON scored from the spot

HT Hermes 3 Montrose Roselea 3

Hermes went back in front in 55 minutes.Craig broke away looking offiside and was brought down at edge of box by Tweed who received a yellow card. Roselea were claiming offside and also that the challenge was outside the box. McKENZIE put kick in the corner of the net with Tweed almost getting a hand to it.
Watson went close with a lob which Simpson tipped over in 64 minutes as Roselea looked to get back in the game. Mcdonald volleyed wide form the resulting corner.
Roselea made a change in 72 minutes when they put 72 Davidson on for McDonald
Thomson and Watson went close for Roselea as they continued to try and force an equaliser.
Tweed tipped over from a Mckenzie header 75 as Hermes tried to seal the tie
Roselea finally drew level in 80 minutes when the ball broke in box to WATSON after a scramble and he shot low into the net.
Roselea had a great chance in 82 Thomson when a long ball put him in but his first time attempt was hurried when he perhaps had more time
Hermes had a chance themselves to clinch it in normal time to avoid the dreaded penalties
Roselea had one final chance when a Watson free kick beaten out for a corner by Simpson

FT Hermes 4 Montrose Roselea 4 (Roselea win 5-3 on penalties)

Penalties
Watson ⚽️.
Bailey ⚽️.
Stephen ⚽️.
Thomson ⚽️.
Beedie. ⚽️

This was a very well deserved win for Roselea with no failures in their side. They showed great character to come back from 3-0 down when many teams would have thrown the towel in and considering the 8-1 result from earlier on in the season. Roselea will now face Sunnybank away in the last 16 and will have an excellent chance to progress to the quarter final of the Cup.

Roselea now return to League action for a couple of weeks and they are again on their travels to Maud (2pm) and Ellon Utd (1.30pm)