Roselead return with well earned three points

There were pre-match doubts about Roselea’s game at the Pleasure Park, which is known to be very wet at the best of times, but the game went ahead on a very soggy pitch.

After a one-minute silence for the late Walter Smith was observed, play got under way.

Roselea got off to a flyer when they took the lead on five minutes.

David Beedie sent in an inswinging free kick which Jo Reoch headed home.

Roselea doubled the lead just five minutes later when C Watson and Garnham combined well.

Garnham’s shot came back off the base of the post but fell perfectly to Dylan McDonald who shot high into the net from eight yards.

Maud got back into the game on 28 minutes after a spell of pressure when Debembe deflected shot deceived McCormack.

The pitch was really cutting up in the second half, especially around the middle and made for a scrappy start.

Luckily no further rain and a drying wind prevented any thoughts of an abandonment from the official.

Bailey had a long range effort well held by Barbour in the home goal.

C Watson then had two chances but the conditions seemed to slow down his shooting as Roselea searched for the decisive third goal.

On 69 minutes, after a string of scrambles in the Maud penalty box, McDonald squared and Greig was unlucky with his backheel.

Roselea finally got the third goal on 73 minutes which was ground out by sheer determination from Calum Watson.

He challenged keeper Barbour for a high ball which the goalie spilled, allowing Watson to poke the ball home from a tight angle.

The ball looked as if it had been cleared off the line but with the referee, who was right up with play, adjudged that it had crossed and awarded Roselea the goal.

Roselea just had to see things out but they made the last few minutes more nervy when they conceded a very unnecessary penalty.

The ball was gathered safely by McCormack but, inexplicably, Reoch sensed danger and obstructed Debombe in the box.

The referee correctly awarded a penalty.

Walker stepped up and hit his spot kick well.

McCormack was very unlucky as got a good hand to it but the sheer power took it high into the corner of the net.

Roselea sent on Mitchell for McDonald and Davidson for Greig to freshen things up and ensure that they closed out the game well.

The win takes Roselea up to a creditable seventh in the league considering the tough start that they had.

This sets up next weeks trip back up the A90 to Ellon United who sit in second bottom spot, three points behind Maud with two games in hand.

It will be another testing game for Roselea who will aim to put some daylight between themselves and those behind them.

Kick off at the Haughs is 2pm.

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