A miserable run of results in 2008 meant that this match didn’t quite have the edge attached to it that the Aberfeldy support would have hoped for at the turn of the year. However, champions elect Roselea came up the A9 keen to take another step closer to the first division title as Breadalbane sought to regain some sort of form.

Manager Robertson welcomed back skipper Lee Veitch after a lengthy absence, but entered the tie deprived of his three top scorers – Price, Carr and da Silva. Undaunted, the coach put out an attacking formation with Jacobs, Jamieson and Makaskill all in forward positions, in the hope of unsettling the opposition defence.

And the tactic seemed to work well in the early stages as Breadalbane more than matched their opponents without creating many clear cut chances – a Jacobs header that clipped the bar being their best effort of the half.

Instead, it was the Perth side who led at the break, scoring with their first real chance when Crockatt slid in at the far post to meet a right wing cross that had eluded the home defence.

It had undoubtedly been a much improved performance from the home side, though, who went into the second half hopeful of a deserved equaliser. They were let off the hook early on, however, when Scrymgeor rounded Menzies and squared to strike partner McLaren, who contrived to sclaff his close range effort wide of the unguarded goal.

Breadalbane kept pushing hard for the elusive equaliser, but lacked a real cutting edge, though the introduction of Laing and Carr added some extra energy to the performance.

It was Roselea, though, who showed the home side the route to goal. This time it was Scrymgeor who clipped home from a right wing cross to double the visitors lead.

Breadalbane remained resolute, however, and set up a grandstand finale when McAdam pounced from close range after Carr’s free kick effort was parried by the Perth keeper.

Try as they might, though, it was not to be Breadalbane’s day and for the third time this season came away from a match with the Perth side with plenty of ifs and buts, but no points. There was much to encourage Robertson, though, after recent results and with the return of his missing strikeforce, he will enter the forthcoming battle for second place with some renewed confidence.

Breadalbane:
Menzies, I Robertson, McAdam, Veitch, Cromb (MacDougall), Klatschak (Laing), Dewar, Smith, Jamieson, Jacobs, Makaskill (Carr)

Subs (not used): D Robertson