Rose Cruise Through to Round  Five

Bonnyrigg Rose comfortably saw off the Scottish Cup challenge of Bellshill Athletic before a big crowd at a sunny, if cold, New Dundas Park today

Credit must go to Rose officials who ensured that this 4th Round Junior Cup tie beat the big freeze at the second time of asking, by covering the pitch. The pitch itself was in excellent condition and perfectly playable.

Bellshill Athletic arrived as leaders of the Central District First Division League  ( essentially the third tier of Junior football in the west) and  boasted an impressive record this season with only one league defeat coming in their first league match back in August.  In this season's Scottish they have accounted for Grantown FC and Downfield FC from Dundee.

Rose have recovered from a poor start to the season and are comfortably in the top half of the  East Super League. In this season's Scottish Cup their successes were against Inverness City FC, Tayport FC and Edinburgh United. 

Playing down the slope, Rose were quick to take the initiative and in their first attack, Thomson shot just wide. After 7 minutes Archibald failed to take advantage of a goalmouth scramble and the same player fired an overhead kick just over a minute later. Next Court had an effort on target and then he shot just wide.

After 13 minutes Rose should have taken the lead when Hislop had a free header from a Archibald corner,  but he flashed his effort wide. Next the dangerous King ended a fine fun by firing over. After 20 minutes a Beaton free kick stung the palms of Cowie in the away goal and caused the keeper to fumble. It was a sign of things to come and when Hislop flicked on a header from a Hamill cross,  the keeper failed to stop what looked like a straight forward effort and Rose had the lead.

Bellshill were standing back and letting the home side dominate,  but in 28 minutes they did produce some good interplay but Selkirk's effort was blocked.

However, Rose continued to  dominate and after 35 minutes the dangerous Archibald produced a fabulous cross which Court dived to meet and his header gave Cowie no chance. 2-0 and Rose were well worth it !

As half time approached Rose looked certain to score again with chances for Hislop, King and Srewart but the couldn't add to their tally.

There was nearly a sting in the tale for Rose however, when after 44 minutes a fine run down the left allowed Holmes a shooting chance, but he smashed his effort against the frame of the goal with debutant goalkeeper Grant, well beaten.

Half Time  Bonnyrigg Rose 2; Bellshill Athletic 0

There were no changes at the break.

Bellshill started the half in determined mood and in their first attack Connelly fired over. After 52 minutes the visitors looked certain to pull a goal back but Connelly fired his shot against the bar - the second time the victors had struck the frame of the goal!

Rose weathered the storm and in 58 minutes added a third. Another fine Archibald cross found Hislop, who had been a thorn in Athletic's side all afternoon, and his crisp header gave Cowie no chance.

The tie looked settled but after 61 minutes, Bellshill gave themselves a lifeline when Dolan fired home a fine 25 yard free kick.

The visitors started to throw men forward but paid the penalty when Rose broke out and Hislop crossed for, man of the match, Archibald to score. 4-1 to Rose and certainly no way back for the visitors now.

The game continued to flow from end to end and both sides created chances, but there were no more goals.

Rose deservedly go into the last 16 along with Fauldhouse United and Musselburgh who had fine away victories. The remaining ties featuring teams from the East Region are scheduled for Saturday 31st January weather permitting.

Best for Rose were Archibald and Hislop whilst Hamill looked accomplished in his deep lying role - King was always lively. For Athletic Holmes was lively.

Full time: Bonnyrigg Rose 4 ; Bellshill Athletic 1 

Teams

Bonnyrigg Rose
Grant, Archibald, Beaton, Hamill, Wilson, Horne, King, Stewart, Hislop, Thomson and Court
Subs McLeish, Brown, Whitson, Woodburn and Easton

Bellshill Athletic
Cowie, Tart, McKee, Nicol, Souter,  Ferguson, Dolan, McGarth, Connelly, Selkirk and Holmes
Subs McGinty, McGarry, Shaw, McKay and Donnelly

Referee
Scott Lambie, Assistants  Emma Hingant and Lewis Hogarth

Gordon Baird  Neutral Reporter