Bonnyrigg Slump to third home defeat

Linlithgow Rose were the visitors to New Dundas Park for a McBookie East Super League fixture. The home team had lost their two previous home matches and despite a win at Ballingry last week, were desperate for league points. Linlithgow were also keen to return to winning ways having started slowly this season.


There was an excellent crowd on a fine afternoon and the strong wind, that had been blowing earlier in the day, had subsided.

The home team were first on to the attack with Carse prominent and a good cross gave McLeish a headed chance, but his finish was poor.

The visitors settled quickly after this scare and with Nelson prominent, they began to dictate the play. Roddy MacLennan was a constant threat and he was finding loads of space on the Bonnyrigg right hand side. He continually cut in and created shooting chances for himself. The busy Nelson fired wide and then, from a free kick, shot over.

At the other end Bonnyrigg almost scored after King was put in unusual circumstances. A Linlithgow throw in found him in space, but he couldn't find a finish.

Linlithgow kept probing down their right and when MacLennan again found his way into the box,  his cross was turned into his own net by Bonnyrigg's White. 17 minutes on the clock and 1-0 to the visitors. It was nearly two a few minutes later, but trialist Easton in the home goal pulled off a fine save to deny Kelbie.

Bonnyrigg then enjoyed a good period of play and Grady had a couple of half chances but Bonnyrigg carried no cutting edge up front.

Linlithgow were dominating in midfield and should have added to their tally but they too couldn't finish their chances.

Half Time Bonnyrigg Rose 0 ; Linlithgow  Rose 1

Bonnyrigg brought on Murray in place of King at half time and moved Horne to right back and Smith into midfield.

However, Linlithgow went further ahead five minutes into the second period. Bachelor played in the prolific Coyne who thumped home the visitors second, giving home keeper Easton no chance. 

Both teams made changes and Bonnyrigg introduced a Evans ( another trialist!) in an attempt to get back into the game. In looked like it had worked as Grady sprinted through only to be flagged offside.

After 69 minutes Hislop had a chance as he robbed a defender but when his effort rebounded, substitute Whitson blazed wide. Bonnyrigg took heart from this and won two corners. From the second of these, the ball struck the crossbar after a melee in the Linlithgow area.

Linlithgow seemed happy to run the clock down, but were stunned after 87 minutes when a shot cum cross from Evans eluded Mckinven and gave the homsters a lifeline.

However, despite frantic efforts from Bonnyrigg there were no more goals and the game ended with a deserved win for the visitors.

Best for Linlithgow were Nelson in midfield and Roddy MacLennan upfront - particularly in the first half. Their back four were very solid. Bonnyrigg were well served by captain Archibald and Horne.

Final Score: Bonnyrigg Rose 1; Linlithgow Rose 2

It transpired after the match that Bonnyrigg Manager Max Christie resigned. It's been a tough start for Rose and this latest defeat deepens the crisis. However, they have been beset by injuries to key players and have faced a difficult fixture list. The club have put Hislop, White  and Archibald in charge until a new manager is appointed.

Gordon Baird  Neutral Reporter