Athletic maintain winning run against shot shy Rose

Musselburgh won their eighth straight game at home against a shot shy Bonnyrigg who dominated for long periods but produced very little end product.

Bonnyrigg Rose were the latest visitors to Olivebank Stadium on East Super League business looking to avenge their opening day defeat by their local rivals Musselburgh Athletic. Both teams were coming off good Scottish Cup wins last week end against Bellshill Athletic for Rose and Rossvale for the home side. The sides sit comfortably in the top half of the league and are enjoying strong runs of form. To add spice to the event Musselburgh's long time manager, David McGlynn is now in charge of Bonnyrigg.

Both teams had players out through injury but Musselburgh gave a home debut to the experienced Darren Smith in midfield while Rose fielded new signing from Berwick Rangers,  Dean Hoskins, at the back.

The game started slowly with chances coming more from errors than good football. Rose dominated much of the possession but only Hislop carried any treat up front with Court only a peripheral figure. Sheerin was dangerous for Burgh and as usual looked to shoot at every possible opportunity.

On the half hour Rose took a lead that they just about deserved. After a goalmouth scramble the ball broke to debutant Hoskins who fired home past a helpless Walker.

Musselburgh took only 2 minutes to respond and when Turner got on the end of a through ball his tame shot eluded Walker - the keeper will feel he might have done better.

After 41 minutes Rose might have regained the lead but Thomson failed to find the target. It was to prove costly a minute later when Sheerin outmuscled Horne to get on the end of another through ball and his finish, past the advancing Grant, was as clinical as usual.

Perhaps against the run of play Athletic were in front but Rose errors were proving costly.

Half Time: Musselburgh Athletic 2, Bonnyrigg Rose 1

No changes for either side at the break and the game followed a similar pattern to the first half - Rose with the possession and Athletic looking the more dangerous.

Rose continued to create openings but wanted to walk the ball in rather than testing the goalkeeper. However after 70 minutes the home keeper showed that he was up to the job when he got up to the top right hand corner of his goal to make a great save from a well struck Thomson free kick.

Five minutes later and Rose should have been on level terms. Munro made a shocking error inside his own box,  but somehow Stuart failed with a header when he might have been better to shoot.

Once again it was to prove costly - almost immediately left back Martin met a Thomson cross at the far post to force the ball home off the goalkeeper.

Musselburgh were dangerous on the break now despite not seeing much of the ball and a few minutes later they added a fourth. Darren Smith curved a delicious through ball round defenders which goalkeeper Grant did well to an anticipate. However, his clearance ended up with Sheerin and with the keeper out of his goal, the ace hitman chipped the ball into the empty goal - a fine finish.

Late on Court forced a fine save from Walker but Rose were a well beaten side.

This was a typical local Derby with more effort than skill but Musselburgh deserved the points. They had the best player on show in Sheerin with Turner a close behind. At the back they were solid and once Hislop was substituted seldom looked troubled. Darren Smith showed all his experience and he will add to this Musselburgh side as he gets to know his team mates better.

Rose made too many crucial mistakes and the central defensive partnership of Horne and Hoskins looked like what it was - new!  Substitute McLeish looked tidy.

Full time : Musselburgh Athletic 4, Bonnyrigg Rose 1

Teams :
Musselburgh Athletic
Walker, Christie, Martin, Myles, Turner, Smith, Beveridge, Thomson, Sheerin, Wilson and Munro
Subs Hamilton, Ralton, Davie, Doig and Lee

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


Gordon Baird Neutral Reporter