Punchless Star go down to Derby Day defeat

Despite having a great deal of the ball and good attacking positions, Newtongrange Star didn't test Bonnyrigg goalkeeper Grant on too many occasion and their lingering hopes of Super League success were finally ended by their local rivals.

Fresh from their fine win over fellow Championship rivals Bo'ness United, Newtongrange Star took on local rivals Bonnyrigg Rose, knowing that they had to win to keep any slim hopes of the championship alive. The teams drew earlier in the season at Newtongrange and despite Rose's poor run of form recently, this fixture always presents a difficult challenge for the visitors. Both sides were hit by suspensions,  with Rose missing Joe Hamill and Star without Kris Renton and Gary Cherrie and the injured Chris King. Additionally, Hislop who has joined Arbroath as assistant manager, was a major loss for Rose.

There was a good crowd in attendance to see Hoskins fire in a harmless free kick in the first real action of the game. Next McLaren made a good run and shot wide. Next from a Rose corner Hoskins headed over as it was all the home team.

In Stars first shot at goal, Cropley shot well wide from long range, as the visitors tried to get a foothold into the game.

After eleven minutes Renton in the visitors goal made a good stop from McLaren.

After twenty minutes a misplaced pass by Wilson was intercepted by Thomson who played in King but he blasted his shot past the post. This signalled a period of dominance for the visitors and Cropley again shot wide.

However, the game changed dramatically after 29 minutes when Rose were awarded a penalty given for handball against Tolmie. McLaren stepped up and gave Renton no chance from the spot.

Star seemed galvanised by this loss and Thomson was putting in some good work on the right hand side. From one of his crosses Star had their best chance of the half, but Grant pulled off a fine double save from Dunn's header and follow up.

At the break the scoreline was just about right but the second promised to be an important forty five minutes in Star's  season.

Half Time : Bonnyrigg Rose 1; Newtongrange Star 0

No changes at the break.

The pattern of the second half became quickly established - Star seeing a lot of the ball but Rose dangerous on the counter through Archibald and Thomson.

Star's Thomson was prominent on the right once again and from one of his many crosses, King improvised well but didn't test the keeper.

After 61 minutes, Star were caught out by a quick break from the home team. Whitson played the ball to Archibald who drove into the box before calmly cutting the ball back to Thomson, up in support, and the striker fired home with Renton helpless.

Star kept pushing forward and with ten minutes remaining almost got some reward. King got on the end of a through ball and his delicate chip brought out a fine save from Grant.

Star's slim hopes were all but ended five minutes later when Noble saw red for a bad tackle although it did seem a little harsh.

Rose saw the game out and might have added a third right at the end when McLaren pulled out a fine save from Renton.

Best for Rose were man of many positions, Archibald and the whole defence. Star were indisciplined with four yellow cards and a red - Thomson once again looked a top player.

This loss ends Star's title hopes but shouldn't disguise the fact that they have had a fine league campaign and might well improve on last years fourth spot. Rose are rebuilding and are inconsistent, but this result will give them encouragement as they were down to the bare bones squad wise .

Star visit Camelon in the Fife and Lothians Cup on Wednesday and Carnoustie visit them next Saturday in the league,  while Bonnyrigg go to Linlithgow in the battle of the Roses at the weekend.

Full Time : Bonnyrigg Rose 2; Newtongrange Star 0

Teams
Bonnyrigg Rose : Grant, Wilson, Brown, Stewart, Woodburn, Hoskins, Horne , Whitson, Archibald, Thomson and McLaren Subs Court and Easton
Newtongrange Star : Renton, McManus, Deland, Tolmie, Dunn, Noble, Jamieson, Gillon, King, Thomson and Cropley  Subs Wilson, Kerr, Swaney and Amos

Referee Gavin Thomson

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter