Linlithgow Show Championship Credentials

Linlithgow Rose gained their first league win of the season and in the process showed that they are legitimate challengers for the McBookie East Super League title. The Prestonfield outfit put on a solid overall performance to frustrate a good home side who had lots of possession but failed to convert that into goals.

Linlithgow Rose were the visitors to New Dundas Park today to take on a Bonnyrigg Rose side buoyed by their midweek derby win against Newtongrange Star. The visitors started the season in indifferent form but remained unbeaten having drawn both their league fixtures.

There was a good crowd in attendance on a fine afternoon for football on a perfect pitch.

The game started slowly with both sides looking to gain the upper hand in the middle of the park and there was fully 14 minutes on the clock before Linlithgow's BATCHELOR had the first meaningful shot on goal - and that ended up in the back of the net! Bonnyrigg lost the ball in midfield and Batchelor struck a beautiful dipping shot which deceived Bauld in the home goal and slipped just under the bar.

The home side were stung into action and after some super work on the right by Turner, his cross was dummied by Gray and arrived quickly at the feet of McGachie. The big striker guided it goalwards but former Musselburgh keeper Adams, somehow kept the ball out.

As so often happens the game was livened up by the goal.

Tyrell capped a fine run for the visitors by cutting inside and firing in a shot. Next Triallist Gray had a header at the far post for the home side before Hoskins fired a free kick over and Turner tried a shot as the home team chased an equaliser.

After 28 minutes Linlithgow looked to have won a penalty but their claims were turned away by the referee - in the incident Bonnyrigg's Horne looked to receive a serious head knock was subbed to be replaced by McKenna. The home side reorganised and Captain Archibald moved into the back four.

Bonnyrigg were pressing hard and just before the break Kidd spotted keeper Adams off his line and tried an audacious effort from nearly half way which dropped just over - the big midfielder had scored a very similar goal in a pre season friendly against Tranent Juniors!


Half Time Bonnyrigg Rose 0; Linlithgow Rose 1

The home side started the second half well and put the visitors under real pressure. Hoskins was much in evidence, first shooting over and then heading wide from a Turner cross. The equaliser seemed certain to come but it was Linlithgow who got the second and killer goal.

On the hour mark Leiper created a shooting chance for Shirra. His effort was deflected for a corner. From the resultant kick Bonnyrigg failed to clear their lines and when the ball found its way to COYNE, he fired home.

A few minutes later Linlithgow's Gray looked to have added a third, but his effort was disallowed.

Bonnyrigg introduced Whitson and McLeod for Gray and Kidd in an effort to freshen up tired legs- three games in eight days is a big ask for part time players. However, their fate was finally sealed when striker McGachie received a second yellow for simulation with fifteen minutes remaining. The striker's  "dive" was very obvious although his first yellow was perhaps more contentious, given for raising his elbow in an earlier aerial challenge.

Two minutes later the home side's manager Horn also saw red !

Linlithgow played out the final ten minutes comfortably.

Best for the visitors were newcomers Gray and Adams with McKenzie solid at the back. Turner and Hoskins deserve mention for Bonnyrigg.

This was an entertaining game which perhaps turned in the space of two first half minutes - Linlithgow scoring and Keeper Adams denying McGachie's close range effort.

Both sides will have a big say in the destination of the championship and Bonnyrigg will play worse and win a lot of games.

Linlithgow entertain upwardly mobile Fauldhouse United looking to defend their unbeaten record (only they and Broxburn Athletic are now unbeaten in the Super League this season ) and build on this victory while Bonnyrigg go to near neighbours Penicuik Athletic in a match they will be desperate to win to keep in touch with the league leaders.

One small point to note is that their were no neutral assistant referees in the match which is disappointing for what was arguably one of the top Junior matches in the country yesterday !

Teams
Bonnyrigg Rose
Billy Bauld, Ross Archibald, Dean Hoskins, Jonathon Stewart, Ewan Moyes, Alan Horne, Gray, Andrew Kidd, Lewis Turner, Adam Nelson and Kieran McGachie subsDean Whitson, Conor Thomson, McLeod and McKenna

Linlthgow Rose
Ally Adams, Mark Tyrell,  Chris Gray, Joe Hamill, Jamie McKenzie, Colin Leiper, Blair Batchelor, Andy Shirra, Graham Weir, Tommy Coyne and  Ruari MacLennan  Subs  Kevin Kelbie, Jones, John Ovenstone, Gary Thom and Michael McKinven (GK)

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter