Lacklustre Rose - But They Go Top

Despite performing below their usual high standard, Bonnyrigg took a point from a hard working Broxburn team and move to the top of the McBookie East Super League for the first time this season.

Broxburn Athletic were the visitors to New Dundas Park this afternoon on McBookie East Super League business. The West Lothian outfit are having an inconsistent season and sit in the lower half of the table. Additionally, they have already been eliminated from the Scottish Junior Cup and Fife and Lothians Cup.

By contrast,  the home side are firing on all fronts. Easy wins in the Scottish, East of Scotland and Fife and Lothians Cups allied to excellent league form have seen the Rose rise to second in the table and a team to be feared by everyone. Bonnyrigg are scoring freely ( with 53 league and cup goals netted by the end of October!) and playing an entertaining brand of football which has seen them win their last nine games.

There was further spice added to the occasion with former Rose manager Max Christie ( the last Rose manager to secure silverware) returning to his old stamping ground.

After a night and morning of very heavy rain, New Dundas Park was in superb condition and there was a decent crowd in attendance.

Rose went straight into the attack and McGachie tried a speculative shot early on Next McLaren put in a dangerous cross but there was no one on the end of it. Kidd was next to put in a good cross which found McLaren at the far post,  but his effort was turned wide. It was all the home team and after 10 minutes they took the lead. A corner from McLaren was headed back across goal by Moyes and KIDD scrambled the ball home.

Strangely the goal seemed to galvanise the visitors and the home team lost their way a bit.

After fifteen minutes, the dangerous Anderson had a shot deflected for a corner but it was a warning for Rose. From a corner taken by Anderson, Miller had a chance at the far post, but put his header wide. A few minutes later Anderson played in Nimmo but he send his swerving shot just wide.

Bonnyrigg still carried a threat when in possession and after twenty two minutes, McLaren played the ball for McIntosh whose clever return ball gave McLaren a great chance - but Broxburn's keeper Maley pulled of a great save.

After 30 minutes, Broxburn got a deserved equaliser. The ball wasn't cleared from a corner and from the ensuing confusion the ball was forced over the line. It was difficult to tell who got the final touch and it might have been an own goal.

With five minutes to the break,, McGachie broke on the right and his superb cross picked out Turner, but he just couldn't find the target.

Half Time Bonnyrigg Rose1; Broxburn Athletic 1

Bonnyrigg started the second half as if they meant business and from their first attack,  McLaren forced a great save from Maley. Minutes later McIntosh had a shot and then from a McLaren corner, Moyes headed over.

Rose created a great opening after fifty six minutes - a fine fun by McGachie gave Turner a shooting chance but his strike was deflected onto the bar. Minutes later, Turner looked to be through but his effort was a tame one.

Rose were the better side but couldn't create many clear openings and Broxburn carried a threat on the break - it took a great recovery tackle from Hoskins after seventy four minutes to keep Anderson out.

In truth, neither side looked like scoring the longer the game went on and despite both sides making changes defences were on top.

Best for the home side on an afternoon when they didn't fire were Moyes and Hoskins. Anderson, Maley and Donaldson caught the eye for the visitors. As results went their way with the other title challengers dropping points this might well be a good point at the end of the season

Bonnyrigg are on the road next week when they visit Hill of Beath Hawthorn while Broxburn entertain Musselburgh Athletic.

Full Time Bonnyrigg Rose1; Broxburn Athletic 1


Teams
Bonnyrigg Rose
Andrews, Horne, Brown, Stewart, Moyes, Hoskins, McLaren, Kidd, McIntosh, Turner and McGachie Subs Archibald, Donaldson, Gray, Tobin and Thomson
Broxburn Athletic
Maley, Donaldson, Millar, Locke, Bkaikie, Miller, Nimmo, Scott, McQuillan, Keast and Anderson
Subs Cormack, Lochrie and King ( only 3)

Referee Peter Stuart


Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter