League Leaders Back On Form In Derby

Bonnyrigg Rose recovered from last weeks shock Junior Cup defeat to cruise past a Musselburgh side who never looked likely to enhance their impressive home record against their local rivals.

Musselburgh Athletic welcomed league leaders Bonnyrigg Rose who were still smarting from their home Scottish Junior Cup trouncing by Pollok FC last Saturday. Rose have been on a super run in the League and this local derby was a great opportunity to get back on track after last weeks disappointment. The home side have had only one fixture in 2016 and that ended in defeat to St Andrews United in Fife and they knew that only a win would reignite their Super League Championship hopes. However, Athletic have been on a fine run in the league at home with five straight wins and eight in all competitions and it promised to be an exciting encounter.

There was a good crowd in Olivebank on a wet and windy afternoon to watch this match on a very heavy and difficult pitch.

Bonnyrigg were straight onto the offensive and dominated the early exchanges. Musselburgh couldn't get into the game and visitors won a number of corners with firstly Nelson, and then Turner,  trying to find the heads of Moyes or Hoskins at the far post. Finally, at the third attempt Turner found Hoskins but his effort was wide.

After nine minutes, the every willing McGachie was nearly through but Dodds was alert and reached the ball first just inside his area. Nelson was next to try with a long range free kick but Dodds again was equal to it. In the next few minutes,Turner, McGachie and McIntosh all tried  shots but didn't trouble Dodds.

With fully sixteen minutes on the clock, Jamieson had a half chance for the home team but Andrews turned it away for a corner. There followed three corners in quick succession for Athletic but it was very much against the run of play.

Normal service was resumed quickly and good interplay on the right between Donaldson and McIntosh brought the visitors another fruitless corner.

The home side were forced to work hard to contain Rose but half way through the half a McKenna cross found Bracks - but he missed his kick when in good position. A minute later the same player was nearly on the end of a free kick.

With 28 minutes on the clock Rose took a lead which had seemed inevitable. Kidd, who'd been influential throughout crossed and found McIntosh free in the middle. He looked sure to score but Dodds saved, the rebound fell to MCINTOSH and at the second attempt, he forced it home - although Dodds very nearly kept it out on the line.

At this point the game was littered with yellow cards although it was for petty fouls or backchat.

Just before the half hour, Athletic's Christie misheaded a clearance and let McGachie in but the striker took too long to get his shot off and was well tackled.

Rose were value for more than their one goal lead but with five minutes left in the half Bracks nearly squared things with an audacious chip which drifted just wide of Andrews'  post with the keeper scrambling back. Right on the break Hamilton has a chance from a Thomson corner but couldn't finish.

Half Time Musselburgh Athketc 0; Bonnyrigg Rose 1

There were no substitutions at the break and Rose resumed on the offensive. After forty six minutes,  a Hoskins free kick brought out a good stop from Dodds. Minutes later Turner and Brown combined but the the latter miskicked. With fifty three minutes played, McGachie turned well and ran in on goal before firing in a shot well saved by Dodds. From the corner, Nelson put in an inch perfect cross and MCINTOSH headed his own, and Rose's second.

A minute later, a big task became a huge one for the home side as McKenna was dismissed for a late tackle which earned him a second yellow.

Musselburgh were nearly given a lifeline when an Andrews clearance was charged down by Palizcka - but the keeper was quick to recover.

After sixty one minutes Moyes headed just over from a Nelson free kick - the midfielders dead ball delivery was brilliant on the day. A minute later Turner nearly headed home from distance.

Musselburgh continued to tot up the yellow cards with three in quick succession.

With twenty minutes left,  dead ball expert Thomson nearly got Athletic back into it but his dipping effort was just over.

Minutes later the points were secured. Nelson's fine passed found substitute Archibald whose cross was destined for Turner,  before Gibson pushed him over. Referee Peter Stewart pointed straight to the spot and goal scoring centre back HOSKINS gave Dodds no chance.

Rose continued to look for more goals and substitute Gray had an effort headed off the line by Christie -  before Moyes also had an effort cleared off the line by Gibson. With four minutes remaining, the other two Rose substitutes Archibald and McLaren combined to force another good save from Dodds.

This was a comfortable win for Bonnyrigg Rose and they dominated the match. Nelson and Kidd were prominent in midfield, the back four solid and McIntosh a goal threat. Musselburgh were well served by goalkeeper Dodds but second best on the day and guilty of indiscipline.

Referee Stewart handed out far too many cards - over 10 - in what was never a dirty game and he might have made a little more allowance for the conditions. Having said that the players didn't seem to listen to his warnings and he got the big decisions right!

Full Time  Musselburgh Athletic 0; Bonnyrigg Rose 3 

Teams

Musselburgh Athletic
Dodds, Christie , McLeish, Myles, Gibson, Hamilton, Bracks,Thomson, Palizcka, Jamieson and McKenna Subs Wright, Cinnaghan, Hall, Swaney and Davie

Bonnyrigg Rose
Andrews, Brown, Donaldson, Stuart, Moyes, Hoskins, Turner, Kidd, McGachie, Nelson and McIntosh  Subs Horne, Archibald, Drummond, Gray and McLaren

Referee  Peter Stewart, assistants Greig Haynes and Fraser Hamilton

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter