Last Gasp Rose Deny Brave Thistle Penalty Showdown 

A spirited defensive effort by a disciplined Bathgate Thistle side was undone in the fifth minute of added on time when substitute MCNTOSH headed home a free kick launched forward from his own half by Hoskins. The visitors had looked set to take their illustrious opponents into penalties, on a day when goalkeeper McQuillan looked unbeatable and centre back Nyang had marshalled his defence well,  to restrict Rose to few clear cut chances. 


Bathgate Thistle were the latest side from the East Region tasked with lowering the colours of McBookie.com East Super League leaders Bonnyrigg Rose. The West Lothian side, who currently play in the Premier League, are having a fairly average season on the fringes of the promotion battle and this tie in the Conservatory Convertors Fife and Lothians Cup offered them a diversion from league business and a chance to measure themselves against a top side. Rose are on a long run of success in the East and the only blot on their recent record was their Junior Cup defeat to Pollok FC two weeks ago - although they did bounce back with a comfortable win at Musselburgh Athletic last week. Both sides are previous winners of the Fife and Lothians Cup. 

It was a much changed Bonnyrigg side, with fringe players given an opportunity for a run out,  that took the field on a perfect afternoon for football. However, it was the same attacking approach by the home side, dominating possession but without creating many clear cut openings.

With twelve minutes on the clock, a Nelson long ball was brilliantly controlled by Gray before feeding McLaren but his shot was well stopped by McQuillan in the visitors goal.

There was nearly a quarter of an hour played before Bathgate mustered a shot - well wide from range by MacLeod.

After eighteen minutes,  Rose were awarded a free kick twenty five yards out,  but Hoskins good strike was easily stopped by McQuillan. Thistle's Harris then had an effort but it was easily gathered by Andrews.

Gray was having a fine game wide on the right for Rose and after twenty six minutes his cross found Drummond who should have scored. He had two efforts from close in - one saved by the keeper and the second blocked by full back McGurk.

Rose continued to dominate and first Hoskins fired wide, then Drummond had his effort saved - a good stop from McQuillan as the ball moved quite a bit through the air.

Gray was again soon in evidence with a fine cross but McLaren just couldn't get on the end of his tempting cross.

Rose were in total control and Drummond blasted over after Horne had squared to McLaren whose effort was blocked.

As the break approached Thistle relieved some of the pressure when Hutton had a shot and then Easton headed wide from a McIntosh cross. 


Half Time Bonnyrigg Rose 0; Bathgate Thistle 0

Rose made a change at the break replacing Drummond with McGachie and the game continued in the same pattern.

First Horne had a heading chance but made a poor connection and then McLaren was denied by quick thinking from McQuillan, as the two competed for a through ball. Substitute McGachie then fired in a good shot after a fine turn but McQuillan pulled off a fine save down low at his right hand post.

Thistle were mostly defending but created an opening although Andrews did well to cut out MacLeods's effort. Minutes later Nyang nearly got on the end of a a free kick.

Rose kept chasing the opener and with the hour approaching Gray had a fine run  - but McQuillan again saved his effort well. Young then had a header but the keeper was in fine form. Next McLaren has a shot over the bar.

With sixty three minutes gone, Rose replaced Nelson with Turner and he made an immediate impact blasting over.

In a rare foray upfield Ngang got on the end of a cross but his effort was from too far out and easy for Andrews.

Rose played their last card with just over a quarter of an hour left with McIntosh replacing Gray.

A minute later Turner had another effort well saved.

With five minutes remaining, Archibald was forced off,  leaving Rose down to ten men as all their subs were already on.

However, Rose kept looking pushing forward and McIntosh had a chance blocked by Thistle's McIntosh.

Rose seemed to have tried everything and exhausted all of their attacking options - then deep into added time and with a penalty shoot out looking likely,  McIntosh struck.

This was a game that Bonnyrigg dominated throughout but they found a Bathgate side who were well organised and worked hard. It would have been an injustice if Rose had faced the lottery of penalties but it was a cruel end for Bathgate after such a brave effort.

Gray and Turner were best for the home side and McIntosh once again proved the value of a goalscorer. The changes to the Rose usual starting line up obviously contributed to a slightly below par performance. Bathgate were well served by Ngang and Keeper McQuillan and Easton ran himself into the ground for the cause. Rose now go forward to play the winners of the Dundonald Bluebell or Haddington tie away from home.

Next up for Rose is a return to Super League duties with a visit to Hill of Beath Hawthorn whilst Thistle are also in Fife in the Premier League, with a visit to Kennoway Star Hearts

Full Time Bonnyrigg Rose1; Bathgate Thistle 0

Teams
Bonnyrigg Rose
Andrews, Archibald, Brown, Kidd, Young, Hoskins, Gray,  Horne, McLaren,Nelson and Drummond  Subs Donaldson, Turner, McIntosh, McGachie and Rooney

Bathgate Thistle
McQuillan, McIntosh, McGurk, Macisaac, Nyang, Baird, MacLeod, Hutton, Jaconelli, Easton and Harris Subs Young, Minnick, Nicoll, MacDonald and Malone


Referee Colin Whyte, Assistants  Fraser Cameron and Fiona Morton

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter