MATCH REPORT
Bonnyrigg Rose v Camelon Juniors
McBookie.com East Superleague
18/05/2016
MATCH VIDEO
Courtesy of the Juniors Info - Provided by Yasky Entertainment.
Report from Bonnyrigg Rose
Bonnyrigg Secure Super League Crown
Bonnyrigg Rose are the McBookie.com Super League champions after a facile victory over a toothless Camelon Juniors. Rose dominated the entire ninety minutes of a low key encounter in which the visitors were lucky to escape with only a three goal defeat. Rose never looked likely to lose and only a fine performance by the visitors keeper kept the score respectable.
Bonnyrigg's objective was clear tonight as they entertained Camelon Juniors - avoid defeat and they would become McBookie. com East Super League champions for season 2015/16. For Camelon there was also something to play for as they are on the fringes of the relegation struggle and need points to be sure of avoiding the drop or the dreaded play off. Rose are on a terrific run in the league and scoring freely while Camelon can't buy a win a present, and their recent away form has been dreadful.
In front of a large crowd, the home side went straight on the offensive and Grant in the Camelon goal was called into action to make a great stop from a Turner effort.
However, despite dominating possession, Rose were not creating many clear chances and there was nearly a quarter of an hour played before Gray shot past after a poor clearance by Grant. Minutes later McIntosh had a half chance but couldn't convert. In their next attack Gray cut the ball back across goal but Grant did well to intercept. Turner was next to send the ball fizzing across the area but there was no one on the end of it.
After thirty one minutes Camelon managed their first shot - a tame effort by Taylor which was deflected, but comfortably fielded by Andrews.
The one sidedness continued with a McGachie shot deflected wide, before a Hoskins corner produced a good stop by Grant.
After forty four minutes, McIntosh nearly broke the deadlock with a fine header from a Nelson corner, but Bell headed it off the line.
Just when it looked like Camelon would survive to the break, DONALDSON waltzed forward from left back to fire a swerving effort past Grant - no more than Rose deserved and the key for the home fans to relax a little.
Half Time Bonnyrigg Rose 1; Camelon Juniors 0
Right from the start of the second period Rose were straight onto the attack and after forty seven minutes it looked like McGachie had doubled their advantage. The big striker ran unchallenged and fired a shot from distance past Grant - with the aid of a deflection. Referee Alan Hogg gave the goal but after protests from Camelon players, he consulted his assistant and ruled the goal out - a quite bizarre incident!
The onslaught continued though with Stewart shooting from range and a McGachie effort cleared off the line. After fifty five minutes, Nelson did have the ball in the net but was clearly offside.
After 62 minutes the game was finally killed off. McIntosh played a great ball to TURNER on the right and the industrious midfielder finished well.
It was all one way traffic and Rose took the opportunity to introduce players who had played a key role in their surge to the title. Moyes, Kidd and Brown all getting a run out. Just to demonstrate the strength of the squad two of the subs combined to add a third goal - Brown crossed from the right and KIDD bulleted home a header!!!
It was another routine win for Rose who didn't need to be at their best to secure the points but they did enough.
Rose are worthy champions and thoroughly merited their championship win. They play a good brand of football and have a terrific squad, with real depth. They have a solid defence, good goalkeeper, creative and energetic midfield and a real goal threat in McIntosh, whilst McGachie has led the line tirelessly and been a thorn in every Super League defence.
They recovered from a poor start to the season - losing two games early on - to string together a fabulous run of success. They lost only one league game after those initial reverses and scored lots of goals with a great number of players contributing to their tally. Their manager Robbie Horne has done a terrific job and assembled a balanced and talented squad with great spirit and energy levels.
As for Camelon they need to regroup now as games are running out and they need to get a few wins to stave off relegation. Their squad was clearly stretched to breaking levels and they cannot be judged on this performance.
Full Time Bonnyrigg Rose 3; Camelon Juniors 0
Teams
Bonnyrigg Rose
Andrews, Horne, Donaldson, Stewart, Hoskins, Young, Gray, Turner, McIntosh, Nelson and McGachie. Subs Kidd, Moyes, Brown, Drummond and Rooney
