Rose Take Points in Low Key Derby Win

When Bonnyrigg finally wrapped up the points with an added time Hoskins penalty, it put a gloss on an average performance from the home team. It was a game that in truth, they never looked like losing against a Newtongrange Star side who created little in the way of clear cut openings, but who worked hard to limit Rose's scoring opportunities. 

This local derby was the only Junior game in the East Region to beat the freeze and then went ahead only after two referee inspections, but there was a bumper crowd of over 800 to welcome the players on a bitterly cold but sunny, winters day. 

Defending champions Bonnyrigg have slipped twenty points behind Kelty Hearts in the McBookie.com East Region Super League (albeit with five games in hand) but could not afford any more slip ups if they are to have any hope of mounting a realistic challenge - last weeks defeat at Dundonald Bluebell was a huge blow to their hopes. At the other end of the table, Newtongrange Star are desperate for points if they are to move away from the relegation zone. Star picked up a valuable point against Broughty Athletic last Saturday and were hoping that the Rose had half an eye on next Saturday's Scottish Cup, 12,500 sell out with Hibs at Tynecastle . When the teams met earlier in the season at New Victoria Park, a Keiron McGachie goal gave Rose all three points. 

Star were straight onto the front foot and won an early corner but when the ball broke to Wilson, he fired wide from long range. Rose were forced into a change before the quarter hour, with the injured Archibald replaced by Brown at right back. 

There was no clear pattern to the game up to this point and it was half way through the half before Rose really threatened Amos in Stars's goal - Nelson swung in a perfect free kick and Young headed wide. 

However,  it was a sign that Rose were starting to gain control and with twenty eight minutes on the clock, McIntosh had a great chance to put Rose ahead. He gathered a Brown cross from the right and set himself, before pulling his strike wide when he looked sure to score. A minute later, the same player shot wide when he was on the end of a long clearance. Kidd was next to fire over when he got on the end of another through ball. After thirty nine minutes, a Nelson free kick found Hoskins up from the back, but Amos did well to save his header. Right on the break a McGachie effort was stopped on the line with the striker claiming that the ball had gone over. 

Rose might well have gone in at the break ahead if their finishing had been more assured. Star had worked hard but created little and would have been satisfied to be level.

Half Time  Bonnyrigg Rose 0 Newtongrange Star 0

Rose started the second period brightly and took the lead with virtually their first attack after 48 minutes. Gray fired over a free kick from the left. The ball was headed goalwards by Young. The effort was partially cleared and with Rose players claiming the ball had gone over the line, the clearance fell to MCINTOSH who lashed the ball home. 

After falling behind, Star enjoyed their best period of possession and made a few encouraging forward moves with Wilson and Currie prominent. After fifty eight minutes, a cross from the left found its way to Wilson but he couldn't get the ball out of his feet to get his shot away after finding himself in a good position. After sixty seven minutes, Wilson was again involved creating an opportunity with a dangerous cross but there was no one on the end. 

This was to mark a turning point and Rose broke out a minute later, Brown found MCINTOSH with a cross and he added Bonnyrigg's and his own second. 

Rose relaxed after the second goal were now more dominant and started to look dangerous with McGachie spurning the chance to play Kidd in and then Gray firing just over, with a fine dipping effort from long range. 

Deep into added time, Murray received a second yellow card for a poorly timed tackle in the box- HOSKINS stepped up and gave Amos no chance from the spot. 

This was a low key Derby which never threatened to hit the heights of excitement. Rose were always the better side and Star worked hard to contain them without ever looking likely to trouble the Rose back four. Best for Rose were Horne and McIntosh while Currie and Richardson worked hard for the visitors. 

Rose have their Scottish tie next Saturday against Hibs - I'm sure all Junior fans wish them the best of luck - while Star go to Camelon in the D J Laing East of Scotland Cup. 

Full Time Bonnyrigg Rose 3 Newtongrange Star 0

Teams
Bonnyrigg Rose

Andrews, Archibald, Donaldson, Young , Hoskins, Horne, Gray, Kidd, McGachie, Nelson and McIntosh
Subs Moyes, Brown, McLaren, Jamieson and Turner

Newtongrange Star
Amos, Swaney, Murray, Martyniuk, Currie, Morris, Wilson, O'Brien, Lander, Richardson and Bracks subs Hamilton, Young, Crowley, Lally and Newman 

Referee Duncan Smith Assistants Raymond Hume and Brent Falconer

Gordon Baird 
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