Holders Just Too Good For Battling Rose

Despite giving everything for the cause and playing some attractive football, Bonnyrigg Rose were ultimately well beaten by a strong, ruthless and on form Hibernian. The loss of two goals in four minutes in the the opening quarter of an hour put the underdogs on the back foot and silenced the large Rose support and,  when Hibs went three up in 23 minutes, you feared that Championship leaders might get into double figures. However, a Hoskins penalty after 34 minutes restored a little pride and it was only as the part timers legs began to go in the second half that Hibs ramped up the score with some ruthless finishing. 

At the start of the 2016/17 football season nobody could have imagined that Bonnyrigg Rose, McBookie.com East Region Super League Champions, would be hosting the current Scottish Cup holders, Hibernian, in the fourth round of this season's competition. Equally surprising was the fact that the tie would be getting played at Tynecastle Stadium, home of Hibernian's fiercest rivals Hearts. However, New Dundas Park could never have coped with the huge crowd who wanted to see the encounter. 

It's already been a fine campaign for the Junior club with notable wins over Turriff United, Highland League Champions Cove Rangers and Championship side, Dumbarton. However, this tie with Hibs ranks as one of the biggest fixtures in the club's long and illustrious history and the fact that the game was a 12,500 sell out spoke volumes for the interest in the match in the Junior community. No Junior club has ever beaten a full time club in the Scottish Cup, so this was an opportunity for Rose to create history in their first ever competitive match with Hibs. 

Bonnyrigg started brightly and won an early corner on the Hibs left, but the delivery from Nelson was poor and didn't trouble the experienced Hibs defence. In Hibs first attack, Humphrey showed his pace on the right but Donaldson did enough to ensure his cross was only into the side net. McGachie was his usual troublesome self upfront and his tireless running  forced Fontaine into an error, but Rose couldn't capitalise on it. Keatings was dangerous for Hibs and a probing through ball forced Andrews to look alert . Although The Juniors looked nervous, they seemed to be weathering the early onslaught but, after 11 minutes they fell behind. Hibs had the ball on the left and when it was played infield to Shinnie 25 yards out,he took the opportunity to try a shot. Somehow the ball evaded the Andrews dive in the Rose goal - the keeper will feel that he might well have done better. Three minutes later and Hibs doubled their lead. This time the keeper had no chance with Keatings sublime chipped finish from outside the box and already there was a feeling around the crowd that Hibs were in the hat for Round 5! 

Despite these setbacks Rose kept playing their football and a dangerous Donaldson cross from the left forced Marciano into a near post stop. The keeper injured himself making the save and was replaced after treatment by Laidlaw. After 21 minutes Humphrey set Cummings free but the striker wanted too much time and the chance was wasted. 

After 23 minutes, Hibs scored a third. Stevenson got free on the left and although Andrews parried his shot, it fell to Humphrey to fired home. 

However, Bonnyrigg were not finished and after 34 minutes pulled a goal back. Donaldson slipped the ball into the path of McGachie and as the striker raced into the box, Forster appeared to make contact. Referee Muir pointed straight to the spot amidst Hibs protests before Hoskins stepped forward and gave Laidlaw no chance from the spot in front of the vociferous Hibs support. 

The goal lifted Rose and they had another strong penalty claim turned down before he break - Hoskins' cross appearing to be handled by Holt but the referee gave only a corner. The kick was taken by Turner and met by McIntosh free at  the far post, but he headed over when he looked sure to score. 

With the break looming Cummings might well have added a fourth for Hibs but Hoskins got back to clear his effort, as the ball rolled towards the goal line. 

Half Time Bonnyrigg Rose 1; Hibernian 3

Neither side made any changes at the break. 

Rose again started brightly and good interplay on the right created a shooting chance for Kidd, who shot wide. 

Cummings was becoming more prominent for Hibs and after 51 minutes, the striker volleyed home expertly from a Stevenson cross to make it 4-1. 

After 58 minutes, Rose made a change to introduce fresh legs and Gray replaced Turner. However three minutes later and Hibs made it five. Holt's cross was met by Stevenson at the far post and he made no mistake. 

Hibs were totally dominant now and threatened to rip the tiring Rose apart. 

In 71 minutes they added a sixth. Holt's shot was saved by Andrews but Cummings headed in his second from the rebound. Four minutes later Keatings got his second when he converted a Holt pass to make it seven. In 81 minutes, Forster headed an eighth from a cross from the right - after Hoskins had conceded a free kick and been yellow carded for a reckless tackle. 

There were no more goals and Rose players were grateful to hear the final whistle as legs tired against full time opposition. 

Hibs were simply too strong and quick thinking for a Rose side that gave everything and there is no disgrace in losing out to the team who sit top of the Championship and Neil Lennon played the Juniors a compliment by playing a strong side.  Hibs dominated the midfield with their extra pace and quick passing. Cummings gave the Rose back four a tough afternoon and Keatings, Shinnie and McGinn were constantly probing for openings. McIntosh missed a chance just before the break that would have gotten his side right back into it and Rose fans will point to the penalty claim for handball against Holt. However, there was never a chance of a shock and Hibs were comfortable after the two early goals. The Rose full backs Horne and Donaldson caught the eye and McGachie was always willing up front. Andrews in goal will have better afternoons but the keeper was left exposed too often and made some fine stops. Manager Robbie Horne resisted any temptation to "park the bus" and it led to an open game which will be long remembered by Rose fans. It's been a wonderful story for Bonnyrigg and another chapter in their illustrious history. 

Next Saturday Bonnyrigg make the trip to Kilsyth to face the local Rangers in the Junior Cup fourth round and it will be no easy matter for Rose to recover from yesterday's defeat, in what promises to be a difficult tie. 

Full Time Bonnyrigg Rose1; Hibernian 8

Teams 

Bonnyrigg Rose

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

Manager Robbie Horn

Hibernian 

Marciano, Fontaine, McGinn, Holt, Stevenson, Keatings, Shinnie, Forster, McGregor, Humphrey and Cummings

subs Bartley, Fyvie, Boyle, Graham, Laidlaw, Crane and Martin

Manager Neil Lennon 

Referee Alan Muir

Assistants Grahame Stewart Kevin McElhinney

Gordon Baird