Stubborn Linlithgow End Bonnyrigg's Championship Hopes

Although the better side throughout, Bonnyrigg Rose failed to breakdown a hard working and well organised Linlithgow Rose. A combination of the visitor's defence, some poor finishing and the woodwork ensured that Bonnyrigg drew a blank, while Linlithgow took their chances to ultimately run out clear winners. This defeat confirms Kelty Hearts as McBookie.com East Region SuperLeague Champions for season 2016/17 - their second championship in three years.

Bonnyrigg Rose went into this match knowing that victories in their last two league matches would see them regain their McBookie.com East Super League crown. This would be a remarkable achievement as the New Dundas Park men have been going flat out for weeks as they  played catch up on Kelty Hearts. Few would have believed they could have closed both the gap in points and goal difference to the Fife side. Linlithgow Rose have had a poor season by their own high standards but this was a chance to recover some pride by denting Bonnyrigg's hopes of a repeat championship win. Linlithgow have been in better form of late and were sure to make life difficult for the title contenders who are down to the bare bones squad wise.

There was a large crowd in attendance to see this vital fixture on a beautiful Summer's evening, perfect for football. Bonnyrigg started in determined fashion and Jamieson nearly put them ahead in their first raid but he took too long to get his shot away. Seconds later Turner fired over a dangerous cross but there were no takers.

Linlithgow' first effort came from a Kelly free kick which broke to Muhsin but he shot over.

The home side were on the front foot and after four minutes Kidd fired over.

Linlithgow' next effort was a long range shot from McNab but it didn't trouble Andrews in the home goal. The keeper had to look lively minutes later as he rushed from his area to clear a through ball.

McNab tried again from range after twelve minutes but his effort was wide.

Jamieson  nearly put Bonnyrigg ahead after thirteen minutes when he got on the end of a Gray cross from the left, but Hill saved well at his near post.

In Bonnyrigg's next attack Young played a delightful ball to Gray on the left, his infield ball found Jamieson in space, but he took too long to get his shot away. 

With 21 minutes played the visitors took the lead. KELLY got on the end of a cross from the left and his glancing header went in off Andrews far post. The goal was against the run of play but gave Linlithgow something to protect and it was obvious that they were in the mood to give nothing away.  Indeed the home team who seemed to lose their way a bit during the remainder of the first half with a only a penalty claim when Jamieson was upended of any note to report.

Half Time Bonnyrigg Rose 0; Linlithgow Rose 1

Bonnyrigg came out for the second period knowing that they had to score at least twice to keep their championship hopes alive and as in the first half, they started off in determined mood with McGachie putting in a good cross.

After forty nine minutes they nearly equalised when Gray got on the end of a cross from the right, but his controlled volley smashed against the cross bar and away to safety!

Almost immediately Kelly had a shooting chance at the other end and it looked like this was to be the pattern of the second half - Bonnyrigg pushing men forward and leaving themselves vulnerable to the counter attack.

After 52 minutes Nelson was replaced by Brown for Bonnyrigg

Muhsin had a snap shot for the visitors as they hour mark approached but Andrews gathered it at the second attempt.

Pressure was building on the Linlithgow defence as Bonnyrigg won free kicks and corners before Turner fired a shot wide. After sixty four minutes, a Turner corner was met by the head of McIntosh but Hill pulled off a fine stop in the Linlithgow goal.

Linlithgow were still dangerous on the odd occasion that they got out of their own half and after sixty eight minutes, a Swann corner was headed straight at Andrews by McNab and the keeper only just managed to grab the ball between his legs as it looked goal bound.

Bonnyrigg were throwing everything at the visitors but looking weary and the Linlithgow defence, marshalled by Leiper, were coping well.

With eight minutes remaining Linlithgow got the killer second goal. Turner slipped out wide on the Bonnyrigg left and Gray robbed him. The winger cut inside and squared the ball to MCNAB who side footed the ball past Andrews.

There was a feeling of inevitability after that and although Brown struck the bar and the home side never stopped pushing forward, the crowd knew that the game was over.

Bonnyrigg put up a fabulous effort to take the season to a climax at Kelty on Saturday but it was a game too far for tired legs with a depleted squad. The players gave everything and they  should all be proud of their achievements this season. Moyes, Turner and Gray were their best men on the night. Linlithgow just about deserved the points although they were outplayed for long periods and took their chances on the break. Lenore and Hill were they best players on the night. 

Bonnyrigg's supporters stayed behind to applaud their team after the game in what was their last home match of a very long season. They go to Kelty Hearts on Saturday where they will face a home side buoyed by Championship success. Their last chance of silverware is in the D J Laing East of Scotland Cup where they face a semi final with Muselburgh Athletic onJune 7th at Olivebank.

Linlithgow have their final match on Saturday when they host Jeanfield Swifts and look to end their poor league campaign with another win.

Full Time  Bonnyrigg Rose 0; Linlithgow Rose 2

Teams

Bonnyrigg Rose

Andrews, Kidd, Archibald, Young , Moyes, Turner,Jamieson, Gray, McIntosh, Nelson and McGachie  Subs Brown, Tobin, Brett, Stewart and Paterek

Linlithgow Rose

Hill, Thom, Williams, MacKenzie, Leiper, Muhsin, Gray, McNab, Kelbie, Kelly and Swan Subs Small and Donaldson

Referee Colin Whyte

Assistants Steven Wilson and Mark Harris

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter