Linlithgow Grab Point Against Ten Man Bonnyrigg 

Bonnyrigg dominated this game until McGachie saw red just after the hour and had looked the more likely winners. Linlithgow came more into the match when Bonnyrigg went down to ten men but were never convincing and created little until two headed efforts in added on time. Bonnyrigg had loads of possession against the League leaders but only really looked dangerous from set pieces and neither side created many clear cut goal goal scoring chances. 

Bonnyrigg Rose played hosts to McBookie.com East Super League leaders Linlithgow Rose in the region’s match of the day. The visitors had a poor season last year, but have started well in the new campaign and have tasted defeat only twice - in their first two away games at Penicuik Athletic and Broxburn Athletic- away back in early August. They have won their last eight league matches.Bonnyrigg Rose are unbeaten this season and sit fourth in the table. They have dropped only two points at New Dundas Park this season in an astonishing 4-4 draw with Lochee United.

Bonnyrigg were the first to threaten and after 5 minutes Hoskins brought a tremendous save from Hill when he got his head to a Currie corner kick. The home side threatened from an early free kick but couldn’t test Hill again.

Linlithgow took fully 11 minutes to create anything and it was only a corner.  Shields’ corner came to nothing. However, after 15 minutes they should have taken the lead. MacLennan was put through “one on one”with goalkeeper Young but, despite have loads of time, he couldn’t find a way past the keeper who saved well.

 These chances at either end turned out to be the highlights of the first period. Bonnyrigg dominated possession and won a series of corner kicks but they couldn’t test Hill again. Linlithgow were poor and never looked likely to score as top scorer Coyne was anonymous and the Bonnyrigg defence looked solid. McIntosh and McGachie worked hard up front for the home side but struggled against a solid Linlithgow defence.

Half Time  Bonnyrigg Rose 0; Linlithgow Rose 0

There were no changes at the break but Linlithgow did make a change after 51 minutes - Malone making way for Strickland.

Bonnyrigg created a half chance a minute later with another Currie free kick being met by Hoskins, before it fell to McGachie who couldn’t find the target. Bonnyrigg were totally in control but things changed dramatically when McGachie was red carded after 62 minutes. The ball was loose in the area and the frontman lunged in in an attempt to win it. Referee Colin Whyte felt that his attempted tackle was worthy of a yellow card and as he had been booked earlier, he had to go. The Linlithgow players clearly felt that McGachie’s challenge was a bad one and reacted angrily which might well have influenced the referee.

Linlithgow were clearly buoyed by the home side going down to 10 men and after 65 minutes Strickland has a great chance from a Ronald cross but, he mishit his effort when he might well have opened the scoring.

Linlithgow enjoyed more possession now but still couldn’t find a way through the home defence. Both sides made changes as the clock ticked down.  Late on the visitors sent a header over and then Coyne headed just wide right on time.

This was a game of little clear cut chances but lots of yellow cards and a poor spectacle for the large crowd. Bonnyrigg were the better side for long periods but couldn’t create much while Linlithgow seemed happy with a point until the sending off. Best for the visitors was Gray who looked a strong defender. Bonnyrigg were not at their best going forward but solid at the back.

Linlithgow will be happier with a point but they might well have taken all three with more ambition. Bonnyrigg will be disappointed that they couldn’t turn possession into goals but in the end a point with ten men is a result against the league leaders. 


Both sides are on Scottish Junior Cup duty next Saturday. Bonnyrigg visit Vale of Leven whilst Linlithgow go to Oakley United.


Full Time Bonnyrigg Rose 0; Linlithgow Rose 0

Bonnyrigg Rose 
B Young,Brett, Brown,Young, Moyes,Hoskins, Gray, Currie, McGachie, Horne and McIntosh  Subs Martynuik, McConnell, Nelson, Lough and Andrews (Gk) 

Linlithgow Rose 

Hill, Gray,Turnbull,Thom, McKenzie,Shields,Ronald, MacLennan,Malone, Coyne and Batchelor Subs  Sloan, Strickland,McClair, Devine and Carlin ( Gk)

Referee Colin Whyte, Assistants Nelson Silva and Emma Hingant 

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter