Bonnyrigg Go Top With Hard Fought Win 

Bonnyrigg Rose returned to the top of the McBookie.com East Super League after a win which was not as clear cut as the final score line suggests. Linlithgow were pressing hard for an equaliser half way through the second half before Bonnyrigg scored their third and decisive goal - very much against the run of play. The visitors were never comfortable up until that point and a fourth goal minutes after the third simply put a gloss on the score line. 

Bonnyrigg Rose were the visitors to Prestonfield, Linlithgow for the McBookie.com East Super League match of the day. The local Rose sit three points behind their Midlothian rivals with a game in hand. Both sides are tucked in behind leaders Penicuik as the season moves towards its final third. The sides played out a dull, goalless draw in November, when ten man Bonnyrigg held on for a point. With both sides out of the Scottish Junior Cup, the East Super League Title is now the biggest prize on offer to them this season. 

There was a good crowd present on a Spring like afternoon to see the teams kick off. There was a scare for the visitors in the opening minute when goalkeeper Andrews clearance was charged down but the ball went behind. 

After 3 minutes there was a blow to Linlithgow when left back Turnbull was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury to be replaced minutes later by Devon.

It was one of those days for goalkeepers and Hill caused a scare for the home team when he miskicked. From the subsequent corner the ball was cleared. 

After 6 minutes Bonnyrigg won a free kick about 25 yards out to the left of the “D”. Free kick specialist CURRIE stepped forward, and after Hoskins has made a decoy run, sent a superb shot beyond Hill to give the visitors a dream start. 

However, within 4 minutes Linlithgow were back on level terms. Turnbull punted a long ball forward which should have been easily dealt with by the Bonnyrigg defence. However, the usually dependable Young missed his kick and MACLELLAN was onto the ball in a flash. He raced in on goal and took the ball around Andrews before firing it home. It had been an eventful first 10 minutes!

In the next Linlithgow attack there was a big shout for a penalty from the home fans when Hoskins made a clumsy tackle on Ronald in the box, but it was waved away. A minute later Coyne got free on the left side of the box but his fierce shot was well saved by Andrews. 

With 19 minutes gone Bonnyrigg came close to taking the lead again. Currie fired a vicious free kick across the face of the goal and Moyes three himself full length in an attempt to head the ball, but he fell just short. With 26 minutes played Hoskins headed just wide for the visitors but the flag was up for offside against the defender. 

The game was fairly even at this point but after 32 minutes the visitors took the lead. After good play on the right side with Currie involved, the ball ended up out wide with Stewart who played a teasing ball to the near post. GRAY was first to react and flicked the ball home.

After 37 minutes Bonnyrigg should have added a third. The visitors broke quickly from defence before Wilson played a delightful through ball for McGachie. Hill rushed from his goal and blocked the strikers shot, but he had looked sure to score.

With 41 minutes played the home side had goalkeeper Hill to thank again. Young got on the end of a Currie corner and fired in a powerful header but somehow the keeper kept the ball out. 

It had been a fairly even first 45 minutes but Bonnyrigg deserved their lead as they had created the better chances and Hill had kept the home side in the match.

Half Time Linlithgow Rose 1: Bonnyrigg Rose 2

There were no changes at the break.

Bonnyrigg were first on the attack and Gray has a shooting chance but scuffed his shot. Linlithgow then had a great opening, when after a free kick was not cleared, the ball broke to MacLennan on the left of the box, but he put his effort wide

The home side were beginning to dominate the game now and after 59 minutes had another good penalty claim for handball turned away. When the ball broke back to Devon his effort was going wide but was well saved by Andrews, after Young had deflected the shot goalwards. 

After 62 minutes a long ball from the back gave the visitors a chance but Wilson’s left footed effort was straight at Hill. Bonnyrigg then brought McIntosh on to replace Wilson.

After 64 minutes Gray blasted wide for the home side but the pressure was mounting. 

Bonnyrigg had a penalty claim waved away a minute later when Young looked to be pulled down. In Linlithgow’s next attack Moyes did well to block a Coyne effort. Gray then made way for Turner as Bonnyrigg sought to shore up the midfield where Whelan was enjoying lots of the ball.

With 20 minutes remaining Linlithgow introduced Sloan for Leiper and the change was to prove crucial with Whelan dropping into the back four.

After 72 minutes Batchelor fired in a swerving effort which Andrews did well to tip over for a corner. 

With 15 minutes remaining Bonnyrigg got a third goal. Just when they looked to be struggling to contain Linlithgow the visitors won a corner on the right. Currie delivered a fine cross and substitute MCINTOSH bulleted a downward header home with the home defence missing the commanding figure of Leiper.

Bonnyrigg then brought on Janczyk for the tiring Stewart. 

Linlithgow’s defence seemed unsteady at this point and with 78 minutes played Bonnyrigg added a fourth and final goal. Nelson robbed Whelan just inside the box and his clever pass found substitute TURNER, who slipped the ball past Hill. Minutes later Sloan dwelt on the ball and McIntosh broke away, the ball was played back to Currie but his curling shot was turned for a corner. 

Linlthgow were beaten but kept pushing forward. Sloan had Andrews at full stretch from a free kick before Coyne had a shot blocked.

Bonnyrigg deserved the victory and it’s a huge three points in terms of the League title. The margin was harsh on the home side who competed well up until the third goal and were clearly affected by the early injury and the second half substitution of Leiper. Best for the visitors were Gray, Horne and McGachie while Whelan and Hill gained top marks for the home side.

 The title race goes on with Bonnyrigg hosting a Midlothian derby with Newtongrange Star next Saturday and Linlithgow visiting Sauchie. 

Full Time Linlithgow Rose 1;  Bonnyrigg Rose 4


Teams

Linlithgow Rose 

Hill, Gray,Turnbull,McKenzie,Leiper,Whelan,Batchelor,MacLennan,Strickland,Coyne and Ronald Subs  Smith,Sloan, Devon,Thom and Carlin ( Gk)

Andrews, Horne, Hoskins, Young ,Moyes, Stewart,Gray, Nelson,McGachie,Wilson and Currie  Subs Martynuik,Turner,Janczyk, McIntosh and Bryan Young  (Gk) 

Referee Peter Stuart

Assistants Mark Harris and Jason Crocker

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter