Haddington Go Down Fighting To Superior Rose

Although the record books will show that Bonnyrigg Rose ran out comfortable winners and might have had even more goals, Haddington gave a good account of themselves and showed that they have the potential to play in the Super League next season. The visitors hit the woodwork a few times in the first half but Athletic competed well in that period and took the game to their highflying opponents. However, ultimately Rose had too many guns for the home side and added a couple of spectacular goals late on to put a gloss on the score line. 

It was second in the McBookie.com East Premier League, Haddington Athletic, hosting McBookie.com East Super League leaders Bonnyrigg Rose,in the DJ Laing East of Scotland Cup 3rd Round this afternoon. Both sides are enjoying successful seasons and the visitors have lost only twice, to Beith in the Scottish Junior Cup and Broxburn in the league. The home side are unbeaten at Millfield and have an obvious chance of promotion to the top league. Bonnyrigg lost out to Tranent in the East of Scotland Cup final last season and have beaten Dundee North End in this year’s competition. Haddington defeated Bo’ness in the last round but faced a huge task against a Rose side in fine form.

There was a good crowd at Millfield to see the sides kick off on a dull afternoon in a light drizzle. Rose has taken the opportunity to rest a few players but nearly scored inside the opening two minutes. Nelson sent a teasing free kick in from the right, it was headed goalwards by Moyes and it alluded everyone before keeper Cockburn grabbed it - but only after it seemed to strike the base of the post. It was an early warning that Rose were really dangerous from set pieces and in Nelson had a player capable of delivering telling crosses for their big defenders.

 Haddington settled quickly and a Hill free kick was headed wide by Moffat with 5 minutes played. 

Although Rose were comfortable in possession the home side were very much in the game and attempting to play football on a difficult afternoon. With 15 minutes played Haddington nearly got themselves into trouble when Cunningham misheaded a clearance, but Rose could make nothing from the resultant free kick. At this stage Haddington were playing well and Rose lacking their usual composure in midfield. 

However, half way through the half Rose nearly took the lead. Wilson  gave Turner the shooting chance but his well struck effort came back off the post. Rose Central defender Young was then booked for a clumsy tackle but Cropley failed to find the target from the resultant free kick. Jones was causing problems with his pace but the experienced Rose defenders were denying the flyer, space. After 29 minutes Haddington had a great chance. Moffat started the move with a fine flick wide on the right and when the ball ended up with Jones on the left of the box, he was denied by B Young in the visitors goal. 

Rose were obviously finding it hard to deal with the Haddington midfield and moved Horne forward into that area to reinforce it. Within minutes they took the lead. McIntosh did well on the right to get on the end of a throw in and delivered a good cross. WILSON met the ball at the near lost and his header beat Cockburn. The striker went in bravely for the header and was injured in the process, although able to continue after treatment. Cockburn might have done better in cutting out the cross. 

After 38 minutes, player/manager Hamill tried to step out from the back. The classy defender lost possession and the ball was played forward to Wilson who exploited the gap at the back to race in on goal but, he put his shot wide. 

As the break approached Bonnyrigg produced the move of the game. Great interplay around the box let Wilson in again but his shot struck the post and ran across the goal to safety.

Haddington ended the half on the front foot with shots and headers at goal but Young was never troubled.

Rose deserved their lead at the break as they had created the better chances but Haddington had played well and were still very much in the tie. 

Half Time  Haddington Ath 0; Bonnyrigg Rose 1

There were no changes at the break. 

Haddington were straight on the offensive and Jones saw his shot blocked in their first attack. Next Cairney did well to win a corner on the right. Hill swung the ball over and Cunningham headed just over. 

However, Bonnyrigg always carried a threat at set pieces and when a Brett free kick was not cleared after 52 minutes, K YOUNG smashed the ball home to double the visitors advantage. 

However, Haddington kept pushing forward and Rose were forced to defend another Hill free kick after 55 minutes. A minute later Hamill shot wide.

Legs were tiring on the heavy pitch and both sides made substitutions to freshen things up. K Young was replaced by Currie. Horne dropped into the back four and Rose were able to exploit the increased space with the substitutes passing ability. Haddington withdrew captain Inglis who worked hard in midfield and brought on Torrance.

Haddington were chasing the tie and leaving gaps and after 74 minutes another substitute MCGACHIE, scored a Ronaldo inspired overhead kick when he got on the end of a Moyes cross. Four minutes later MCGACHIE added a fourth with a long range effort, controlling the ball with his left foot before smashing it home with his right. MARTYNIUK added a fifth with a terrific dipping effort from outside the box after the goalkeeper had mistimed his clearance straight to him. The tie was well and truly decided by this time but credit to Haddington who kept trying. With 83 minutes played they gained some reward. Berry put in a fine cross which JONES met at the near post and headed home. 

That was the end of the scoring although both sides created further openings.

Rose go into the hat for the next round and a shock was never really on the cards. They carried out the job in a professional manner although with so many changes to their line up probably didn’t perform to their best. Horne was terrific wherever he played and McGachie had an impact from the bench with two goals as the home side tired. 

Haddington will have much easier opponents as their league campaign unfolds but they gave the tie a real go. They competed well for the first 45 minutes but found it difficult when chasing the game and were punished for their mistakes. Cunningham and Jones were best although the whole team put in a great shift. 

Bonnyrigg visit Camelon next Saturday on Super League business while Haddington entertain Blackburn United in the Premier League. 

Full Time   Haddington Ath 1; Bonnyrigg Rose 5 

Haddington Athletic 
Cockburn, Cairney,Tufail, Hamill, Cunningham, Inglis, Hill,Berry, Moffat, Cropley,  and Jones, Subs Temple, Torrance, Quinn, Devlin and Alysandratos

Bonnyrigg Rose
B Young, Brett, Martyniuk ,K Young ,Moyes,Horne, Turner,Stewart,McIntosh,Wilson and Nelson  Subs Brown,Currie, McGachie Gray and Andrews  (Gk) 

Referee Duncan Smith

Assistants Gary McGregor and Danny MacKinnon 

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter