FOOTBALL: Bonnyrigg Rose dump Newtongrange Star in derby clash
Bonnyrigg Rose 3 Newtongrange Star 2
The winter weather finally relented last Saturday — though not in Gorebridge or Penicuik where Arniston and Athletic's fixtures were postponed.
And at New Dundas Park, Bonnyrigg, a big crowd attended Midlothian's match of the day in the East Region Super League.
The fans were rewarded with a superbly entertaining game as the Rose finally gained their first home win of 2010 against arch rivals Star who contributed well to this top quality match.
In a pulsating clash champions Bonnyrigg went in front but then in a nine minute spell Star equalised and took the lead in a ding dong battle which saw Rose lift their game to square the match at 2-2 all before the half hour mark as defences looked rusty on both sides.
This left a crucial second half battle with the next goal likely to be the winner and so it proved as Bonnyrigg struck late to grab all three points to lift them up to mid table ahead of Musselburgh — 2-1 losers at top of the table Bo'ness who visit Newtongrange this weekend.
Full match report in this week's Advertiser - on sale now.
If you'd like your sport or club to feature in the Advertiser, click here Four goals in the opening 27 minutes gave the crowd plenty of entertainment though the respective managers would be less impressed with defensive performances.
Sean Grady tested keeper Hill with a tidy shot next as Rose sought the lead again but it was an outstretched leg of Greg Logan that denied a clear Scott McCulloch chance in an end to end battle.
Rose pushed the game towards Star and a 37th minute glancing header from O’Reilly was only just wide of the far post as Bonnyrigg pressed up to the half-time whistle.
Newtongrange made changes on the restart as Alan Brown substituted for David Murie with Darren Gourlay moving to right back and Brown going on to the right wing.
Three early second half corners from Star were dealt with by a determined home defence as the second 45 minutes generally saw both defences much improved as a tighter game now resulted. Bonnyrigg’s first second half attack in 52 minutes saw a corner headed too high by David Dunn while Thomson replied for Star but he too was too high.
With an hour gone it was a tense game with chances much fewer now so Bonnyrigg substituted Kevin Bracks with David Burrell as the Rose pressed with corners again seeing Dunn too high.
Thomson and Roseburgh next combined in a good move for Star but Hutchison was just inches away from connecting with his head in front of goals.
Defences were still on top into the last quarter with Thomson heading a clear chance wide before substitutes saw Star bring on striker Grant Meaney and Rose introduce Paliczka and Moffat.
Chances continued to go abegging as Star claimed a goalline clearance was in fact over the line but referee Alan Hogg, right on the spot, said no goal.
In 80 minutes Ubong replaced McCulloch for the Star but five minutes from time Rose struck a golden winner out of virtually nothing when a shot from Craig O’Reilly raced into Hill’s net from 25 yards range, beating the goalkeeper all ends up.
Rose then played out time to secure the precious points and a superb win over their local derby rivals — only Star’s third defeat in 14 Super League matches in their debut season in the top division. Bonnyrigg thankfully climb up the league after languishing in the relegation zone.
Star return to New Victoria Park in the Super League this week to welcome pacesetters Bo’ness United who beat Star 4-0 at Bo’ness way back in August last year.
Bonnyrigg are away to Oakley United in the second round of the East of Scotland Cup this weekend while in the Premier Division Arniston Rangers visit Ballingry.
Fife and Lothians Cup action sees Penicuik Athletic at home to Steelend while Musselburgh Athletic call on Edinburgh United. Dalkeith Thistle, who drew 2-2 with Broxburn at King’s Park last Saturday in the South Division, remain at home to welcome Spartans who beat Haddington 3-0 last Saturday in Edinburgh.
Scottish Junior Cup action this coming weekend sees an all West Lothian quarter final tie at Creamery Park between two local rivals — Bathgate Thistle at home to Linlithgow Rose who disposed of Whit etts Vics 5-0 at Prestonfield last Saturday in a fifth round replay.
In another East Region quarter final Scottish Cup tie Lochee United entertain Newtongrange’s conquerors, Tayport.
Bonnyrigg Rose: Logan, Robertson, Noble, Hamilton, Dunn, Wilson, Grady, Bracks, O’Reilly, McLeish, Martin.Subs: Moffat, Paliczka, Burrell, Reid.
Newtongrange Star: Hill, Murie, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Gielty, Gourlay, Thomson, McCulloch, Hutchison, Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney, Umotong, Brown, A Fairbairn, R Fairbairn, Lunn (gk).
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Weather for Dalkeith
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
