Bonnyrigg's Kieran McGachie loving life with fellow Mac

The powerful frontman often does the hard work, with lethal penalty-box man McIntosh usually waiting in the wings to apply a finish from anywhere inside the 18-yard box.

The duo combined to devastating effect on Saturday as the East Super League leaders increased their lead at the top of the table to four points with a commanding 7-0 dismantling of St Andrews.

Experienced forward McIntosh hit four in what was a swashbuckling display from the hosts, while his young apprentice notched a double.

Bonnyrigg boy McGachie had been waiting a while for a goal, his last coming in late January, and he was delighted to get his name on the scoresheet. The 22-year-old is flourishing in his partnership with McIntosh, nine years his senior.

“I’ve not scored in a while, so it was good to get the two goals,” he said. “It’s a bit of a partnership. Wayne’s on some record. I think he’s almost averaged a goal a game bar Pollok. He does what he does well and I do what I do. He’s just a goal machine and I think our partnership works really well.”

McGachie spent a short spell on loan at New Dundas Park from Clyde two seasons ago, before he was snapped up by Rose boss Robbie Horn in the summer from East of Scotland outfit Civil Service Strollers. The former Motherwell youngster says he owes a lot to Horn for believing in him.

“I had a poor spell when I came here on loan,” he admitted.” I don’t think the manager was right and I don’t think I was right. I think I still had a bit of a wee boy mentality, but I feel I’ve got a manager who trusts me and keeps persisting whether I perform or not and I think the gaffer’s loyalty towards me is showing on the pitch.

“I wasn’t in a rut last season. I just couldn’t really see where I was going to go next and my attitude was poor. From my first spell I think I’ve turned a few heads because I was very poor.”

It was third time lucky for McIntosh as he hit the opener after 27 minutes, bulleting a header into the net from Adam Nelson’s cross. The former Whitehill Welfare man had the ball in the net twice in a seven minute spell leading up to the first goal, one ruled out for offside and another for an infringement in the penalty area.

McIntosh then teed up McGachie three minutes later, who swivelled before firing low into the bottom corner past Saints keeper Gavin Wilson. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but referee Duncan Smith overruled his assistant.

The home side increased their lead further before the break after Scott Gray’s cross was knocked home by McIntosh.

McGachie then fired home just inside the post after rounding Wilson four minutes into the second period.

The only surprise was that a fifth goal didn’t arrive until after the 70th minute mark. Gray’s low strike from the edge of the box beat Wilson, who got a hand to the effort but couldn’t keep it out.

Substitute Fraser McLaren played in McIntosh for his hat-trick after 82 minutes before the same man rounded the scoring with an overhead kick.

Rose boss Horn was delighted with his side’s display, but insisted there’s a long way to go in the title race.

“We took control of the game early on and played some great football – as well as we have played all season,” he said.

“Scoring seven goals is nice, it helps the goal difference. Our goal difference at the moment is probably worth a point at least.

“There’s going to be a lot of twists and turns yet. All we can do is keep winning games.”

Bonnyrigg Rose: Andrews, Brown, Donaldson, Stewart (Horne), Young, Hoskins, Turner, McGachie, Nelson (McLaren), McIntosh, Gray.

St Andrews: Wilson, McMullan, Dobie, McInnes, Murdoch, Wedderburn, Sibanda, Cunnigham, Mackie, Whitehead, McManus (Deane).