NARROW DEFEAT AGAINST NEWLY PROMOTED PREMIERSHIP DUNDEE

It was back to NDP on Tuesday evening for the first competitive home fixture since the last day survival showdown with Elgin City in May. 1,555 (500 away) supporters packed into the Boomtown Bernabeu in the hope of seeing the Rose pull of a shock by sending the visitors back to City of Discovery empty handed. There was plenty reason for optimism ahead of the clash with our Premiership counterparts after Saturday’s impressive display in the Highland against last season’s Scottish Cup finalists.

NDP fell silent prior to kick off as a minute silence was held to remember those that we sadly lost during the close season. Heather Jones, Stewart Renwick, Ian Henderson and Karen Keogh – Forever in our hearts.

It was Dundee that were first to threaten and it was a first half that they’d dominate. In the opening minute the ball was played out to the left hand side to Scott Tiffoney, he got the better of Angus Mailer before hanging a cross up to Zack Rudden, fortunately for the Rose, the front man’s header went safely over Paddy Martin’s cross bar. A minute later and Tiffoney received the ball again, this time his cross was cut out and Dundee were awarded a corner. Joe Shaughnessy rose highest in the box from said corner, his header had Paddy flying across his line to save but with the referee pointing for a goal kick, it appeared that the ball clipped the outside of the post without a touch from the big man.

Dundee continued to get the ball on the deck and looked dangerous, particularly through Tiffoney and McCowan on the opposite wing. The corner count for the away side was racking up but the Rose defence remained solid and the lads continued to put bodies on the line to keep the visitors at bay. Cammy Kerr and Zach Robinson both had attempts at goal which were well saved by Paddy Martin, before Scott Tiffoney found himself through on goal but just as it looked like Dundee would finally make all their pressure pay, the winger blazed the ball high and wide.

With two minutes to go until the break, Rose passed up a glorious opportunity to go in ahead despite being pinned in their own half for large spells. Smart Osadolor done superbly to close down the Dundee defence and win the ball, he laid it off to Watson who from just inside the right hand side of the box unleashed a powerful strike but it fizzed inches past Jon McCracken’s post. It would have been a classic case of ‘snatch and grab’ but you wouldn’t have found anyone of a Rose persuasion in NDP complaining.

Into the second half and all of the hard work in the first half was unfortunately undone. Only a minute into the half and Zach Robinson managed to get in behind the Rose defence down the right hand side. He managed to cross and find Zak Rudden unmarked in the centre and he finished first time beyond Paddy Martin to give the visitors the lead.

Luke McCowan was next to threaten as he got on the end of a delightful cross field ball from Lyall Cameron, he cut in side and got a strike away but it was right down the throat of Paddy Martin for a comfortable save. If that was a comfortable save, the next one couldn’t have been any different. Scott Tiffoney received the ball wide left, his quick feet got the better of Mailer allowing him to cut inside and unleash a ferocious strike from the edge of the box but he was denied by an incredible reflex save by Martin who tipped it over the bar to safety.

Into the final half an hour and Rose began to threaten, in the hope that they’d punish Dundee for failing to extend their narrow lead. Josh Grigor played a ball over the top of the Dundee defence and with Smart Osadolor looking to get onto it, Owen Beck appeared to cut out the ball with his hand but the linesman was undeterred to the anger of the Rose faithful. JJ and Smart made way and Connolly and McGachie were introduced to the action. Keys was involved instantly as a ball was played up to the big man in the box, as he attempted to control it he appeared to be getting man handled by Shaughnessy but despite the protests, the referee said play on.

Five minutes later and there was more controversy. Dean Watson done brilliantly down the left hand side, his quick feet and skill allowed him to beat the full back and get an excellent cross in for McGachie, just as he was about to get his head on it he appeared to be pulled to the ground. Again, the referee wasn’t interested and play continued. Alieu Faye came on with 15 minutes to go and he was also involved right away. He took advantage of some hesitancy from McCracken in the Dundee goal, blocking his kick but unfortunately the spin on the ball took it harmlessly out of play for a goal kick.

With Rose pushing for the equaliser that would take the game to a penalty shootout for an additional bonus point, substitutes Faye and McGachie combined in stoppage time to create a huge chance. Faye held the ball up well and with his back to goal, he managed to lay it off for McGachie who from just inside the area just had to hit the target. 9/10 the big man would burst the back of the net, but agonisingly on this occasion his effort went uncharacteristically over the bar with the full time whistle sounding shortly after to consign the Rose to back to back narrow defeats against strong opposition.

Despite the result, it was another performance to give great encouragement going into the league season. Against Championship and Premiership opponents, Robbie Horn’s men have looked dangerous, creating chances whilst also looking strong defensively. Next up for the Rose is a trip to fellow League Two side Dumbarton on Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased online HERE, there will also be cash turnstiles on the day. Entry is £15/£10/£5 with kick off at the Rock scheduled for 3pm. The Bonnyrigg Rose Supporters Club still have some seats available on their bus, contact them via their social media accounts to secure your seat. The bus leaves Bonnyrigg (outside the Beetroot) at 12pm.

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