Match Preview

Match day 9 and the end of the first quarter of the season this weekend, as Rose host East Fife at New Dundas Park. There was nothing to separate the two sides in their encounters last season, with one win apiece away from home and the other two ties ending in draws.

Seen by the oddsmakers in the close season as one of the favourites to win their first league title since 2016, the Fife currently sit in 8th place in the league table at this early part of the season. Much like last weeks’ opponents Spartans, half of their league games to date have ended in a share of the spoils with their only win a 2-0 victory over Clyde at New Bayview. Their most recent outing also ended all square at home to Forfar Athletic, with a strike from the evergreen Alan Trouten cancelled out by a late Stuart Morrison effort for the Loons. Summer signing Nathan Austin will be well known to Rose fans and players alike after his spell at Kelty Hearts and those at the away end on Saturday will be hoping a rapid development in the fledgling partnership up front with Scott Shepherd.

The Rose too had to settle for one point last time out when facing The Spartans at Ainslie Park despite being in a commanding position and two goals to the good after the first hour of play through Ross Gray and Lee Currie, which was arguably up to that point their best performance of the season so far. Two goals in a ten minute spell by last Saturday’s hosts put paid to making the short trip back to Midlothian with another away win in the league. There were lots of positives to take from last week however and Robbie Horn and his management team will be looking to instil that into his players to ensure that the quarter ends with a win at home and consolidate Bonnyrigg’s position in the top four places in the cinch league 2 table.

Admission for Saturday's match is PATG £14 adults, £9 concessions (+65, disabled, carer), under 16s £5 and U12s are free accompanied by a paying adult. Cash and card are accepted on all entrance gates, where 50/50 draw tickets (£1 each) and match programmes (£2) will also be on sale. Full details are available on our NDP Guide webpage. Our club shop which is located opposite the main snack bar will be open before the game once gates open at 14:00 and also at half time. Saturday's referee is Greg Soutar and he is assisted by Calum Doyle and Frazer Bushell.

Previous meetings:
• Bonnyrigg Rose 1 – 1 East Fife (Connolly; Trouten) 18/03/23
• East Fife 0 – 0 Bonnyrigg Rose 10/12/22
• Bonnyrigg Rose 1 – 4 East Fife (Connolly; Shiavone (2), Ferguson (2)) 15/10/22
• East Fife 0 – 3 Bonnyrigg Rose (Martyniuk, Brett, Smith) 06/08/22

Last 6 league results

Bonnyrigg Rose
• The Spartans 2 – 2 Bonnyrigg Rose (Gray, Currie)
• Bonnyrigg Rose 0 – 1 Stenhousemuir
• Peterhead 2 – 1 (Martyniuk)
• Bonnyrigg Rose 5 – 1 Elgin City (Martyniuk (2), Grigor, Peggie, Osadolor)
• Forfar Athletic 1 – 2 Bonnyrigg Rose (Martyniuk, Faye)
• Bonnyrigg Rose 1 – 1 Stranraer (Martyniuk)

East Fife
• East Fife 1 – 1 Forfar Athletic (Trouten)
• The Spartans 2 – 2 East Fife (Shepherd, Austin)
• East Fife 2 – 0 Clyde (Shepherd, Trouten)
• Dumbarton 1 – 0 East Fife
• Elgin City 1 – 1 East Fife (Trouten)
• East Fife 0 – 2 Stenhousemuir

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