League match day eight sees Bonnyrigg return to New Dundas Park to face the visit of Dunipace. This is the first league encounter between the two sides, given that the Pace are the only new side in the EoS this season to have migrated from the West Junior Leagues (an anomaly given they are just 4 miles from Camelon). However, the two sides have met in Scottish Junior Cup action over the years, the last time back in 2005 in the SJC 2nd round, with the Rose ending victorious on that occasion 5-3 (having at one stage been 5-0 up). Bonnyrigg would reach the last 16 stage of the SJC that season, bowing out to Clydebank, who have deferred entry to the EoS league until next season. The Rose were however one of Dunipace's victims en route lifting the Scottish Junior Cup for the first and only time in 1905/06.
The away side have moved back into their regenerated New Westfield Park, where the surface has changed from grass to synthetic. A lot of hard work has had to have happened in order for that to have taken place but no doubt they will reap the rewards of doing so. In the reverse fixture at New Westfield Park the two teams will kick off the annual "groundhop" weekend on Friday night of March 29th under the devil's lanterns. (Groundhop weekend consists of numerous visitors to a scheduled weekend of fixtures on the Friday - Sunday once a year for people to take in new grounds, collect programmes etc. - football nomads if you will, who normally travel in good numbers).
On the park Gary MacMillan's side have picked up three points from their six league games to date, with their sole victory coming on their first league outing at Warner Park against Eyemouth Utd. They reached the last eight of the Alex Jack Cup, bowing out to Broxburn Athletic and are still in the League Cup. The were narrowly defeated on Wednesday by their new derby rivals Camelon 2-1 in the Qualifying Cup.
Saturday will see David Burrell enter the dugout for the first time in his second coming, having been suspended for the victory last week at Saughton v LTHV. Kerr Young is out of Saturday's game also due to suspension, given his two yellow cards last week. There were a few knocks picked up last week which should see at least a couple of the squad sit this one out. The Rose over the past few years have usually worked with a small squad of players (currently at 18 excl loans out) but it gives other players the opportunity to try and cement a starting place and impress the new man in the dugout. As always with these league encounters three points is vital given the amount of league games to play in Conference B this season, and the manager will be keen to end the day on his return still sitting at the top of the table come 16:30 on Saturday.
There will be current and ex servicemen from the 2009 coaches and some of their squad selling poppies on Saturday from 13:30 when the gates open as part of the annual poppyscotland appeal. Match ball sponsors for the game are the Bonnyrigg Rose 2009s.