SFA South Challenge Cup 2nd round

Glasgow University 0 Bonnyrigg Rose 5

Report by John Gilmour

It was a much changed Bonnyrigg side who thumped Glasgow 5 – 0 to reach round 3 of the South Challenge Cup ahead of next weeks Scottish Cup 1st round clash away to Fraserburgh. Boss Robbie Horn was forced to make the changes due to suspensions and holidays but still managed to field a side that in the end proved far too strong for the University side.

“Lee Currie, Dean Brett were both suspended while George Hunter was at a wedding, but I took the chance to give some players much needed game time plus we had some under 20’s squad in the mix as well,” was the Gaffer's response to this game.

Bonnyrigg in the first half struggled to open up a stiff Glasgow defence, being too elaborate in front of goal while creating few real chances. They were never troubled at the back but the lack of penetration was obvious. Finally the deadlock was broken in the 40th minute with a piece of pure football. A low cross to the back post was pulled back by Jonny Brown to Ross Gray who stroked the ball in to the empty net. They doubled their lead only 1 couple of minutes later when Scott Gray curled in a corner which found the net at the near post.

Into the 2nd half and new signing from Tranent, Jamie Devlin smashed the ball off the woodwork twice before finding the net in the 60th minute for his first in a Bonnyrigg shirt. Bonnyrigg were now finding the space their football deserved and with the game won boss Horn introduced his youngsters to great effect. In the 66th minute Scott Gray grabbed his 2nd of the match with a postage stamp effort before the goal which delighted the Bonnyrigg support as youngster Aaron Laidlaw completed the rout with a goal which had under 20’s stamped all over it. Sub Robbie Neave played a super ball into the box for fellow youngster Laidlaw to control before clipping it wide of the keeper for a terrific finish.

In the end it was a comfortable win for the Rose and for 17 year old Aaron Laidlaw a day to remember, “It was great to get that goal for the big team. The under 20’s played last night(Friday night) and we were feeling it at the end but it was great to be involved. Robbie played a good ball to me in the box and I managed a couple of touches before dinking it past the keeper for a goal I’ll remember for years. It’s good that the youngsters are getting a chance with the big team as it gives us something to aim for.”

Managers Interiew.

“We were forced into changes today and we wanted to give some players a rest and others game time so it worked out for us. We took a while to really settle with so many changes but I’m delighted with the performance from everyone today. We kept a clean sheet, there were injuries ahead of the game against Fraserburgh and we’ve seen how important our youngsters are to the team. They train with us and they are comfortable playing with the more experienced lads in the squad but the experienced lads are comfortable with them also. We signed Jamie(Devlin) from Tranent and he gives us more up front. It was a good afternoon’s work for us today and we move on to next week.”

Glasgow University: Fulton, Divan, J Thomson, Mann, Morgan, Blair, Sis, String, D Thomson, Wight, Last. Subs: Paul, Colville, Dibble, McGuire, Smith.

Bonnyrigg Rose: Andrews, Brown, Martyniuk, Horne (Laidlaw 77), Baur (N Weir 77), Moyes, Stewart (Neave 67), R Gray, S Gray, Docherty, Devlin. Subs not used: Turner, Young, M Weir, McGachie.

Bookings: Glasgow, Wight,