Under the lights on a cold very wet afternoon 10 man Bonnyrigg Rose produced a magnificent performance to see off the challenge from in form League 1 side Montrose before a packed New Dundas Park to once again proudly stake their place in the 4th round of Scottish Cup. The atmosphere the over 2000 supporters created under the lights was electric, with the inspiration from the home support vital to the success of gaffer Robbie Horn’s players, who responded in kind with the sheer grit and determination that has been their calling card for several seasons now and which ultimately saw them seal a victory and in turn a place in the draw for the next round.

“I’ve said it so many times before the spirit of this squad of players is incredible. The support we received from kick off to the final whistle was really inspiring and the players appreciate that. The conditions today helped create a real old fashioned game of football, both teams putting so much effort in to it with no quarters given. It wasn't pretty but I bet for a supporter and a neutral it was exciting to watch. I'm a very proud man tonight,” was Robbie’s response to the result.

As expected Montrose started the game looking good with the Rose defence on the back foot from the kick off. Rose keeper Mark Weir had to look smart saving an early Montrose free kick but slightly against the run of play Bonnyrigg took the lead in the 18th minute with another trademark Rose free kick and finish. Lee Currie drilled over the free kick out wide left straight to the head of Ewan Moyes at the back stick and his header looped back into the top corner sent the home support into raptures. The Rose then had a very good Ross Gray goal ruled out for offside although it was a Montrose player who had the last touch. Montrose battled back but found the Rose defence very mean indeed, giving nothing away as the half time whistle drew near. However there was still plenty of time for the dramatics to continue because in the 43rd minute the visitors equalised when Ross Campbell slid the ball home from a cut back. The drama wasn’t finished though as right on the half time whistle Bonnyrigg grabbed the lead again. Alan Horne played a terrific one two with Jonny Brown into the Montrose 6 yard box allowing Brown to slide the ball under the keeper and into the net right on the stroke of half time; a super finish to an opening 45 minutes.

Bonnyrigg took the game to Montrose from the start of the second half and created several chances to increase their lead; strikers George Hunter and Ross Gray both working their socks off taking the pressure of their defence. The latter had a second goal ruled out for offside, albeit harshly, as the game started to crackle. Montrose knew they had a real battle to stay in the Cup and some tackles became reckless. However in the 68th minute it was Bonnyrigg who were the ones who paid the price as after a lunging tackle it was Kerr Young who received a second booking and was sent off leaving the Rose with over 20 minutes to play with 10 men. Gaffer Robbie Horn decided to make substitutions with Scott Gray coming on for brother Ross and a welcome return after a long lay off for frontman Keiran McGachiem who replaced George Hunter. There was no way back now for Montrose although they tried hard to find an opening. When they did find that opening it was keeper Mark Weir who stood tall and his block in the dying minutes epitomised the whole team ethic visible throughout the whole game.

In the end it was a terrific performance from Bonnyrigg with everyone playing their part in a very impressive victory as they now take their place once again in the draw for the 4th round of the Scottish Cup.

Full back and scorer of the decisive goal, for the second game on the bounce Jonny Brown was over the moon with the teams’ performance, “I got the winner but this was a team today. We all play together and win lose or draw together. It doesn’t matter who scores as long as we score. Everyone plays their part from the starting line up to the lads on the bench we play as one and win as one. We were down to ten men for a while but we all battled hard to keep them out and we all played a part in that, I’m very proud to be a part of the team that we have.”

Robbie’s Interview.

“It's a fantastic result for the Football club and the players deserve immense credit for the way they played. Everyone played their part in this win from the players, committee and of course the fantastic support we had here today. To think a couple of weeks ago we lost at Dunipace and we asked them for a reaction and boy have they responded. The conditions today weren’t for silky soccer but we adapted fantastically well and got the result we wanted. I would like to thank the supporters for the unbelievable backing we got again today and we now look forward to a good draw in the next round.”
Bonnyrigg: Weir, Brett, Brown, Young, Moyes, Martynuik, Stewart (Baur), Currie, Horne, Hunter (McGachie), R Gray (S Gray). Subs: Andrews, Swanson, Docherty, Devlin.

Montrose: Fleming, Ballantyne, Steeves, I Campbell, Waddell, Masson, Lyons, Watson (Rennie), Webster, R Campbell, Callaghan (Niang). Subs: Dillon, Allan, MacBeath, Johnston, Lennox.

Bookings: Montrose: Webster, Waddell.Ballantyne, Lyons
Bonnyrigg: Currie, Young, Brett, Brown, McGachie.

Sending Off: Bonnyrigg: Young.