In the first meeting of the local rivals since the 2018 Fife and Lothians Cup final, Bonnyrigg Rose came out on top in the derby against Newtongrange Star to progress to the next round of the Soccer Shop Challenge Cup.

Robbie Horne made six changes to the Rose side that defeated Gretna 2008 in the league last weekend.

There were first starts of the season for Michael Andrews, Dean Hoskins, Ross Gray, Jamie Docherty, and Jordan Smith - it was the striker’s first ever competitive start for the Rose. Dean Brett also returned to the starting XI following an injury sustained on the opening day of the season.

It was an overall cagey start, perhaps to be expected in a derby so steeped in history - Saturday’s meeting was the 261st between the two clubs.

The first genuine bit of quality came in the twelfth minute as Smith fired the Rose into the lead.

Scott Gray delivered a corner from the left that Star failed to get cleared properly, and when the ball fell to Smith the young striker made no mistake in rifling the ball into the top left corner for his second goal in two games.

The only other two big chances of the second half came the way of the visitors. First, Ryan Porteous found himself one-on-one with Andrews in the Rose goal, but the keeper stuck the his leg out to deny the striker. Then, lively wing back Jack Gillan found himself with room in the box following a cross from the right, but his header fell straight into Andrews’ arms.

Docherty asked the Star defence plenty of questions throughout the game, having arguably his best moment towards the end of the first period as he danced past multiple opposition players to reach the byline, but strike partner Smith couldn’t quite get the connection on Doc’s cutback.

The second half offered even fewer clear chances than the first, as the hosts controlled the game while failing to carve out the necessary opportunities to double their lead.

A triple change brought fresh impetus to the Rose side, as Hoskins, Docherty, and goalscorer Smith made way for Neil Martyniuk, Kieran McGachie, and George Hunter.

It wasn’t long before former Star man Hunter had the ball in the back of the net as his header beat Sean Brennan, who enjoyed a brief spell in Bonnyrigg, but the assistant referee raised her flag for offside.

With Star trying to find an equaliser, Rose killed the game in the 82nd minute, courtesy of an expertly placed Bob Wilson header from a delightful Lee Currie free kick. Wilson, who has been imperious since joining the Rose in the summer, grabbed his first goal for the club.

It will be a game looked back on fondly by Danny Stevenson, as the 18-year-old made his maiden appearance for the first team in the 89th minute following a call up to the bench from our U20s side.

Saturday’s win will see the Rose travel to New Western Park to take on WOSFL side Renfrew in the next round on Saturday 21st November.

League business resumes on Wednesday evening with a trip to Stirling to take on the students.

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