Robbie Horn couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the season than what his players gave him today, as a trip to the Borders included four goals and a clean sheet on the opening day of the campaign in Galashiels.

In a typical season opener, it was a frantic and lively start down at Netherdale, with both sides having glimpses at goal in the opening 15 minutes. Scott Gray had the first chance of the match as he found a few yards of space on the edge of the box to unleash his shot which just dragged past the post while the hosts forced Mark Weir into a fine save down to his left through captain, Danny Galbraith.

13 minutes on the clock and there were huge penalty shouts from Rose. Following some terrific pressing from Keiran McGachie, which saw him turn the defender and nick the ball, he was wiped out by rushing Gala ‘keeper Fraser Morton and brought to the ground, yet, to the shock of the Rose bench, the referee waved on.

The opening half hour remained cagey until the home side’s Scott Taylor Mackenzie, rattled the crossbar from 30 yards out, truly marking the beginning of the game. The playmaker had another chance to test Weir moments later as the home side won a free kick on the edge of the box, however he failed to work the ‘keeper this time round.

As the half drew into the final 10 minutes, Rose grew into the game. Gray’s low driven shot forced Morton to concede a corner 37 minutes in. Lee Currie’s delightful delivery caused the Gala defence all sorts of trouble and culminated in a handball and penalty being awarded. Up stepped dead-ball specialist Currie, who fired the visitors into the lead, sending the ‘keeper wrong-sided to his left.

McGachie and George Hunter continued to cause the back-line havoc, with the former twisting and turning before being hauled down in the box, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot again. Morton guessed right this time, as Currie aimed for the opposite corner but saw his shot parried away. However, in a moment of confusion, screams from the Rose bench encouraged the referee to consult his linesman, whose flag was raised, as Morton was off his line when Currie stepped up, forcing a retake of the spot kick. As with his first, the number 10 made no mistake to extend Rose’s lead with a cheeky Panenka finish.

Into the second half and Rose dominated possession whilst playing some splendid football. Johnny Brown found continual success down the left flank and just after the hour mark, was picked out by Hunter, after a nice nutmeg, to deliver a deep cross into the six-yard-box, from the byline, to be met by the arriving Gray for an easy tap-in home in his last piece of action.

Gray and McGachie made way for Jamie Docherty and Lewis Turner with 25 minutes remaining and made instant impacts with their pace. Currie was teed up for yet another pop at goal from 20 yards out but saw his shot swallowed up by Morton as their dominance of the ball continued. Bonnyrigg made further changes which saw captain Jonny Stewart and the lively Brown make way for Ross Gray and Andy Mair with 15 minutes to go.

As all three points seemed a certainty, holding on tight for a clean sheet seemed to be the only icing on the cake needed, but Docherty clearly had other ideas. A long ball over the top, which had caused the Gala defence issues all afternoon, was brought down eloquently by the substitute, who dragged Morton out to the left of his area and chipped the ball over him into the far right netting from the most acute angle to score the fourth and final goal of the day to send the visitors back up the road with all three points.

Rose make their home debut in this Lowland League campaign on Tuesday as they face Caledonian Braves at New Dundas Park.

Bonnyrigg Rose: Weir, Brett, Young, Wilson, Martyniuk, Brown (Mair ’73) , Stewart (R.Gray 73’), Currie, S.Gray (Turner 67’) , Hunter, McGachie (Docherty 65’)

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