Match Report by Amy Canavan

Bonnyrigg Rose made it three wins from three to maintain their perfect start to the Lowland League today as they put aside Gretna 2008.

Both sides failed to produce any clear-cut chances in the opening 15 minutes, in a very open start at a cold New Dundas Park. George Hunter made a few runs in and behind the Gretna defence but was unable to trouble goalkeeper Aaron Taylor.

The first real effort of the game came from the visitors 20 minutes in, as Shaun Rodgers cut in from the right and drove a shot along the deck, forcing Mark Weir into a strong save. It marked a well needed wake-up-call for the Rose, and from there on, the home side looked a little bit more like themselves.

On his 200th appearance for the club, Keiran McGachie held the ball up well all afternoon and on the 25-minute mark, began a tidy move for the home side. The striker teed up Lee Currie to pick out Scott Gray on the far right, who in turn, made a nice one-two with George Hunter, as the latter back heeled him back in to unleash his shot, however, it was well saved by Taylor.

The two strikers, Hunter and McGachie, continued to link up well and dominate the Gretna defence. Just before the half-hour mark, the former picked out his partner perfectly on the edge of the six-yard box but the number 9’s header just glanced over the bar.

However, the Rose weren’t having it all their own way and by failing to put their chances away, Gretna were still well in the game. The visitors won a free kick 20-yards out and in a well-worked move, flicked the ball into the path of captain, Bryan Gilfillan, who’s effort was heading in, if it wasn’t for Weir producing another terrific save.

From one captain to the other, with 37 minutes on the clock, Jonny Stewart broke the deadlock. Right on the edge of the D, after a flurry of rebounds, the Rose skipper cannoned his shot low beyond the ‘keepers left to put his side ahead.

As the first half drew to a close, the home side looked certain to double their advantage. Lewis Turner found McGachie once again but his well struck shot was stopped by Taylor, as the home side went into the break, one goal to the good.

Gretna came flying out of the traps in the second half. Two minutes in, and persistent pressing down the left led Andy Mair into conceding a penalty. Jordan Irving, who has converted two penalties this campaign already, was denied his third consecutive league goal as Weir guessed correctly and parried the strike to his left, away to ensure the home side maintained their lead.

A lead which was again, nearly doubled, but this time, in a roles reversed move. McGachie’s cross found the head of Turner, who’s effort ricocheted off the post, kindly into the arms of the grateful Taylor. It proceeded to be the number 7’s last action of the game as he and Hunter made way for Ross Gray and Jamie Docherty. In the midst of Rose’s dominance, Gilfillan picked up a booking for dissent as he verbalised his anger too much to the linesman for the referee’s liking.

The following 10 minutes were somewhat of a lull period, with neither side offering much at all. As frustration grew amongst the away side, who were not seeing a lot of the ball, Gilfillan hauled down Lee Currie in the middle of the park and left the referee with no choice but to show him his second yellow of the afternoon.

In a well needed shake up, the visitors brought on the powerful Joseph Jackson. However, the Canadian will not be wanting to dwell on his appearance too much. Currie’s free-kick was delivered right into the danger area, and as it caused all sorts of trouble for the Gretna defence. Jackson saw his first touch of the match, end up in his own net to give Bonnyrigg Rose a well deserved two goal advantage.

Robbie Horn brought on more fresh legs as his side doubled their lead. McGachie made way for Jordan Smith and Mair was replaced by Dean Hoskins, for his second debut with the club.

Youngster Smith made almost an instant impact. In terrific hold up play, he turned Connor Liddell on the half-way-line before driving in on goal and unleashing his shot, however it was saved strongly by Taylor.

Albeit, the substitute didn’t give up and persevered in his pursuit for goal until the final minute, with help from fellow replacement, Hoskins. The Granton Goose picked up the ball on the left and slipped it into the path of Smith, who deceived Taylor before slotting past him, to get off the mark for the season and round up the action for the day.

Victory today makes it three clean sheets and nine points from nine for Horn’s side as they enter a bit of a break from Lowland League action. Focus turns to next Saturday’s local derby against Newtongrange Star in the Challenge Cup.

Bonnyrigg Rose: Weir, Young, Wilson, Martyniuk, Mair (Hoskins ’72) , S.Gray, Stewart, Currie, Turner (R.Gray ’58) , Hunter (Docherty ’58), McGachie (Smith ’69)

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