Match report by Seán McGill

A first goal for the club for Jordan Smith and a Lee Currie penalty gave the Rose their third successive pre-season win, this time against a competitive Penicuik Athletic side at New Dundas Park.

The visitors started well as the Rose found their footing. Some decent link-up play saw Lumbert Kateleza try his luck from 25-yards out, his shot well held by Mark Weir in the Bonnyrigg goal.

Rose grew into the game however, the lively Smith imposing himself on Penicuik backline in the early stages. His first effort saw him turn sharply in the box and release a fierce strike that sailed past Robert Watt’s goal. Some clever footwork saw the striker get another shot away, this one from 20 yards out, but his curling effort was again just wide of the target.

The home side’s best passage of play in the first half very nearly led to the opening goal. Some brilliant one touch passing saw Rose cut through the opposition defence, with Lewis Turner set free and bearing down on goal, but his shot was very well saved by Penicuik’s number one.

The half ended with a few more half chances for both sides. Gregor Lamb watched his speculative effort sail high over Weir’s goal, while Kerr Young couldn’t quite divert his header on target from a Rose set piece that came from some dazzling dribbling from Ross Gray.

Rose started the second half with far more impetus than they did the first, and it wasn’t long before they reaped the benefits. A throw-in high on the right hand side found Turner who then knocked the ball towards Young on the edge of the box.

The defender then showed some outstanding footwork to power through the Penicuik defence before slotting past the onrushing Watt, with the ball stabbed home by Smith for his first Bonnyrigg goal.

It wasn’t long before the net was bulging again after Greg Page was adjudged to have brought down Jamie Docherty in the box, giving the hosts a chance from the spot. Lee Currie made no mistake, sending Watt the wrong way to double the Rose advantage.

It was a fairly quiet night for the Rose ‘keeper, but when Weir was called into action with just under 20minutes to go, he pulled off a fantastic double save to maintain the clean sheet for the hosts. The first came after a beautifully drilled cross from Ryan Baptie evaded the Cuik attackers, while the loose ball was then fired back towards goal, with Weir meeting it strongly to keep the visitors out.

Rose finished the game confidently, looking to seal their second successive 3-0 victory. It wasn’t to be however, as a couple of goalmouth scrambles went the way of Penicuik with the defence managing to clear their lines.

The victory makes it three wins from three for Robbie Horn’s side this pre-season as preparations continue for our Lowland League opener on the 10th October.

Rose: M.Weir, Brown, Young (Stewart 67’), Wilson, Martyniuk, Mair (Brett 60’), R.Gray (N.Weir 72’), Turner, Currie, Hunter (Docherty 45'), Smith (S.Gray 60’)

Att: 0