Rose win opening day encounter vs Celtic B

Goals from Lee Currie and George Hunter ensured that all three points stayed in Midlothian as Robbie Horn's side overcame a Celtic B side that grew in confidence as the game went on, meaning the Rose get off to the best possible start in this Lowland League opener.

Due to the level 2 restrictions in Midlothian at present, a small crowd were able to witness a game that could easily have sold out if requests received from both sets of supporters in the past week is any sort of indicator. That said, it was great to have some supporters back at New Dundas Park for a competitive fixture for the first time in nearly 500 days.

It was a tentative opening 15 minutes which was always to be expected from two sides who had never met each other previously. The game then sparked into life on 19 minutes when a Currie strike thudded off Oluwayemi's post with the big keeper beaten but the ball stayed out. The midfielder wasn't to be denied however and five minutes later he put the home side ahead. Good work from Young on the right flank ended with a cross from the defender to CURRIE, who controlled the ball before unleashing an unstoppable half volley from just outside the large rectangle.

Ten minutes later it was the post that once again came to the Celtic youngsters rescue as a Wilson header from a Currie corner smacked off the same post and away from danger. With five minutes to go to the interval the biggest talking point of the opening period was when Wylie could count himself as fortunate to receive only a caution from referee Steven Reid for hauling down Scott Gray, with the midfielder having a clear run at the Celtic goal in what looked like a case of denial of a goalscoring opportunity. Rose went into the half time break however just the one goal ahead, which didn't reflect the balance of play for that period.

Robbie Horn had to make a change at half time with Neil Martyniuk replacing the injured Alan Horne. Five minutes later and another injury forced Celtic into a substitution of their own, with Oluwayemi coming off the worst when colliding into Paterson on attempting to clear the ball from danger. His replacement Mullen was almost immediately called into action when he could only palm a Brett cross into the direction of HUNTER, who did well under pressure from the Celtic defense to force the ball home and double Rose's lead.

Celtic made their second change when Jackson replaced the injured Murphy on the hour mark and when play resumed the away side had reduced the deficit by half. The Rose defense were unusally caught off guard from a set piece, with Letsosa's cross slid into the net by recent signing LAWAL. That goal spurred on the away side as Bonnyrigg started to sit deeper in defense. Paterson did well to carve out a chance for himself after weaving his way into the box but dragged his shot wide. With five minutes of normal time remaining Celtic thought they had equalised through the head of Vata, only to look across at the referee's assistant whose flag was raised due to the ball going out of play in the build up. A let off for Rose, whose supporters could finally celebrate a win after ten minutes of additional time was played.

A winning start is all that could be asked for and the side will now focus on the two away games this week, with trips to face Cumbernauld Colts and Civil Service Strollers respectively. It was a good time to catch the youngsters of Celtic, who will only get stronger as they get used to playing with each other and who have another seven players still to add to their squad of fifteen who were listed yesterday.

Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic: Adams, Brett, Young, Horne (Martyniuk 45), Wilson, Barrett, Stewart, Currie, S.Gray, McGachie (Connolly 92), Hunter (R.Gray 71).
Subs not used: Andrews, Martyniuk, Hoskins, Turner, Hall

Celtic B: Oluwayemi (Mullen 49); Paterson, Otoo, Lawal, Murphy (Jackson 59), Wylie, Carse, Letsosa, Vata, Davidson, Dobbie
Subs not used: Robertson, Deane

Yellow cards: Currie (Bonnyrigg), Wylie, Lawal (Celtic B). Red cards: None.

Match officials: Ref: Steven Reid, AR1: Colin McAlpine, AR2: Jamie Reekie

Att: 250

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