Match report by Amy Canavan.

The blustering wind which swirled around New Dundas Park set the tone for the afternoon – havoc beckoned.

Picking up right where they left off against League 1 side, Queen’s Park, on Tuesday, Bonnyrigg Rose were in the mood.

Wrestling away against defenders, Ross Gray won the first of many free kicks down on the right flank on the 10-minute mark. Taken by Currie, the Students failed to confidently clear the danger, which allowed the lurking Dean Hoskins to head home from the back post, for his third in as many games.

The Gray brothers continuously found joy marauding to the by-line. Just after the half-hour mark, Scott curled a textbook cross onto the head of Callum Connolly. The midfielder didn’t need to move a muscle as he nodded down to Nick Buxton’s left. The Edinburgh Uni goalkeeper stretched out his left foot to try and deny Connolly of his first Rose goal, but to no avail.

With Rose well in their groove, another goal was imminent. All afternoon, their dominance resulted in numerous corners, with Currie, of course, over them all. With a hungry bunch awaiting in the box, all the Uni defenders were focused on the herd and left Hoskins at the back post, again, unmarked. Three headers in three games, The Granton Goose shook things up for this one. Going for sheer power with his left foot, the ball fired across the six-yard box, leaving Buxton helpless.

George Hunter smelt goals. His best opportunity came from a long ball, over the heads of the defenders, from Jonny Stewart. Hunter only had Buxton to beat, but the ‘keeper came rushing out and smothered the ball right in the corner of his box.

Just before the stroke of half-time, the hosts were celebrating their fourth – and it was one worth admiring. Currie’s corner came all the way out to the advancing Kerr Young, who had plenty of time to tee-up his strike. From more than 30 yards out, the defender drilled his shot to the far bottom-left-hand corner. A fine first half in Midlothian.

The unstoppable strike was to be Young’s last contribution, as he was substituted at half-time for newest signing, Nathan Evans. Making his NDP and Lowland League debut, he wasted no time in acquainting himself with his new surroundings.

Ross Gray fed through a perfectly weighted ball for the striker to chase. Buxton came racing out to gather, but the number 18 pinched the ball from his grasp and was left with the dream scenario of an empty net, to slot home his first Bonnyrigg Rose goal.

His non-stop performance warranted a goal, and eventually, Ross Gray was the man of the moment. Toying with the visitors, the build-up play was delightful from Rose – particularly Currie and Hoskins. Assister on this occasion, the latter picked out Gray, who was loitering around the penalty spot, to slam home the sixth of the afternoon.

Not allowing his brother to have the limelight for too long, Scott got in on the act next. Evans chested-down a terrific ball from Currie – a partnership already blossoming – and drove forward before being dispossessed. Gray was there to latch onto the loose ball and drift onwards magically, before finally, spearing the ball into the bottom-left-hand corner.

The solitary dark cloud over the afternoon was that captain, Jonny Stewart was forced off through injury with 12 minutes to go, when the home side had used all their substitutions.
Mikey Andrews had a quiet afternoon, through nothing more than his stellar defensive teammates in front of him. The skilful Patrick Baird tried, on many occasions, to outdo Alan Horne and Bob Wilson, but experience prevailed.

As the sun shone over Bonnyrigg at the blow of the final whistle, Rose were in seventh heaven after a stellar afternoon of work.

Another big week awaits on the road for Robbie Horn’s men, with a trip to Falkirk to face East Stirlingshire on Wednesday, followed by a jaunt to Bo’ness to face former manager, Max Christie’s side.

Article Copyright © 2021. Permission to use quotations from this or any article on the website is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and for online use source credit and hyperlink to www.bonnyriggrosefc.co.uk