Match Report by Amy Canavan

Sun shining? Kinda. Match day? Yes please. Pitch perfect? Definitely.

The tone of the match was set in its infancy. Strap yourselves in.

There were strong calls early on for a penalty with a high foot to Dean Hoskins’ head, but the referee deemed the foul just outside the box. Dean Brett took the resulting free kick but the East Kilbride wall stood strong.

Hoskins found continual joy down the left flank in the first half and was picked out superbly by Kerr Young just after a quarter of an hour of play. The Granton Goose cut inside and unleashed a fierce shot from his right-foot, which rose agonisingly high of the crossbar.

Young himself had the next shot at goal, similarly to Hoskins, he saw his effort thunder over the bar. As was the same for Callum Connolly. His headed attempt from Neil Martyniuk’s free kick grazed high.

It wasn’t all going the home side’s way however with East Kilbride creating chances of their own. Mikey Andrews, however, commanded his area expertly well all afternoon and will rightly receive plaudits for it.

Just prior to the half-hour mark, Bonnyrigg Rose’s pressure paid off. Keiran McGachie was hauled down by Conor Brennan, leaving the referee with no choice other than to point to the spot. With no Lee Currie, George Hunter hovered over the ball. He saw his strike down the middle of the goal saved by Brennan, but his rebounded attempt found the roof of the net convincingly.

In search of his second of the afternoon, Hunter released a zinged effort from the edge of the box on the far right, but as the silent story of the first half went – you’ve guessed it – his shot went harrowingly high.

Brett continued to toy with the Kilby defenders, and after linking up beautifully with McGachie, he executed a near-perfect, outside of the boot, shot, which bounced off the far post painfully.

Chances swung in the direction of the visitors again for a spell before half-time. Joao Victoria forced Andrews into two strong saves – one with his feet before smothering a second strike to his low left.

An action packed first half ended the way it started… sort of. The experienced Lee Miller was staring down an empty net before the incoming Brett fouled him in advance of freeing his shot. Brett was subsequently booked and Neil McLaughlin slotted home the resulting penalty. Honours even at half time.

Chris Aitken’s side picked up from where they left off in the first half. McLaughlin whipped a delicate ball into the box which met the head of Victoria, but his effort zipped wide.

And then, natural order resumed.

On his 200th appearance for the club, Young chipped a delightful ball into the path of McGachie, who outpowered his man before rattling a volleyed strike past the helpless Brennan.
Soon after, Robbie Horn was forced to turn to his bench. Bringing on Bradley Barrett for Martyniuk. Not a bad addition, mind you.

End to end stuff at New Dundas Park prevailed. Substitute Daniel McManus’ attempt to poke home was dominantly gathered by Andrews, who faced a busy spell of play between the Rose posts.

McGachie lapped up the applause from The Shed as he exited the pitch for Scott Gray following a terrific shift. Gray nearly made an instant impact, channelling his inner McGachie, he volleyed an effort with his firs touch of the ball, which sailed excruciatingly over the bar.

As always, he led by example all afternoon, but within the final 10 minutes of the match, skipper Jonny Stewart was forced off. On came midweek hattrick hero, Nathan Evans, who dually added some well needed pace.

The substitutes, Barrett and Gray, linked up outstandingly well as the former drove down the left flank before slipping in his teammate on the far side. In turn, the oncoming Brett was tee’d up, but he couldn’t keep his shot down.

Clocks were being glared at all around the ground as we were deep into injury time. Kilby, delivery after delivery were cleared by the resolute Rose defence. After scuppering a pair of chances moments before on the break, Barrett was not to make the mistake for the third time.

Fed in timelessly by Hunter, Barrett outpaced and outshone all on the drive towards the East Kilbride goal. With only Brennan to beat from a tight left-sided angle, he smashed the ball home.

The Shed – rocking. Barrett – knee sliding. Rose – celebrating.

The 500+ inside NDP were treated to a beautiful result, on a beautiful Saturday, courtesy, of a beautiful surface.

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