Spartans defeated Celtic B with a last-minute winner on Wednesday. The Rose put 13 past Vale of Leithen without reply that very same evening. Both sides understandably came into this clash in high spirits and in the top two positions of the Lowland League.

Robbie Horn made six changes to the record breaking side that started in Innerleithen. Mikey Andrews returned in goal while Dean Brett, Alan Horne, Neil Martyniuk, Lewis Turner and George Hunter replaced half of the outfielders from Wednesday’s rout.

Despite all the excitement in the build-up, nothing particular of note occurred in the opening ten minutes. However, the fantastic travelling Rose support were fair treated in the 11th minute when the Granton Goose pounced to put Bonnyrigg ahead.

Lee Currie swung in a dangerous corner toward the back post, where former Spartans man Dean Hoskins was lurking. The veteran wing-back brushed off his marker and rose highest to knock the ball beyond Spartans ‘keeper Jack Newman.

Spartans created few shooting opportunities in the first-half against a stellar Rose backline, with a Cammy Russell half-chance that trailed wide being the best opportunity that fell to the hosts in the opening 45.

Rose continued to control the tie and had a few chances to double their lead following the opener. Dean Brett was unlucky to see a sweet half-volley tipped over by Newman, a hooked lob from Lewis Turner sailed over and another Hoskins header threatened to ripple the net but, unfortunately, zipped just wide off the post instead.

The lead was soon doubled, anyhow. Another typical perfect, inswinging Currie delivery into the mixer - this time coming from a wide free-kick - was nodded in by Callum Connolly from close range after the midfielder worked hard to break away from his jostling marker.

Kieran Hall came close to extending Rose’s two-goal cushion seven minutes after the restart. Brett battled hard on the wing to find enough space to whip a dangerous cross into the penalty area but Hall’s glancing header drifted wide.

Evident from the lack of Twitter updates from either side, there was not a lot going on until the final ten minutes. Bonnyrigg looked settled in possession as Spartans pushed harder for a way back into the tie. Mikey Andrews expertly dealt the ball whenever it entered the Rose danger area, while the defenders ahead of him swept up any threats and the industrious pressing of the midfielders and forwards further up the park never gave the opposition a second to breathe.

So, we fast forward a good, literal 30 minutes... and George Hunter came just inches away from becoming the second former Spartans alum to find the net with eight minutes left to play. The forward was tripped while advancing in on goal and stood over the resulting free-kick from 25 yards out; Hunter sweetly struck the ball beyond the wall and the ‘keeper, but was thwarted by the pesky crossbar.

Just when the game looked settled with two minutes to go, Spartans sprung a late assault. Andrews rushed out his comfort zone to clear a long, searching ball from loanee Finn Robson but was beaten to the punch by substitute Sam Newman. The youngster snuck past Andrews and tapped the ball into the empty net to set up a nervy last few minutes.

Thankfully, the resilient Rose backline refused to yield. For what really did feel like an eternity, Spartans threw bodies and Hail Mary balls forward but their efforts proved futile.

The ecstatic Rose faithful were relieved when the final whistle eventually blew, as a well deserved three points were confirmed and on their way back to NDP.

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