Match preview by SEÁN MCGILL

Bonnyrigg Rose kick off their 141st year in existence with the home comforts of New Dundas Park, as they welcome Spartans to Midlothian in the first Lowland League outing of 2022.

After the scheduled New Year’s Day trip down to Berwick was postponed due to medical reasons, Saturday’s clash with the side from the capital gives Robbie Horn’s men the opportunity to extend their 11-game winning streak in league competition. The run was maintained in dramatic fashion last time out, as Keiran McGachie’s header in injury added to Lee Currie’s first half penalty to seal a 2-1 victory over Caledonian Braves on Boxing Day.

Spartans’ most recent fixture also wasn’t able to be carried out, this time due to a frozen pitch at Ainslie Park, scuppering an all-Edinburgh meeting between Dougie Samuel’s side and Civil Service Strollers. It means their last fixture came last Tuesday, in another capital clash with Edinburgh University, with Spartans prevailing 2-1 thanks to goals from Sean Brown and Cammy Russell.

It’s been a strong season so far for the two-time Lowland League champions, currently sitting third in the table having won 16 of their 24 games. The reverse fixture saw the Rose extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points at the time, courtesy of a 2-1 win at Ainslie Park in October. Headed goals from Callum Connolly and former Spartans man Dean Hoskins gave the visitors a comfortable first-half lead, before Sam Newman made it a nervy finish with a late goal, but the Rose still headed home with all three points.

The obvious dangerman in the Spartans side is former Rose frontman Blair Henderson. Only Rangers’ Tony Weston has bettered the striker’s 18 league goals this campaign. In exciting squad news from a Rose perspective, Johnny Brown could feature for the first time since October 2020. A long-term injury looked to have ended Johnny’s career, though his hard work and determination brought about a loan spell to Dundonald Bluebell, which he was recalled from earlier this week, much to the excitement of the Rose faithful who are more than aware of his talents.

Kick-off is 3pm at New Dundas Park on Saturday afternoon, with the game at a sell out under current Scottish Government guidelines. Tickets purchased online will be available for collection between 2-2:45pm. Season tickets are valid.

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