It is really great to be home… If New Dundas Park can withstand Storm Eunice to pass tomorrow’s 9am pitch inspection that is.

Postponements have been a continual thorn in Rose’s side as of late, with away day trips to Arthurlie (in the South Challenge Cup), Berwick Rangers and Dalbeattie Star all now rearranged for next month.

We can only cross our fingers and hope for an EH19 return for the first time in a long, long time – with a gritty draw against Spartans on 8th January being the last time Rose set foot on home turf.

Bonnyrigg Rose’s last outing came on Tuesday evening after a 17 day period without a fixture and, to be frank, it wasn’t a game anyone will want to remember in a hurry. In his customary post-match interview, Robbie was quick to lament his side’s “unacceptable” performance as Gala Fairydean Rovers blew away the Rose to secure a spot in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup fifth round.

The Rovers were a nuisance from the first whistle and the Rose found themselves two goals down within the opening ten minutes at Netherdale. Kerr Young struck in the 15th minute to grant a stunned Rose a lifeline but any hope was soon lost as the unsparing hosts took up a three-goal lead by half-time. A dazed ten-man Rose eventually succumbed to a 5-1 defeat.

Thankfully, this is a very uncharacteristic result for the Rose who, before Tuesday, had only lost three games in 90 minutes this season in all competitions. The return of league action to NDP to face Bo’ness United will give Robbie Horn’s men an immediate opportunity to bounce back.

Bo’ness, now fully settled into the Lowland League after their first season following promotion was curtailed, currently sit in 12th place and hold various games in hand around the majority of the teams around them in the standings.

Recent form has been disappointing for the BU’s, however, with only one win in their last seven league outings. That sole victory, over Cumbernauld Colts, is surrounded by heavy defeats to Berwick Rangers and Celtic B, two points from a possible nine against both Uni sides, and a narrow loss to bottom-place Vale of Leithen – Vale’s only league win to date.

The last meeting between Bonnyrigg Rose and Max Christie’s side was in late August at a drizzly Newtown Park. A header from Callum Connolly and a sublime 25-yard top corner ping courtesy of Lewis Turner gave the Rose a comfortable lead before a late Zander Miller penalty provided an unwelcome nervy end to the game for the visitors, who managed to hold out for a 2-1 win.

Kick-off is 3pm at New Dundas Park on Saturday afternoon. Price of admission is £7 for adults, £4 for concessions, and under-12’s gain entry for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

‘Mon the Rose!

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