It takes a lot to beat a sunny Saturday at New Dundas Park, but the weather only takes you so far. The Rose faithful were out in the hopes of seeing their side prevail over Bo’ness United, and progress to the semi-finals of the South Challenge Cup.

The first real chance came in the 18th minute, with some quick thinking from the Rose. A rapidly taken free-kick was sent into the feet of Dean Brett, who dragged his shot just wide of the far post.

The game sprung into life minutes later, when the visitors screamed for a penalty as Kerr Young challenged Gregor Nicol. The ref waved play on.

Soon though, his whistle was in mouth, but up the other end of the park. With George Hunter impeded to the right of the box, Lee Currie was able to deliver a free kick.
His effort cannonned off the wall, setting up Scott Gray to volley from the edge of the box - the strike soaring inches over the bar.

Rose kept the pressure up in the cup clash, knowing the importance of the opening goal. Hunter cut inside and unleashed a ferocious strike from the left, forcing Andy Murphy to beat the ball away in mid-air. Scott Gray was sniffing around on the follow up, though the result was a Bo’ness goal kick.

Max Christie’s side were now looking to counter, and did so effectively when Michael Gemmell released Kieran Mitchell down the line. The number nine squared to his strike partner Ryan Stevenson, who sorted his feet out well, only to be denied by a colossal block from the day’s skipper Young.

In a blink of a sun-stricken eye, Rose were suddenly ahead. The resulting goal kick from Mikey Andrews arrowed through the centre of the park, releasing Hunter into a one-on-one scenario. Ever composed, the striker dinked the ball over the onrushing Murphy to seal his second goal in consecutive South Challenge Cup rounds.

Not content with their goal lead heading into the interval, the hosts so nearly made it two on the stroke of half-time.

Another Currie delivery from the right troubled the BUs backline, this time sailing to the back-post onto the head of Neil Martyniuk. The centre-half nodded across goal, with Hunter right place, right time again, but the offside flag ruled out the cool finish.

The second period started quietly. Well, until Rose decided to score two goals in three minutes that is.

Again capitalising on the distruption of Andrews, Bonnyrigg proved clinical at the top end of the park. Smart build-up and tough battling saw Scott Gray with ball at feet in the box, before caressing a gorgeous curling effort into the far corner to mark his 150th appearance in sublime style.

Moments later, the man on appearance 151 got in on the act. A Currie free kick found the head of Martyniuk again, but there was no squaring this time, as the defender headed down into the ground and watched the ball spin past Murphy.

It was time to freshen up some legs, with Kieran Hall, Lewis Turner and Nathan Evans entering the fray. The latter almost made an immediate impact when he found himself through on goal, though the big boot of Murphy kept the substitute out on this occasion.

What followed was a relatively comfortable display from the Lowland League champions. Their hunger meant that the quest for a fourth goal remained on, just with perhaps a lesser sense of urgency.

Stevenson did ensure that Andrews had a save of note to make when he fired at goal from a very similar position to Hunter in the first half. His strike was destined for the top corner, but the outstretched Rose keeper was more than equal to the task of maintaining the Rose’s clean sheet.

The full time whistle confirmed Bonnyrigg’s comfortable clinching of a semi-final berth, where they’ll take on familiar foes Spartans at Ainslie Park.

Next up, East Stirlingshire head into town on Trophy Day, as the boys lift the Lowland League title on our final home game of the season next Saturday.