Ladies and gentlemen, Trophy Day is upon us!

But before the celebrations can begin, there’s a game to play as Bonnyrigg Rose welcome East Stirlingshire to New Dundas Park for the penultimate league game of the 2021/22 Lowland League season.

As the upcoming play-off versus the still undecided Highland League champions edges closer, Robbie Horn and his men are looking to end the league campaign in top form. Thankfully, results have been in our favour as of late – with a league win versus Rangers B succeeded by a comfortable South Challenge Cup quarter-final victory over Bo’ness United last weekend.

In the blink of an eye, ‘keeper Mikey Andrews transformed from shot stopper to goal provider when his drop kick sent George Hunter through on goal, with the forward calmly dinking the ball past The BU’s number one Andy Murphy to open the scoring.

On a landmark 150th appearance for the club, Scott Gray slammed home a sensational second. Teed up by his elder brother Ross, the younger Gray curled in a sublime finish from outside the area to double Rose's lead.

A typically inch-perfect Lee Currie set piece unsurprisingly played a role in the tie, with his delivery from a wide free-kick meeting the head of defender Neil Martyniuk to wrap up the game. With a 3-0 win in the bag, the Rosey Posey are semi-final bound. But back to league action we go.

Rose have faced off against East Stirlingshire twice this season, with victories coming home from Falkirk Stadium to EH19 on each occasion.

A fiery midweek league clash in mid-August was decided by just a single goal. Rose had struggled to break down a resilient Shire backline until Keiran McGachie nodded home from close range to secure a crucial early season 1-0 win for Rose.

The next meeting, in the second round of the Scottish Cup, wasn’t quite as arduous for the lads in red and white hoops. An elementary 3-0 victory began with an early Kerr Young strike from range, before a back post header from Bradley Barrett and a wonderful solo goal from Hunter – that my words simply can’t glorify enough – sealing our spot in the third round.

It has been a while since the two sides met, however, with that cup meeting taking place in October. The Shire still remain in the top half of the league standings – currently situated in 8th place – and are looking to make it ten games unbeaten in all competitions at NDP.

Four wins and five draws have kept the Shire in the top half, as well as secured top spot in their regional Lowland League Cup group. Seven clean sheets, including shutouts against clinical sides such as Rangers B and Spartans, are a testament to the rigid defensive set up employed by manager Derek Ure that we will surely see on Saturday afternoon.

Now, for ticket information because there’s plenty of exciting details to run through. Price of admission is £7 for adults and £4 for concessions (Over 65s, 12-17, disabled, carer), while under 12’s with a paying adult go free.

To further celebrate our trophy presentation, all Rose Community Club boys and girls go free if they turn up in their playing kit (we would love to see a sea of red and white at the game).

There is a promotion for adults too, with the ability to buy one, get one free on production of a valid legible National Lottery ticket as part of the National Lottery football weekends. Terms, conditions and limits apply. (Our limit is 100 tickets).

A special official match programme will also be available for purchase. Furthermore, a general sale will also be in place for the upcoming play-off tie at the game.

Be sure to get along on Saturday to witness history as Bonnyrigg Rose lift the Lowland League title trophy. See you there, folks!

Article Copyright © 2022. 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