Report by Cameron Wanstall

The opening day of a brand new season at NDP. Does it get any better?

Well, yes, it does actually as we started off this campaign at the ‘other’ NDP, which is a fair trek along the M8 in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. Not quite absolute perfection then, but Bonnyrigg Rose are finally back with a truly historic campaign ahead. And that is all that matters.

In their new ground for the upcoming season – while also going through a major squad overhaul, proven by the seven new summer recruits within their starting eleven – cinch League One side Clyde were our hosts for the evening. The sun was out (not for long, mind you) to welcome the Rose as we started out on our maiden Premier Sports Cup campaign.

Gaffer Robbie Horn had a handful of selection issues with certain players injured or unavailable for selection. The most notable selection choice was the inclusion of young defender Josh Grigor, who started in the middle of the back three on his competitive Rose debut following his official arrival on Monday evening.

The former Stenny man started strong alongside his centre-back compatriots, keeping out any and all Clyde attacks for over ten minutes until Ross Cunningham tested ‘keeper Mikey Andrews. His fierce strike from 25 yards was too central to trouble our starting shot-stopper and was held onto with ease.

It took seven minutes for another chance to fall when Conner Duthie blazed a tricky-to-take effort on the turn over the crossbar, squandering all of Jordan Allan’s hard work down the right flank to set him up.

Despite the two early chances for the hosts, Rose were still quietly in control of the tie and soon, the big man broke the deadlock. Kieran Hall, working tirelessly as ever, nabbed the ball away from a complacent Clyde centre-half and calmly rolled the ball into the path of ex-Clyde man Keiran McGachie, who made no mistake in placing the ball in the far corner of the net.

With our first ever League Cup goal in the bag, the boys pushed on for another. And quickly got it.

Minutes after setting up Keys, our very own Geordie pounced to grab a goal of his own. Kerr Young rose highest to meet Lewis Turner’s inswinging corner, forcing a frenzied parry from Clyde number one Josh Bradley Hurst. His reaction stop only fell as far as the feet of Hall and the forward prodded the ball home to double Rose’s advantage.

A third so nearly came just five minutes later when a long free-kick into the mixer troubled Bradley Hurst in the air, forcing the ‘keeper to drop the ball into the path of young debutant Grigor. The defender just couldn’t get his body over the ball quick enough to keep it down, however, and could only watch as a potential dream debut strike whizzed just over the bar.

With half-time nearing, Hall nearly grabbed a brace when he latched onto a loose ball in the final third, bore down on goal and curled his effort just wide of the mark from a dangerous one-on-one situation.

Despite experiencing large periods of dominance in the first 45, Clyde cut the deficit in half with just seconds to spare before the interval. Barry Cuddihy expertly teed up Cunningham neatly and the forward unleashed a devastating strike that left Andrews with simply no chance.

The second half started with a scare – with a spectacular Andrews stop needed to keep out a deflating equaliser. A perfectly-positioned outstretched leg from our man between the sticks was the only thing that prevented Allan from dispatching a gilt-edged chance from inside the penalty area.

Clyde left-back Andy Rodden almost re-extended the Rose lead to three when his heroic last gasp clearance at the back post, forced by a quality cross from the left peg of Young with Hall the intended target, was very nearly turned into his own net.

Only moments later, McGachie was hauled (or pushed, or shoved, or wrestled – you get the jist) down in the penalty area. No penalty. Frustrating? Sure. But the Rose persevered.

Former Heart of Midlothian midfielder Morgaro Gomis came agonisingly close for the hosts shortly after. From 20 yards out, the two-time Senegal international unleashed a lethal left-footed volley that flashed just past the post.

Fresh legs were very much in dire need during the latter stages of the tiring tie. Both Conor Doan and Kevin Smith were introduced from the bench to make their competitive Rose debuts and each gave their all to help see the game out.

A final chance came for the hosts with only three minutes remaining. A rapid counter attack ended with a low cross whipped across the face of goal from the right wing. The ball was just waiting to be stabbed into the gaping net, but eluded an outstretched Cunningham at the back post by mere inches.

And so, the boys held on. A maiden League Cup appearance has brought with it a maiden League Cup victory. Yet another historic moment in a year jam packed with many historic moments.

Taking on League One opposition with a squad still reassembling for pre-season was just one hurdle overcome. Now, the attention turns to Sunday. Bonnyrigg Rose versus Hibernian, at New Dundas Park, on the telly.

In our unbiased opinion it’s the tie of the round, you absolutely won’t want to miss it.

‘Mon the Rose!

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