Match Preview

A return to New Dundas Park as Elgin City make the long trip to Midlothian this weekend. In the games between the two sides last season the honours were shared, with City winning the first two encounters 2-0 through goals from Cameron and Hester on our first trip to Elgin and 3-2 at NDP aided by a Dingwall hat-trick after surviving a late onslaught from the home side. The Rose however got the better of the last two meetings, with a late Kerr Young header being the difference between the two sides at Borough Briggs and a crowd of over 2,000 saw the Rose secure their SPFL for another season through strikes from Scott Gray and a double from Keiran McGachie in our last cinch league two fixture of the season.

City player-manager Ross Draper has kept with the nucleus of the side that finished in ninth place last season, with the Ex ICT & Ross County midfielder using his network in the north of Scotland with five of his seven new signings brought in on loan (2 from Aberdeen and 3 from Ross County). One notable departure from last season’s squad is prolific marksman Kane Hester, who moved to League 1 side Montrose in the close season.

Like many fixtures in the league this season, City’s opening four fixtures have all been tight affairs, with two draws and two defeats by the odd goal and will be bolstered by a point at home to who many had seen as pre-season favourites East Fife last Saturday. They have also had some success in the SPFL Trust Trophy as they play their third round fixture against Championship side Greenock Morton next Saturday; a free week for Bonnyrigg.

Robbie Horn’s side return to home soil after an excellent performance at Station Park maintaining their 100% away record at this early stage of the season. An early Neil Martyniuk penalty was cancelled out by Morrison for the Loons just after the hour mark, before Faye rounded off a match defining performance by securing all three points a minute later. A behind closed doors match in midweek vs St Johnstone was an opportunity to give some of the squad additional game time in order to come into this weekend’s fixture match sharp if called upon.

As mentioned in most post-match interviews, the Gaffer will be keen to replicate the current excellent away form at NDP and re-instate it as the fortress it was over much of his tenure. Rose go into this fixture with only one defeat in the last twelve league outings and will be looking to maintain this run this weekend with another three points.

Admission for Saturday's match is PATG £14 adults, £9 concessions (+65, disabled, carer), under 16s £5 and U12s are free accompanied by a paying adult. Cash and card are accepted on all entrance gates, where 50/50 draw tickets (£1 each) and match programmes (£2) will also be on sale. Full details are available on our NDP Guide webpage. Our club shop which is located opposite the main snack bar will be open before the game once gates open at 14:00 and also at half time. Saturday's referee is Scott Lambie and he is assisted by Brian Christie and Alan Budd.

There will be a minute silence prior to kick off in memory of former Scottish Junior Cup winner and record appearance holder Archie Young who sadly passed away earlier this week.

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