Match Preview

Our first foray in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup this weekend as we make our third trip in our ninth season in this competition to Bellslea to face Highland League side Fraserburgh. The last Scottish Cup encounter was back in season 2019/20 at Bellslea and was very much a smash and grab effort by the Rose to progress into the second round. The Rose defence held firm (aided by outstanding performances by Weir and Moyes) despite a Broch onslaught in the second half, with the prevailing wind and the benefit of the slope in their favour. With the seconds ticking down and most at Bellslea looking forward to a replay, Rose made a rare breach into the Broch half. Some good work by Brett down the right side allowed the wing back to cross into the box for Hunter to blast the ball into the net.

The last time the two sides met however was in the pyramid play off semi-finals the season before last, with Rose prevailing on an aggregate scoreline of 3-2. Goals by McGachie, Connolly and Currie for Rose with Young pulling one back for the Broch at NDP, with a solitary goal by Simpson at Bellslea not enough for the home side to stop the Rose progressing to the League 2 play-offs and eventually into the SPFL.

It has been said on many an occasion that the success of the Rose over the past decade or so is built largely on a continuity of the playing squad, with only slight adjustments made to it each season. The same can very much be said of today's hosts with 12 of Mark Cowie's squad (in his ninth season as manager) clocking up more than 100 appearances compared to Rose's 7, with Willie West top of that list with a frankly unbelievable 651 appearances with Bryan Hay next best on 520. The Broch currently sit in 6th position in a congested SHFL table. Unusually this season given the fortress that Bellslea is well renowned to be, they have only won at home once out of five fixtures played in the league to date. A stat that they will no doubt be looking to rectify today.

The Rose make the long trek up to the Highlands in buoyant mood after their 3-2 victory at NDP over Clyde last time out. What will please the management team most is that they managed to come from 2-1 down and that both Liam Buchanan and Taylor Sutherland opened their accounts on their first starts at NDP.

Rose's record vs SLFL sides over both of Robbie Horn's spells is an unblemished one and everyone with a Rose connection will be looking for that record to continue today and with it a place in the third round.

Admission for today's match is £10 for adults and £5 for concessions (over 65s and under 16s). Safe travels to any of the faithful looking to make the trip up to support the boys.

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