Match Preview

Defeating Celtic B at a sunkissed NDP on the opening day. Brushing off title challengers Spartans at Ainslie Park in October. Thrashing Berwick Rangers at Shielfield to clinch the title. These are just a few key moments from this campaign that have pushed Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic into the path to potential promotion.

And they all feel like a lifetime ago, perhaps due to the last half-hour of last weekend’s northern battle ageing every travelling fan in attendance by at least five years. Never deterred by a trek, the vocal Rosey Posey support in Fraserburgh were instrumental in assisting the team to a historic play-off victory.

Holding a 3-1 lead from a grand performance at NDP, Rose had to hold onto the two-goal advantage at a windswept Bellslea Park. Nerves, admittedly, really started to build when Broch finally bested Mark Weir through a fierce Kieran Simpson header after 65 minutes.

But, despite the ensuing onslaught, Rose held on. Defiant defending, not just in defence but all over the pitch, earned a 3-2 aggregate win to take back home to EH19 and sparked sensational celebrations after the full-time whistle.

The only disappointment was the dismissal of club legend Keiran McGachie, who picked up a second booking after full-time and is now subsequently suspended. However, forward partner Nathan Evans has thankfully evaded jail time and a lengthy suspension after ferociously knocking over a camera that seemed to cause some bother on Twitter… If you know, you know.

Standing in the way of promotion to the SPFL is Cowdenbeath. A club familiar to Rose gaffer Robbie Horn, shot-stopper Mikey Andrews and, most of all, wing-back Dean Brett – who made over 100 league appearances for The Blue Brazil.

Cowdenbeath have suffered a dramatic fall from grace since their brief flirtation with the Championship in 2014/15. Back-to-back relegations was followed up by two 10th place finishes in League Two, but the Fifers managed to hang onto their league status by defeating Cove Rangers and East Kilbride in each play-off.

Four years on, finding themselves once again in the bottom spot. Cowden have languished in 10th place since gameweek nine yet have never been walkovers, only conceding 49 goals in the league – joint 5th best in the division. Their problem has been goalscoring, with their 28 goals scored the lowest in the league.

Maurice Ross’ side had been unbeaten in six league games (two wins, four draws) heading into a final day clash versus Albion Rovers, but blew the streak by losing 1-0 at Central Park to the Coatbridge side.

Cowdenbeath’s only Lowland League encounter this season came against Civil Service Strollers in the Scottish Cup second round, with a shock 4-2 loss inflicted upon them by the club from the capital.

We hope to see everybody at a heaving NDP in support of the lads hoping to make history over the next two weekend’s.

As ever, ‘Mon the Rose!

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