Bonnyrigg Rose
Matches
Sat 20 Aug 2022
Bonnyrigg Rose FC
Bonnyrigg Rose
0
2
Albion Rovers
Bonnyrigg Rose vs Albion Rovers + Manager Interview
By Cameron Wanstall

Match Preview

Brendan Parkinson18 Aug 2022 - 10:39
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.bonnyriggrosefc.co

League football returns to New Dundas Park following a three week hiatus as Albion Rovers travel to EH19 to take on Bonnyrigg Rose for the first time ever.

The Rovers have made a worrying start to the 2022/23 campaign, with three league losses leaving them rock bottom of the table as the only pointless team in the fourth tier.

On the back of a tough Premier Sports Cup group stage – sealing one win, over similarly struggling Kelty Hearts, and three losses – Albion Rovers have lost out in the league to Stenhousemuir, Dumbarton and East Fife by narrow one-goal margins, as well as suffering a deflating 3-2 defeat to Celtic B in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The tough start could be put down to the exits of several important squad members, including three players all going directly to league rivals Dumbarton, and some key changes in the starting XI – including the introduction of a new number one ‘keeper in Jack Leighfield, who joined the club from FC Edinburgh.

As already noted, Brian Reid’s men were sunk by East Fife last weekend despite performing well enough to grab at least a point from the tie. Unable to clear the danger from a Ryan Schiavone cross, Liam Newton was at hand to give the Fifers the lead in the 66th minute and subsequently seal all three points.

While the Coatbridge side were battling for their first points in cinch League Two, the Rosey Posey trekked west to take on Stranraer. An opportunity to go three league games unbeaten was on the cards, though the home side wouldn’t make it easy for the boys from Boomtown.

The hosts took the lead through club legend Craig Malcom (or an own goal, depending on your source) when he nodded home from a wide Anton Brady free-kick. An equaliser came just three minutes later, however, when Kevin Smith got on the end of a driven Josh Grigor cross to finish from close range at the back post.

Hampered by a couple injuries (both pre-match and during the game), the Rose struggled to take control of the tie and Stranraer again soon had the lead as Luke Watt’s deflected cross was stabbed home at the back stick by Josh Walker. A dangerous challenge from Craig Ross that earned the defender a straight red card helped the Rose to get back into the tie.

Several minutes into stoppage time, the hosts finally crumbled under heavy pressure. Kerr Young won a penalty after being blootered in the box, allowing Lee Currie to step up and coolly slot home to spark jubilant scenes amongst the away support and snatch a point from a very tricky away day.

The result out west means the unbeaten run can continue if the lads can overcome a Rovers side determined to bounce back following a tough start to the 2022/23 season.

Tickets are pay at the gate only and season tickets are valid. The price of admission is £12 for adults (17-65) and £7 for concessions (disabled, carer, 12-16 and over 65s). Under 12s accompanied by an adult go free.

‘Mon the Rose!

Important Match Information for all supporters is available from this link.

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

Match details

Match date

Sat 20 Aug 2022

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

1,057
Team overview
Further reading