Monday March 3rd 2025
Murray Aiken Rose (left) on ball with Bradley Whyte Spartans. Photograph by Joe Gilhooley LRPS.
Match report by Michelle Reid, of Bonnyrigg Rose FC
Bonnyrigg Rose were on the road as they made the short trip north to Ainslie Park to face The Spartans in William Hill League Two.
Calum Elliot made named new loan signing from Hibernian, Murray Aiken, in his starting eleven, alongside three other changes from the side that lost at home to Forfar the week prior. Kerr Young, Callum Connolly, Ryan Porteous and Sean Murphy dropped out of the starting eleven, with Kieran Somerville replacing the captain at centre-half. After some bright cameos from the bench, loanee Broque Watson earned his first start for the club in attack on the astro, with Aaron Arnott coming into the midfield.
Rose were pushing for a good start early on, and had some penalty shouts in the opening few moments as Bradley Barrett went over in the box, but the referee saw it as simulation instead of a foul and booked the winger.
Watson did well to find himself some space outside the area, but his effort was safely held by Carswell.
Just as Rose looked to making a positive start to the game, Spartans struck following a corner as Calum Booth lashed a powerful long-range strike past Andy McNeil to give the home side the lead.
Cammy Russell was a threat going forward for Dougie Samuel’s side, but his sighter went over McNeil’s crossbar.
Rose looked to work their way towards an equaliser late in the half, but Barrett’s blocked effort in the box was the closest they would come to finding the net, with Spartans taking the the lead into the break.
Spartans got off to the perfect start in the second half, Jamie Dishington finding the net just under ten minutes after the restart.
James Craigen went close to adding a third from range shortly after substitutes Callum Connolly and Mark Ferrie took the field for Rose in place of Lee Currie and Bradley Barrett, both on a booking at that point in the game.
Murray Aiken, who was a shining light for Rose on the day, picking up the sponsors Player of the Match Award, volleyed brilliantly past Blair Carswell to drag Rose back within one with ten minutes to play.
Rose were unable to build upon that Aiken goal in the last few moments of the game, with Mark Stowe powering his shot past McNeil with two minutes left of the ninety to make sure of the points for the hosts.
Rose will look to get back on track in William Hill League 2 as they welcome the visit of Edinburgh City to New Dundas Park next Saturday afternoon at 3pm.
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