7th May 2022 Bonnyrigg Rose 3 Cowdenbeath 0

 

Today is a big day with Bonnyrigg v Cowdenbeath in the SPFL League Two playoff. If Bonnyrigg win over they will take Cowdenbeath place in League Two next season. The match was all-ticket with around 2200 tickets on sale. Jim was going to Bonnyrigg on Monday for his ticket and he also got mine which he gave me at Edinburgh City game on Tuesday. Hearts were playing Celtic at Parkhead today but I hate going there due to the restricted view from seats in a corner off the stadium and also the attitude of the home fans, police and stewards to those who travel to support their team. I watch the first half on Sky and then headed to Haymarket to catch a bus to Bonnyrigg. I met Alan at the bus stop and we boarded a 31 to head out to Bonnyrigg. Surprisingly the bus arrived early at 13.50. We got off and Alan headed to the pub as I went for a walk as I did not want to enter the ground too early. I walked for around fifteen minutes for heading back to the ground. I showed my ticket for entry and then purchased my £2 programme. I met Jim who had entered at one of the lower gates and we wandered round to the grassy side of the ground, taking up position on the perimeter fence near the dugouts. 

Bonnyrigg had suffered a blow with Kieran McGachie now suspended for three matches. He received a yellow card in last weeks tie at Fraserburgh and then a second yellow and subsequent red card following an altercation after the final whistle. Sean Brown stepped into the main striker role with George Hunter still only fit enough for a place on the bench. During the warm-up Hunter spent most of his time doing stretching exercises rather than kicking a ball and seemed to be still struggling with his recent injury. Cowdenbeath, now managed by former Rangers player Maurice Ross, have shown improved form over the last few weeks but their earlier poor performances have left them bottom of League Two. Cowdenbeath had a number of former Hearts players in their squad with Fraser Mullen, Robbie Buchanan and Craig Thomson alll having been at Tynecastle. 

The ga e started with Bonnyrigg doing most of the attacking with Sean Brwon hVing two early chances. First-sly he was sent through on a Currie pass and taken out by a challenge from Cowdenbeath keeper Cammy Bell just outside the penalty area. I thought it was a Rose free kick but he referee gave it the other way. Minutes later he dragged a long all to his left just outside the box but dragged his shot wide.the game changed just after the half hour mark. Cowdenbeath Harvey Swann, who had been booked earlier, fouled Dean Brett just in front of the dugouts. Despite protests from the bench it was a dangerous challenge leading to another yellow and subsequent red card. Rose took advantage of an extra man and went ahead in forty minutes. Neil martynuik found Bradley barrett on the left and the winger sent a low cross across the goal. Brown slid in at the far post and got a touch to end the ball over the goal-line. The referee received a signal from his assistant the the ball had crossed the line and singled a goal to give Rose the lead. Four minutes later Callum Connolly and Cowdenbeath's Kyle Miller collided in the penalty area. Both fell to the ground but Connolly was up first but was tugged back by the Cowdenbeath defender. The referee pointed to the penalty spot despite vigorous protests from the Cowdenbeath bench. Lee Currie has been removed from penalty duties following a couple of recent failures but Martynuik stepped up to fire the ball into the corner of the net giving keeper Cammy Gill no chance of making a save. 

With a 2-0n lead Rose ere happy to contain in the second half. Sammy Ompreon looked dangerous for Cowdenbeath but the central defence of Alan Horne and Kerr Young managed to contain him. However after seventy-two-four minutes Rose scored a third. A corner from Currie was floated towards the far post where Brett dived to headed home. After being with Cowdenbeath for a number of years his celebration was fantastic as he ran towards the touchline to greet his partner. Rose were now well on top and Barrett had a chance blocked boy the legs of Gill as he broke in from the left. Substitute Kieran Hall also had a chance but his header bounced down and them over the bar. The Rose did a lap of honour after the final whistle with the suspended McGachie joining the squad on the pitch. I cannot see Rose failing to defend their lead in the second leg but will be unable to go and watch as Hearts are playing Rangers on the same day.

On the final whistle I walked to Bonnyrigg Toll and met Alan again. A 31 bus arrived around 17.10 and we took it back into town. I got of at Surgeons Hall and caught 2 from their arriving home around 18.00 after another excellent match.

Teams

Bonnyrigg Rose: Weir, Brett, Martynuik, Young, Horne, Stewart, Currie, R Gray, Barrett, Connolly, Brown. 

Subs: Hall

Cowdenbeath: Gill, Dunn, Swann, Todd, C Barr, Denhan, Miller, Morrison, R Buchanan, Ompreon, Barrowman. 

Subs: Ferguson, Thomson