20th April 2024. Bonnyrigg Rose 0 The Spartans 1
With Hearts playing Rangers in the cup semi-final tomorrow I decided to head out to Bonnyrigg to watch the Rose play Spartans in the SPFL league two. I walked down to Haymarket and caught a 31 bus around thirteen forty to head out to Bonnyrigg.for a change the weather was good and I almost feel asleep as the bus headed out of town. We arrived at Bonnyrigg Toll around fourteen twenty and from there I walked the short distance to the ground, I paid my £9 concessionary admission and bought a £2 programme before heading to a barrier opposite the main standing area in the sunshine. Both sides had their young ultras in attendance and the drums were drumming as the ultras were singing. I met Derek who was there as refereeing supervisor and also covering the match from Black Diamond FM. We had a chat as he took up a place beside me leaning on a barrier.
Bonnyrigg under new manager Calum Elliot had an excellent 4-1 away win at East Fife last week and are now eighth in League 2 ahead of Stranraer and Clyde. And with three games to go four points should see them clear of the relegation playoff. Unsurprisingly there were no changes to last weeks side. Spartans currently stand fourth in the league and being seven points ahead of East Fife would guarantee a playoff spot with a win today. Spartans fielded a strong side although it was surprising to see Jamie Dishington starting at right back.
The game started slowly although Cammy Russell had an early chance for Spartans.He broke down the left and cut into the penalty area before firing his shot into the net at the near post. While Spartans has most of the first half possession there were few attempts at goal. Keiran McGachie of Bonnyrigg and Ayrton Sonkur of Spartans were having an interesting physical battle when the ball near the Spartans penalty but neither player could come clearly ahead. Russell came close with a free kick from just outside the penalty area but his effort was deflected away of the defensive wall.
The second half started with Bonnyrigg having more of the ball. However they lost fullback Angus Mailer after a head knock in a midair collision with Spartans Russel. At one stage a stretcher was wheeled on but thankfully Mailer was able to get up and walk off the field to be replaced by Scott Mercer. Neil Martynuik had a header from a corner well saved by the diving Blair Carswell in the Spartans goal. Minutes later McGachie got free in the penalty area but his header deflected off a defender and then the crossbar. Russel tried a free kick from just outside the Bonnyrigg penalty area but it flew over both the defensive wall and the bar. However with five minutes left Spartans went ahead. I had been thinking throughout the game that Blair Henderson did nothing outside the penalty area. He proved me wrong as he gathered the ball thirty yards from goal and fired a shot into the top of Paddy Martin’s net. Some Bonnyrigg fans thought it was an error by the keeper but the ball initially looked like it was going over the bar before dipping into the net. The Spartans ultras rushed onto the pitch to celebrate and stewards were required to remove them.
After the final whistle I walked to Nonnyrigg Toll and after a fifteen minute wait got on a 31 bus back into Edinburgh. Unfortunately the Soartandultas were on the same bus and most of them got on through the exit doors to avoid paying a fare. They however went upstairs while I remain in the lower level. I got home just before 18.00 after a good day out
Teams
Comments
Post a Comment