Match Report by Amy Canavan

Robbie Horn’s side came into the game on the back of two successive draws and in response, they came flying out of the traps.

The opening chances of the game fell to the away side. Ross Gray forced ‘Shire goalkeeper Ross Connelly, into a strong save within the first two minutes. With free-kick regular, Lee Currie suspended, Neil Martyniuk had a go for goal 25-yards-out, but saw his attempt just skim past the post.

The home side, who also remained undefeated thus far, had their first sighting at goal just prior to the 20 minute mark, when 18-year-old striker, Dean Watson, found himself in a bit of space in the box, but the youngster, on loan from Partick Thistle, dragged his shot just wide.

The Gray brothers were commanding and controlling in the middle of the park for the majority of the afternoon and were key figures in the Rose being the better of the two sides in the opening half hour.

George Hunter’s physicality was a great asset once again. The striker powered through numerous ‘Shire defenders, shrugging them all off with ease, yet failed to find equal firepower in his shot.

Despite undoubtedly being on top, with 10 minutes of the half left, Rose found themselves behind. Bob Wilson lost out in the middle of his own half and after some neat interplay, Watson yet again found himself with a few yards of space, before unmistakably rifling his volley into the far side of Mark Weir’s goal, from an acute angle.

However, the host’s lead was short lived. Dean Brett, who defined bow-to-box this afternoon, danced his way into East Stirlingshire’s area, before a defender took a swipe at his ankles. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Brett, who welcomed a baby boy this week, took responsibility into his own hands and made no mistake in firing the visitor’s level. His spot-kick was placed perfectly in the top left-hand corner, ensuring Connelly’s impressive string of clean sheets did not continue.

In a rather bizarre and confusing turn of events, Derek Ure’s side were presented with an opportunity to regain their lead. The ‘Shire had worked their way nicely into the Rose box, yet, with no apparent contact made, their attacker fell to the ground and in a call that shocked the Falkirk Stadium, the referee awarded the home side a penalty of their own. Andy Rodgers, who bagged a hattrick last week, restored his side’s lead with three minutes of the half remaining.

The entertaining half ended with a great opportunity for Wilson to draw the Rose level, but the towering centre-half couldn’t quite direct his header on target.

Clearly deflated from finding themselves behind at the interval, Bonnyrigg Rose were caught on the back foot at the restart. Weir was forced into a fine double save, before Rodgers fired a shot straight down his throat.

Hunter was victim to a nasty knock in the lead up to ‘Shire’s dubious penalty, and while he tried to run it off, his substitution was inevitable. He made way for Jamie Docherty inside 20 minutes of the second half.

Rose continued in their quest for an equaliser. Brett found continuous joy down the flank and fizzed a delightful ball across the face of goal, but Keiran McGachie couldn’t latch onto it.

The home side were not just protecting their lead, they were looking to put the game to bed. Reis Peggie’s free-kick from 22-yards out was parried away by Weir.

With 15 minutes to go, Joao Balde replaced Ross Gray to make his debut for the club and almost had an instant impact. In neat link-up play between McGachie and Docherty, the 19-year-old just saw his header glance wide.

Dean Hoskins made way for a trialist moments later and despite consistent knocking at the door, Rose failed to find a well merited equaliser.

It’s the third game in a row that Horn’s side have dropped points, however, they’ll look to rectify that at New Dundas Park on Tuesday as they welcome Civil Service Strollers.

Rose: Weir, Brett, Young, Wilson, Martyniuk, Hoskins (Trialist 78’), Stewart, R.Gray (Balde 75’), S.Gray, Hunter (Docherty 52’), McGachie

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