Stephen Reid

We travel to the Eco Gen Stadium @Stair Park to play Stranraer as we continue our William Hill League 2 campaign.

Both sides have shown an improvement in form in the last few games and past matches between these sides have been very close over the past two seasons.

The Rose are currently 8th with Stranraer in 7th position in a very tight League again this season.

In the previous game between the sides this season at NDP The Rose defeated Stranraer 2-0 with first half goals from Captain Kerr Young and Callum Connolly sealing the points.

Last time out The Rose inflicted the first League defeat on Elgin City with a comprehensive 2-0 victory in an emotional day at NDP.

Rose started the first half with great intent from the start, with Callum Connolly’s header providing the first chance of the afternoon, going just wide of the Elgin City goal in the 9th minute.

Angus Mailer gave Rose an early lead in the 14th minute with a weak-foot volley against his former club.

Bradley Barrett had two dangerous chances in quick succession in the 28th minute, with a low-driven effort at goal met by a diving Glavin.

He then tried his luck by directly shooting from the resulting corner, only to be denied again by the Elgin stopper.

Elgin's best chances of the half came through Jack Murray, with two headers unable to trouble Tom Ritchie in the Rose goal.

Just before the end of the first half, Kerr Young headed just wide of the Elgin goal, coming close to adding to Bonnyrigg Rose’s dominant first half.

Kallum Higginbotham would start the second half strong for Bonnyrigg as he tried his luck from outside the box, just high and wide of the goal.

Mark Ferrie came close to scoring in the 51st minute, but could not add the finishing touch, with his shot just wide of the goal.

Ferrie would extend Rose’s lead in the 72nd minute with a clever chip, capitalising on a rebound from Bradley Barrett’s saved shot.

Bonnyrigg Rose showed excellent composure and discipline in the final stages of the match, demonstrating great game management.

The team defended with hunger and desire, successfully keeping out a determined Elgin City side who pressed hard to get back into the game.

Rose played a game Charlie Kirkwood would have been so proud of, claiming all three points.

Stranraer who are now under Manager Chris Aitken supported by his brother Stevie Aitken claimed an impressive 2-1 victory at East Fife with goals from Grant mid-way through the first half and Lang who clinched the victory with a goal 10 minutes from time.

Stranraer FC (last 5 league results)

09/11/24 = East Fife 1-2 Stranraer
02/11/24 = Elgin City 1-0 Stranraer
19/10/24 = Stranraer 0-0 Peterhead
05/10/24 = Edinburgh City 1-2 Stranraer
28/09/24 = Stranraer 0-2 Stirling Albion

Bonnyrigg Rose (last 5 league results)

09/11/24 Bonnyrigg Rose 2-0 Elgin City
02/11/24 = Clyde 2-2 Bonnyrigg Rose
19/10/24 = Bonnyrigg Rose 2-0 Edinburgh City
05/10/24 = East Fife 5-0 Bonnyrigg Rose
28/09/24 = Bonnyrigg Rose 0-1 Forfar

Stranraer v Bonnyrigg Rose (last 5 league meetings)

31/08/24 = Bonnyrigg Rose 2-0 Stranraer
30/03/24 = Stranraer 1-1 Bonnyrigg Rose
03/02/24 = Bonnyrigg Rose 0-0 Stranraer
16/12/23 = Stranraer 3-1 Bonnyrigg Rose
19/08/23 = Bonnyrigg Rose 1-1 Stranraer

Referee: Duncan Williams
AR1 Colin Drummond
AR2 Sean Duff

Admission: Adult £15, Concession (over 65) £10, Youth (5 to 16) £5, Under 5 FREE

https://www.bonnyriggrosefc.co.uk/teams/118321/match-centre/0-5951769

Next Match we are back at NDP v Stirling Albion
Saturday 23rd November Kick Off 3pm.