2 goal hero Euan O’Reilly returns to the starting line up as Swifty goes with Matty Yates up top supported by Broony and Euan
New boys Ross Philp and Liam Brown both start on the bench
Dan Higgins misses out through injury
The game started slow as both teams were trying to suss each other out with Bonnyrigg looking to have the opening few minutes in their control.
But it was The Warriors that had the first good chance of the match. Euan O’Reilly played a neat 1-2 with Matty Yates and the midfielder ran through on goal but was halted by a good challenge. The ball dropped to Matty Yates, but another block saw his shot cleared.
GOAL: Big mistake from the home keeper who tried to clear but Matty Yates was too quick to chase him down and managed to get the ball into the back of the net. BONNYRIGG ROSE 0-1 STENHOUSEMUIR [Yates 7 minutes]
A glorious chance for the visitors to take it 2. Euan O’Reilly played a perfect through ball to Adam Brown who managed to slip the ball under the keeper, 2 covering defenders were able to clear the ball off the line, almost conceding in the process. Matty Yates took the resultant corner which was easily cleared by the home defence.
The home side are struggling with Stenhousemuir’s quick passing and moving but are holding strong and look a threat when they’re attacking.
A hand ball claim for the home side was denied by the referee who pointed for a corner instead, which was eventually knocked over for a goal kick.
Another good chance for Matty Yates in 17 minutes as he picks a knock down from Adam Brown. A covering defender made the block though at the expense of a corner.
GOAL: Euan O’Reilly is on fire and doubles the Warriors lead. A corner was headed towards goal by Adam Corbett. The ball may have crossed the line but the keeper and defender cleared the ball, but Euan O’Reilly was on hand to make no doubt. BONNYRIGG ROSE 0-2 STENHOUSEMUIR [O’Reilly 18 minutes]
20 minutes in and The Warriors have complete control over the game. The home side are seeing plenty of the ball but are struggling to find any creativity to get passed The Warriors defence.
The hosts had their first good chance of the half on 22 minutes but Kevin Smith just couldn’t get his shot on target.
The rest of the half was played out without much more instant. The home defence are struggling to cope with the movement of Brown, O’Reilly and Yates and the visiting defence is hoovering up anything Bonnyrigg can muster.
HALF TIME: BONNYRIGG ROSE 0-2 STENHOUSEMUIR
Into the second half and Bonnyrigg, again, started the stronger side. Again though, the visiting defence had an answer to all of The Rose’s questions.
GOAL: A mistake by the visiting keeper this time as he spills a McGachie header and Kevin Smith has an easy knock in. BONNYRIGG ROSE 1-2 STENHOUSEMUIR [Smith 51 minutes]
Straight after kick off, anther good chance for the home side but Brennan manages to come out quick and smother the through ball. The home side have definitely come out fighting in the second half and The Warriors need to concentrate to get hem through a difficult spell of the match.
SUBSTITUTION: Euan O’Reilly and Adam Brown go off on 56 minutes and are replaced by Tam Orr and Liam Brown who makes his debut for The Warriors.
Bonnyrigg continue their push for an equaliser as The Warriors struggle to get anything in the game.
SUBSTITUTION: Ross Philp makes his Stenhousemuir debut as he replaces Callum Yeats on 61 minutes just a moment after th left back had entered the referee’s book and seemed to have injured himself in the process.
Just a moment later, Smith thinks he has his second of the game, but the assistant referee raises his flag for offside.
The home side are knocking at the door and are giving up chance after chance in this second half. Certainly has been a game of two halves and The Warriors need to get this game under control if they’re to leave with the 3 points.
Another chance for the home side on 65 minutes. Nicky Jamieson had a great block in the box and Conor Brennan was able to smother the scraps.
The Warriors had a rare chance on 68 minutes with Philp firing a cross across goal but Tam Orr couldn’t get on the other end.
Straight up the pitch and a last ditched Sean Crighton block deflected the ball for a corner which was cleared up to Tam Orr who held up the ball well, but The Warriors eventually gave up possession.
GOAL: Against the run of play, The Warriors retake their 2 goal advantage. Mikey Miller picked up the ball in the middle of the park and laid it off to Matty Yates who made no mistake with his finish. BONNYRIGG ROSE 1-3 STENHOUSEMUIR [Matty Yates 75 minutes]
SUBSTITUTION: Mikey Anderson replaces Ross Forbes on 77 minutes
Penalty for the home side as the referee deems that Sean Crighton handled the ball following a challenge in the box. The Stenousemuir captain was adamant that the ball did not hit his arm, but the referee isn’t interested.
GOAL: Martyniuk makes no mistake as he smashes the ball down the centre of the goal. BONNYRIGG ROSE 2-3 STENHOUSEMUIR [Martyniuk 83 minutes]
Into the final 5 minutes and Bonnyrigg again are pushing for an equaliser. Conor Brennan needed to make a smart save to keep The Warriors in front.
GOAL: Tam Orr picked up the ball at the edge of the box and ran passed a few defenders before a eat finish into the back of the net to surely secure the points. BONNYRIGG ROSE 2-4 STENHOUSEMUIR [Tam Orr 89 minutes]
FULL TIME: BONNYRIGG ROSE 2-4 STENHOUSEMUIR
