Bonnyrigg Rose 5 Kennoway Star Hearts 1
After a long lay off due to fixture call offs and the Xmas shut down KSH finally got back into action against title favourites Bonnyrigg Rose.
The lengthy lay off showed in the opening stages as the home side dominated proceedings. A chance was passed up when Gray missed a gilt edged chance from close range to score the opener.
However the home side did not have long to wait as on the 16th minute Lough pounced to head home from six yards from a cross on the left. Two minutes later a cross from the right wing saw goal number two, this time it was McIntosh who finished from close range as the KSH defence looked to the linesman for a possible offside.
Bonnyrigg were on top and another effort from McIntosh saw Paterson pull off a instinctive save as he kept his side in the match.
Gradually Kennoway started to find their way as they pressed the home side back.
Muir saw a shot from twenty yards saved. Then a succession of corner kicks hemmed Bonnyrigg in. Mathew Gay went close with a shot from twelve yards and Doig saw a header deflected over for a corner kick.
A minute before half time they got the goal their play deserved when skipper Chris Gay collected the ball just outside the eighteen yard box before drilling a right foot shot low into the corner of the net.
It looked like the lifeline the away side needed but right on the stroke of half time another cross from the left wing saw Currie blast the ball home from eight yards. HT 3-1
With a mountain to climb after losing the third goal on the stroke of half time it was obvious to all watching that the next goal would be important as a fourth for Bonnyrigg would kill the game.
Despite the deficit the KSH players gave everything they had trying to claw their way back into the game. The experience of the home side shone through as they kept the ball well offering very little for Kennoway to pin some hope to.
The points were sealed in the 62nd minute when a penalty was awarded after a clumsy foul on the "Rose" striker saw the referee with no option but point to the spot. Martyniuk stepped up and made no mistake as he dispatched the ball to the right as Paterson dived to his left.
The final goal of the game was the pick of the bunch after a well worked corner kick routine saw the ball land at the feet of Martyniuk at the edge of the penalty area where he curled a exquisite shot into the top right corner of the goal.
Rolland almost pulled a consolation goal back on the 80th minute when a swerving shot from distance narrowly went past the post with the home keeper scrambling.
The last few minutes were played out with very little incident as the home side run out deserved winners.
Team: Paterson Young Doig Partridge Brewster McGowan C.Gay Craig Band M.Gay Muir Subs: Bryce Collins Rolland Newlands Shaw.Next game is away to Linlithgow Rose 13th Jan ko2.30pm
MATCH ACTION COURTESY OF BONNYRIGG ROSE TV
