BRFC vs Bonnyrigg 25-26
Berwick v Bonnyrigg Rose Match Report
Berwick secured a hard-fought 2-2 draw with league leaders Bonnyrigg Rose in the Lowland League at Shielfield Park as Struan Mair saw red.
The visitors led twice in the game, with Cammy Ross scoring the opening goal before a prompt equaliser by Harry Wright.
Bonnyrigg Rose restored their lead early in the second half through Kallum Higginbotham but were pegged back by Taylor Hendry’s fine finish as the two sides shared the points.
The Dream Team began the game on top as Hendry found Caelan McCrone in space just outside the box. McCrone went for goal, but his shot was blocked by Neil Martyniuk. McCrone received the ball again, but his second effort was again blocked by Martyniuk.
Bonnyrigg Rose responded with a chance of their own. Lee Currie’s corner picked out an unmarked Josh Laing at the back post. However, his header went over the bar.
Chances were few and far between until near the half-hour mark. Rose pushed forward as Higginbottom executed a delicate through ball to Laing on the right wing. His low cross across goal found Ross at the back post who poked the ball into the net to give Rose the lead.
A win for Bonnyrigg Rose would keep them top of the Lowland League table as the season’s climax approaches. The visitors nearly doubled their lead five minutes from half-time as Currie’s cross found an unmarked Martyniuk who somehow saw his header go over the bar to spurn a great chance for Bonnyrigg Rose.
The missed opportunity would come back to haunt Rose as Berwick struck back. A poor clearance by Ross Connelly fell straight to Hendry. His first-time pass found Wright high up the pitch who was played onside by Martyniuk. Wright rounded Connelly and slotted the ball into the open net toeven the game up again.
The Gers nearly gave the lead back to Rose again as Alfie Robinson misjudged a cross which was capitalised on by Ross. His shot from close range was expertly tipped wide by Liam Campbell. The two sides were level at half-time.
Five minutes into the second half and the visitors had another opportunity from a set-piece. Currie’s free-kick from the left fell perfectly for Higginbotham who could touch and get a shot off in a crowded box which smashed the back of the net to restore Rose’s lead.
A few minutes later, Wright picked the ball up in space in the midfield and drove towards the box. He found Mair on the right, and he opted for a shot from a tight angle that stung the palms of Connelly. The ball broke to Michael Barfoot outside the box and his shot deflected into the path of Hendry. The Berwick striker cooly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to bring Berwick level once again.
Bonnyrigg Rose’s main threat continued to come from set pieces and the danger man of Currie. He had a free-kick 25 yards out and he forced a strong save from Campbell.
As the game entered its final twenty minutes it looked like it could go either way as both sides pushed for a third goal. Mair pushed forward for the Gers again as he received a through ball on the right. He once again struck from a tight angle towards goal that was pushed clear by Connelly again.
The chances kept coming for both sides with Kyle Somers’ corner finding Callum Mackay, but he could only direct his header straight at Connelly. Rose instantly went down the other end as Currie sent Danny Dobbie in on goal. The Rose forward tried to get round Campbell, but the Berwick keeper managed to halt his run and went on to save Dobbie’s shot afterwards as the score remained level.
However, Berwick’s chances of getting something out of the game were hampered as Mair was sent off for a second yellow card.
Bonnyrigg Rose threw numerous players forward in the search for a winner in the closing stages which would be a huge boost to their title hopes. However, Berwick nearly snatched the win as Wright picked out Hendry inside the box, but the forward snatched at his shot as the ball rolled straight at Connelly.
As the game entered stoppage time, Bonnyrigg Rose nearly scored the winner as Callum Connolly’s cross found Currie who laid off to Ross, but his shot was brilliantly blocked by Mackay.
Moments later, Connelly found Ross inside the box, but he was denied once again as Campbell executed a good save as Berwick continued to hold on for a draw.
The Gers fought brilliantly to secure a 2-2 draw. Berwick remain in 10th place as they will look to secure a top half finish this season. Bonnyrigg Rose return to the top of the table but have played more games than the teams around them as the title race heats up. Berwick’s next game is on Wednesday as they host Cumbernauld Colts.