Berwick v Bonnyrigg Rose Match Report
Berwick suffered a 2-0 loss to Bonnyrigg Rose in the Lowland League East as Struan Mair saw red at Shielfield Park.
The visitors took an early lead through a Kerr Young header, before Rudi Bryce doubled Rose’s advantage just before half-time. Berwick were later reduced to ten men midway through the second half as Mair was dismissed for a trip on Laurie Devine which was deemed the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
The first chance of the game arrived for Bonnyrigg Rose after five minutes as Taylor Hogarth gathered the ball on the right-hand side. His cross was met by the superb run of Young whose glancing header went into the top left corner via the post to give the visitors an early lead.
Berwick created their first chance on the twenty-minute mark as Ben McCrystal won the ball high up the pitch. He managed to lay the ball off for Josh O’Connor whose low shot was well gathered by Marc Anderson.
Bonnyrigg Rose looked the slightly better side at creating opportunities. On the half-hour mark, Devine’s long ball picked out Jordan Smith through the middle. He managed to control the ball before his shot deflected off Mair but safely into the hands of Calum Antell. The Rose striker was claiming for handball off Mair, but the referee didn’t budge.
As the game neared half-time, the Gers were caught on the ball in midfield as Hogarth gathered. He executed a precise through ball for Bryce to run onto. Bryce beat the attempted challenge of Callum Mackay, and his shot went under Antell and into the bottom left corner to double the lead of the visitors. Of the few chances in the first half, Bonnyrigg Rose were clinical with their opportunities. The visitors led 2-0 at half-time.
Bonnyrigg Rose nearly had a third ten minutes into the second half as Bryce’s dinked cross picked out Devine at the back post. His header was pushed out by Antell before Berwick eventually cleared.
The Dream Team were struggling to show any signs of getting back into the game. Their chances were only worsened midway through the second half as Mair tripped Devine as he sprinted towards goal. The Berwick defender was given a straight red card for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity, which appeared harsh.
Rose used their man advantage to control the game as they looked very comfortable with their two-goal lead. As the game entered its final fifteen minutes, Hogarth was the creator again as his cross from the left found Smith, but he could only guide his header over.
A few minutes later, Currie’s corner found Young in the middle, but he saw his toe poked effort flash wide to spurn a great chance of his second and Rose’s third goal of the game.
The chances continued to flow for Bonnyrigg Rose as Devine played the ball to Hogarth before his lay-off found Smith. His fierce shot was well saved by the feet of Antell.
Berwick had a late flurry of offensive action as they searched for a goal. The ball broke to Isaac Deh on the right before he struck a shot that was well saved by Anderson.
Moments later, a long ball found Liam Gregory before he cut the ball back for Mikey Mbewe. His shot was on target but was deflected wide.
Bonnyrigg Rose secured a comfortable 2-0 win that sees them climb to fourth in the table. Berwick remain in 11th after just one win in their opening five Lowland League East games. The Gers are next in action on Tuesday as they travel to Annan Athletic in the KDM Evolution Trophy.