Bonnyrigg Rose 4-2 East Fife, Tuesday 21st November 2023
New Dundas Park, cinch League Two
East Fife could not match their result from last weekend on Tuesday night, as we faced another defeat, this time at the hands of Bonnyrigg Rose, at New Dundas Park. Set pieces proved to be our downfall on Tuesday, conceding 3 of them, though Allan Fleming’s saves in open play kept the score respectable for the most part.
We started the Bonnyrigg game in the same manner as we finished the Clyde game, as we adopted a 3-5-2 shape, to try and go man to man with the Rosey Posey. There were two changes to the line-up which sealed an emphatic win at New Douglas Park last weekend, as Scott Shepherd and Connor McManus made way for Gregor Nicol and Kieran Millar, allowing McDonald to more effectively apply the desired tactics, with Nicol as a makeshift wing back position, putting in a shift during his time on the park.
Both sides had chances in the early exchanges, with Trouten firing a volley over the bar, and Osolador heading wide for the home side inside the opening 15 minutes. However, it was the hosts who struck first, as the aforementioned Osolador made no mistakes with his second chance of the game. Lee Currie whipped a nice ball into the feet of the Bonnyrigg striker, who was somehow given enough time in the area to take a touch and compose himself, before lashing the ball past Fleming, putting Bonnyrigg 1-0 up after 19 minutes.
We bounced back quickly though, and just 5 minutes later, had a chance to pull level. Schiavone was the first to Gregor Nicol’s wicked delivery and he nodded it across goal. Unfortunately, there were no takers, as the ball trickled right along the 6-yard line.
We then failed to capitalise on another great chance, as Schiavone was so close to converting another Nicol free kick on the half an hour mark, but it slipped past the post.
Thankfully for us, all good things come in threes, and we bagged our much-needed goal. Nathan Austin capitalised on a mistake from the Bonnyrigg centre half, heading past an onrushing ‘keeper to bring the sides level.
We made it into half time arguably the better of the two sides and could’ve been ahead had Austin’s second header of the game not been ruled out for a foul. However, in the second period there was no debates as to who the better team were, as Bonnyrigg responded fantastically to their half-time team talk.
They started quick, and from the start of the second period it became evident that a goal was inevitable. Sadly, it came after 51 minutes, when Lee Currie, already boasting an assist, re-gave the Rosey Posey the lead. He hit a deep free kick, from over 35 yards out, and with what was undeniably supposed to be a cross, managed to restore Bonnyrigg’s lead. The ball bounced into the area and no defender could get anywhere near it, Fleming anticipated contact one the ball, and therefore was wrongfooted by the deep-set piece.
On the hour mark, it went from bad to worse too, after a stramash in the box led to a very soft penalty given against the Fifers. Neil Martynuik stepped up, and doubled the Bonnyrigg lead, putting us under some real pressure.
We responded quickly though, and after being substituted on just 5 minutes before, Connor McManus made it 3-2 with a lovely left footed strike.
Despite our looks at rejuvenation, our fightback was short-lived, as on the 80-minute mark, the Fifers gave away a second penalty, which was equally as soft as the first. Like the first, Martynuik sent Fleming the wrong way, restoring a two-goal lead for Bonnyrigg, killing the game.
While the score line was separated by Martynuik’s penalties, it must be stated that even if the decisions were given in the Fife’s favour, and the penalties were not given, Bonnyrigg would have still more than likely ran out winners in the match. Their attacking threat in the second half was simply too much for us, and Allan Fleming had a fantastic game, despite conceding 4, and without him, it could have been nearer 7 or 8. Bonnyrigg’s forward men ran rampant at New Dundas sadly.
We have a break in the calendar, due to the third round of the Scottish Cup, though will contest a closed-door friendly fixture with Glenrothes FC this weekend, and next week we look forward to hosting The Spartans at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
Bonnyrigg Rose - Martin, Mailer, Martyniuk, Young, Peggie, Stewart (Barrett 70’), Currie, Connelly, Doan, Osadolor (McGachie 77’), Sutherland (Watson 70’). Subs not used: Jarvis, Buchanan, Faye, Grigor, Andrews.
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Page, Easton, Millar (McManus 63’), Trouten, Nicol (Shepherd 54’), Docherty, Walls (Healy 80’), Schiavone (Mitchell 63’), Austin. Subs not used: Slattery, Murray, Rollo, Comerford.
Referee – Greg Soutar
Attendance - 630