Lowland League | Spartans stay in second after top of table clash

Posted on Monday, October 11th, 2021

The Lowland League top of the table clash against Bonnyrigg Rose saw the visitors edge out the hosts 1-2 in front of just under 500 football fans at Ainslie Park.

Spartans headed into the game following a dramatic midweek win at Celtic B whilst Rose rung the changes after their emphatic rout over Vale of Leithen on the same night.

Noteworthy incidents in the opening ten minutes were as rare as hen’s teeth however it was the man they call the Granton Goose who came back to haunt his old club to score an 11^th minute opener.  A corner to the back post saw Dean Hoskins win an aerial battle and head home.

Jack Newman was called upon shortly after when he sprung to send Callum Connolly’s fierce drive over bar.

Cammy Russell went on a solo mission for the equaliser when he cut back inside to forge open a half-chance which could only trickle wide of the post.

Hoskins then came close to a second when he headed wide however the visitors did increase their advantage before the players headed to the sheds.

An innocuous challenge out wide furnished Rose with a free-kick which was sent deep into the box for Connolly to head home beyond the despairing dive of Newman.

HT: The Spartans 0-2 Bonnyrigg Rose

The opening half hour of the second half would have given then Wolf in the Three Little Pigs a run for it’s money as both sides huffed and puffed but they weren’t getting in to trouble the scoreboard.

Another former Spartans, graduate George Hunter was to come up against the wide of the woodwork when his 25 yard free-kick hit the crossbar with Newman in full flight.

Spartans set up a grandstand finale when they halved the deficit with just two minutes of regular time to go.  The impressive Dundee United loanee Finn Robson’s perfectly flighted long ball up the park was missed by the Rose keeper who went walkies and sub Sam Newman nicked it beyond him before racing on to finish off into the empty net.

Armitage Shanks was on for an assist as Spartans threw the proverbial kitchen sink to secure an equaliser in the final stages.  Alas, a combination of events just didn’t allow the forces to align and the visitors held out for the win.

FT: The Spartans 1-2 Bonnyrigg Rose

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