SPFL2: Blair brace earns Spartans win over Bonnyrigg

Posted on Monday, August 12th, 2024

Blair Henderson’s double opened up Spartans account at home in a 2-0 victory over Bonnyrigg Rose at a sunny, but decidedly blustery Ainslie Park.

New signing Rory Whittaker was one of six former Spartans Youth players on the seven-man strong bench whilst Jacques Heraghty returned between the sticks as Trialist keeper.

Danny Denholm looked to make some early gains when he pounced on a loose pass back however Tom Ritchie raced off his line to hoof up the park to deny the Spartans man.

It was an opening quarter largely spoilt by the wind swirling around the Ainslie Park arena with stray passes and aerial challenges the theme of the day thus far.

Cammy Russell was unlucky with a 25 yard free-kick that landed on top of the roof of the net rather than the desired couple of inches lower.

Jacques Heraghty was largely a bystander however as the half-time interval approached, he had to look lively to get down low to push a Neil Martyniuk effort behind for a corner.

Half Time: The Spartans 0-0 Bonnyrigg Rose

Spartans had an early opportunity after the break when Bradley Whyte showed some enterprising play with James Craigen not far away with an effort that went just wide of the near post.

Then, just before the hour mark, Spartans took the lead.  Tenacious play by Cammy Russell made his way to the bye-line before scooping the ball to the back post.  Tom Ritchie was unable to stop the cross and Blair Henderson sent the ball home from close range to open the scoring.

A double Spartans substitution followed shortly after, with Brogan Walls and Rory Whittaker replacing Danny Denholm and Lewis Hunter.

Bonnyrigg looked to retaliate however Dean Watson’s long range effort almost cleaned out two supporters behind the goal on the embankment, but for their alert response to move either way of the ball flying towards them.

With just five minutes left on the clock, Spartans doubled their advantage in somewhat fortunate circumstances. 

Brogan Walls nodded the ball into the path of Blair Henderson on the edge of the box.  The hitman sent a speculative shot that looked a bread and butter for the keeper however Ritchie could only fumble and look on as the ball agonisingly darted into the net.

The visitors looked to have got themselves back into the game at the death however the travelling support’s cheers turned to jeers when Cammy Ross headed home, only to look up to see the Assistant Referee’s flag up in the air for offside.

One final swap in the Spartans ranks with Archie Wylie replacing Cammy Russell.  Wylie had scored a hat-trick the previous evening for the Under 20s in their Development League opener and he drew warm applause from the home support with his audacious attacking play during his cameo appearance.  Expect to see more from the young playmaker in due course.

FT: The Spartans 2-0 Bonnyrigg Rose

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Henderson.

Attendance: 616