Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic v Forfar Athletic – match preview
[Friday, 17 February 2023 10:32]
The ‘Loons’ head for Midlothian tomorrow to face up to Bonnyrigg Rose knowing that they have still to record a victory over last season’s Lowland League champions this term.
On the season’s opening day, the home side triumphed 2-0 at New Dundas Park, before the sides fought out a 1-1 draw at Station Park in mid November.
That game marked Ray McKinnon’s debut as the Athies manager and a ‘lot of water has gone under the bridge’ as they say since.
In that Station Park contest, Jaden Ferguson gave the home side the lead in the 78th minute, George Hunter netting Rose’s equaliser three minutes into stoppage time.
Ray McKinnon is as ever looking forward to tomorrow’s contest though he one hundred per cent realises that it will be no easy task to pick up the three points against the side currently propping up the table.
He knows that former Forfar central defender Robbie Horn the now long serving man at the helm at Bonnyrigg will have charges fired up for the occasion and the ‘Loons’ boss admits he is expecting a tough ninety minutes and with it a highly competitive match.
Ray however is keen to maintain the club’s recent unbeaten away unbeaten record, three wins and a draw since he took over the Station Park reins and he took positives yet again from last weekend’s joust with the ‘Warriors’ despite the fact that at the end of the day the Athies had to settle for a point from what was a fiercely contested affair.
The manager is slightly frustrated that once again his selection options will be limited with Roberto Nditi and Craig Thomson ruled out through ninjury, but there is little doubt that more than adequate cover is available these days in all positions.
Ray is still however scouring the potential loan market and may make another move to bolster his current squad before the February 28th deadline.
A final point from the boss. He is delighted to hear the news that the Supporters Coach to Bonnyrigg tomorrow is almost full to capacity and is looking forward as will be the players to the increased level of away backing on the day.
The home side go into the game sitting one point behind Albion Rovers following their 2-1 home defeat from Stirling Albion on Tuesday evening courtesy of a last minute counter from Greig Spence for the ‘Binos.’
It was ironic that the winner for Albion came in the dying embers of the contest, as Bonnyrigg themselves had benefited from a similar late goal to clinch all three points down at Stranraer last Saturday.
The scorer of that vital counter was substitute Alieu Faye, one of a handful of new faces recruited by Rose in the January window.
Saturday’s man in the middle is Colin Whyte who will be handling a Forfar fixture for the first time.
A reminder that admission charges at New Dundas Park are;-
Adults (17 – 65 years) £12
Over 65’s and 12 – 16 year olds - £7
Under 12’s admitted free of charge if accompanied by a paying adult
Payment by cash or card at turnstile
Saturday’s other cinch league2 fixtures;- Annan Athletic v Stirling Albion, East Fife v Dumbarton, Elgin City v Stranraer, Stenhousemuir v Albion Rovers
