Bonnyrigg Rose v Forfar Athletic – match preview

The ‘Loons’ head into their twelfth cinch league2 game of the season on Saturday at New Dundas Park with still the away win at Stranraer in late September their only success to date.

Thankfully a terrific strike from Stuart Morrison in the 90thminute of normal time in the home game with Clyde last Saturday rescued a point which saw the Athies remain in eighth spot in the league table.

Manager Ray McKinnon is as ever in positive mood prior to what will be the first of three successive away games.
He has however been emphasising to the players this week at training that they must be more ruthless in front of goal if they are to start climbing the league table.

There is no doubting that fact with only fifteen goals having been conceded in the eleven league fixtures to date, but sadly only ten scored. Stuart’s goal last week also meant that the defender is now the club ‘s leading scorer to date this term in all competitive fixtures with five to his name.

On the injury front, Keiran Inglis is again ruled out, although a return to training is on the cards, while Craig Thomson will again be unavailable for a few weeks following his late cameo appearance last Saturday, as he completes his training with the Fire Service.

No doubt Cameron Ferguson, Ryan Paterson and Seb Ross, second half subs last week will be desperate for a starting berth this time round, but the manager as ever was keeping his cards close to his chest on potential team selection.

The home side go into the match on the back of two away defeats at Dumbarton and Elgin, their last home league game resulting in a 3-2 victory four weeks back against Clyde, with 17 year old Taylor Sutherland on loan from Dunfermline Athletic netting a brace, Liam Buchanan the other marksman.

Much has been made about the ‘Loons’ record against Bonnyrigg since they gained entry to the SPFL eighteen months back, the home side on Saturday having remained unbeaten to date, inclusive of a 2-1 win at Station Park back in August.

Neil Martyniuk gave Rose the lead from the penalty spot on the day, Alieu Faye netting the visitors winner, just minutes after Stuart Morrison had pulled the Athies level.

Hopefully that elusive first victory against Robbie Horn’s side can be recorded this weekend and that unwanted statistic put to bed prior to the lengthy midweek trip on Tuesday up to Elgin.

Experienced official Chris Fordyce is Saturday’s man in the middle, the first time he has taken charge of a Forfar fixture this term.

The kick-off on Saturday is at the usual time of 3p.m.

Admission at Bonnyrigg is by payment at the turnstile on the day by cash or card, the prices as follows;-
Adults (17-65 years of age) £14
Concessions (over 65) £9
12/16 year olds £5
Under 12’s accompanied by a paying adult – free of charge

Saturday’s other cinch league2 fixtures ;-Clyde v East Fife, Dumbarton v Elgin City, Stranraer v Stenhousemuir, The Spartans v Peterhead