Bonnyrigg Rose 0 Forfar Athletic 2

The Loons travelled to New Dundas Park looking for their second win of the season and unbelievably their first win over their opponents having drawn or lost the previous five since Bonnyrigg entered the SPFL leagues. Heavy overnight rain concerned the home team and a pitch inspection was arranged for 10.00 but thankfully passed and it was game on for Captain Andy Munro and his teammates.

Playing conditions were difficult for both teams on the heavy pitch but both tried to play passing football right from the off and Forfar had the first real chance of the match, Josh Skelly's right footed shot from outside the box was saved easily by the home keeper. It was a fairly even opening 20 minutes however Bonnyrigg came very close to opening the scoring on 24 minutes from a corner. Thankfully for the visiting supporters behind Marc McCallums goal, Mark Whatley was on the goal line to head clear from a Kerr Young header who rose highest out jumping the Loons defenders.

Rose were pushing for the opener and Marc McCallum had to react smartly following a Taylor Sutherland effort to his bottom right. The Loons reacted to this and a nice bit of work between Tomas Brindlay and Callum Moore released Brindlay down the wing and he flashed one across the box with Skelly only just managing to get on the end of it but it sadly went over the bar from 6 yards out.

The Loons were now in the driving seat and were rewarded for their efforts when Mark Whatley scored at the second attempt on 37 minutes. The ball was played across to Whatley in space and his first effort was saved by Martin in the Roses goal but couldn't hold and Whatley made no mistake at the second time of asking. Minutes later Euan Mutale had a chance to double Forfars lead but his shot was saved bottom left corner, however the Loons went in halftime one nil up in what was a fairly close opening 45 minutes.

Second half the Loons were playing down the New Dundas Park slope but stuck to the game plan manager Ray McKinnon had sent them out to play.

Again it was a fairly even opening with recent goal scoring machine Stuart Morrison coming close with a header which missed just right of the target on 65 minutes. Andy Munro received a yellow card for a clumsy foul on Robbie McGale which forced Bonnyrigg into a change which they then followed up with a further double substitution in an effort to get something put of the game as the visitors were starting to dominate. Josh Skelly who had as ever put in his 100% effort on the heavy pitch was replaced by 'super sub' Ryan Paterson on 71 minutes and it took only 9 minutes for young Patty to get the chance to double the Loons lead.

A long ball over the top which held up on the surface gave Paterson who'd sprung the offside trap perfectly, the chance to round the keeper and blast the ball into the empty net much to the delight of the travelling Forfar supporters behind the goal.

Further changes from Bonnyrigg couldnt stop the drive and hunger that the Loons were showing and if it hadn't been for unbelievable stop by Martin in the Rose's goal with his elbow Paterson's powerful shot would would have doubled his match tally and given Forfar a third. Cameron Ferguson was introduced to the action late on for Euan Mutale who had ran himself into the ground up front minutes before the final whistle. Fulltime 0-2.

Overall a much improved team performance with everyone giving it their all for the jersey but standout performances being Hutchinson and Munro in defence, Whatley, and Morrison controlling midfield and upfront fans favourite Skelly !

Its a quick turnaround as the Loons are back in action on Tuesday away to Elgin in the rearranged postponed league fixture and no doubt Ray McKinnon had an eye on game as he rested the rest of the bench.

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