Bonnyrigg show class at Riverside

Report by Bob Bissett
Jeanfield Swifts lost out 1-4 to a strong, well drilled Bonnyrigg Rose side, but it was not as one sided as the score suggests.

Bonnyrigg had the bulk of posession in the 1st half but struggled to break down a well drilled Swifts defence. There only goal in the half came from a free kick when Brown deceived the defence into thinking he was going for the top corner, so when the wall jumped Brown slotted it under the wall and inside the near post to give Bonnyrigg the lead.

That summed up the first half with Jeanfield closing down well, but offering nothing up front as Robbie Holden chased lost causes and tried in vane in the air against two towering centre halves.

The second half was much better by swifts as they broke several times at pace on the counter attack and instead of lumping the high ball up to Robbie Holden, passed there way to feet. The Swifts equaliser was a quick move out of defence by Scott who ran up the left, centered it to Holden who slipped in Kelly on the right. Kelly looked up and crossed to the back post for Scott who had continued his run in to the box, and had an easy finish. GREAT MOVE. Jeanfield were starting to grow in confidence and more counter attacks in the same vain continued unfortunately without further goals, but definately had Bonnyrigg on the ropes.

Then in 75 Minutes the impressive Brown for Bonnyrigg picked out Brett unmarked at the back post, who headered into the net.

4 minutes later and Bonnyrigg sealed the points with some intricate play on the edge of the Jeanfield box which resulted in a ball being played through to Gray, who could have taken the shot himself but unselfishly squared it to McGachie, for a tap in.

Another mistake resulted in another freekick on the edge of Jeanfields box. This time Brown curled the ball into the far corner of the net for Bonnyriggs fourth and teach Jeanfield a harsh lesson.

Summary

This was a bitter pill to swallow for a much harder working Jeanfield team, who never gave up. But individual errors cost them again and were punished by 2 superb free kicks. They showed in the second half that they are capable of much more when they pass the ball intelligently and move it quickly on the ground. Plenty effort from everyone today especially Robbie Holden who has the unenviable task of trying to win the ball to often that is hit to him in the air.