Gala FR wither in second half against Rose

High-flying Bonnyrigg Rose recorded a big victory on their first ever competitive visit to the Netherdale 3G Arena on Saturday.

But there was little to choose between the teams in the first half in front of a large crowd, despite the precarious weather.

George Hunter took advantage of the space afforded him by drilling home the opener in the eighth minute for the visitors.

But Gala Fairydean Rovers hit back two minutes later when Zander Murray’s cross from the left was finished off by Marc Berry.

The home side enjoyed the majority of the possession but struggled to break down a solid Bonnyrigg defence.

And it was Rose who grabbed the lead before the interval when the unfortunate Scott-Taylor Mackenzie turned the ball into his own net.

Bonnyrigg were desperate for the victory to keep on the tail of Lowland League leaders Kelty Hearts, whom they trail by six points but have two games in hand.

They gave themselves some daylight with a neat finish by David Baur seven minutes after the re-start.

And the game was over as a contest when Lewis Grant was sent off for a tackle which Gala FR thought merited a yellow card at worst.

Bonnyrigg took full advantage of their numerical superiority, with Hunter smashing home the fourth after a fine save by teenage Gala ‘keeper Kit McRitchie.

Lee Currie rounded off the scoring 11 minutes from time to secure the 5-1 win for Bonnyrigg.

*This Saturday, Gala Fairydean Rovers travel to the Falkirk Stadium to face East Stirlingshire in a Lowland League fixture. A supporters’ bus is departing from the clubrooms at 11.30am.