Peterhead welcomed Bonnyrigg Rose to Balmoor on Saturday, with the home side seeking their first home victory in this campaign. Making the trip up from South Edinburgh, the away team sat top of the League 2 standings after an unbeaten start to the season.
The match got underway at a sunny Balmoor as both teams looked to take an early hold of the game. Both sides had early chances however nothing to trouble either goalkeeper until Rory McAllister got on the end of a deflected McKee effort to force a save from Paddy Martin in the Bonnyrigg goal. With no real sign of any breakthrough for the hosts or the visitors, the pair linked up once again to force another stop from Martin after McAllister rose highest to meet a McKee free kick. The referee produced the first two bookings of the day for Bonnyrigg duo McGale and Young in quick succession for a late challenge on McCarthy and dissent, respectively.
HT: Peterhead 0 – 0 Bonnyrigg Rose.
The second half resumed in a similar fashion, with both sides enjoying equal possession and no clear cut chances falling to either side. As the match progressed, tensions rose which resulted in yellow cards for Ryan Strachan, Andy McCarthy and Joe McKee who was then replaced by Hamish Ritchie. One Brown made way for another as Jack replaced Jordon; a substitution which would prove crucial as Jack did well to win the ball back in the Bonnyrigg box, found Ritchie who then fired the ball into the top corner.With 20 minutes left to play, Bonnyrigg fought hard to level the scoreline as they made four tactical changes. After 10 minutes, Bonnyrigg were awarded a penalty after Jordan Armstrong was adjudged to have committed a foul in a congested penalty area. The scoreline became 1-1 after defender Neil Martynuik converted his penalty. With all still to play for, Ward and Ross replaced O’Keefe and Armstrong in the final changes of a tight match. Just when it looked like The Blue Toon would have to settle for a draw, the referee awarded a penalty after McAllister was fouled in the area with two minutes of regular time to play. With his chance to score on his home return, McAllister hands the ball to Shanks who completes his man of the match performance by converting his penalty. Now in injury time, 2 could have become 3 after some brilliant play between the Peterhead front 3 of Ward, Shanks and McAllister. Shanks who very nearly had his second goal of the day had his effort cleared off the line by a Bonnyrigg defender.
FT: Peterhead 2 – 1 Bonnyrigg Rose.
In a well contested match, it was The Blue Toon who came out on top and ended their poor run of home form; grabbing their first home victory of the season.
