Bonnyrigg Rose rise up in extra time to take League Cup win

Tempers were fraught during the two teams' last game of the season, with Tranent having a player sent off after the final whistle as Bonnyrigg managed to cope with the windy conditions to come back from a goal down and lift the trophy in their hometown.

In a veritable game of two halves, it was Tranent who started the brighter and, with the wind behind them, produced the better chances in a predominantly one-sided half.

James Peggie created the first real opportunity for team-mate Dillon Hood by heading down the left before playing in the striker, but Hood's shot was wide of the mark.

Tranent were, however, a goal up with their next opportunity as Myles Doig opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes. Alistair Pollock collected a pass on the halfway line and drove forward playing the ball into Hood, who chipped the ball through to the on running Doig and, with an outstretched leg, he crashed the ball into the top corner from around the penalty spot.

Bonnyrigg were then lucky to survive as Tranent counter-attacked via Daniel Innes on the wing, and Innes crossed to Hood only for his shot to run wide of the far post.

The half-time turnaround, with the wind still blowing in the same direction, enabled Bonnyrigg to camp out in the Tranent half following the break, and Rose created chance after chance. Their first opportunity fell to Ryan Henderson, who connected from an Adam Burton free kick but slammed his volley just past the post.

Ten minutes later, Bonnyrigg drew level through a free-kick just outside the area after Tranent's Arron Robertson had handled the ball. Calum Edwards stepped up and curled a fierce left foot shot round the wall into the bottom left hand corner. Five minutes later, Bonnyrigg had their next opportunity blocked off the line by the diving Robertson after Lewis Thomson had rattled in a fierce shot.

Chances were now coming thick and fast for Bonnyrigg with Tranent struggling to get past the halfway line as the wind continued to batter the Tranent goal. On 65 minutes, Bonnyrigg's Henderson had a shot, hit on the half volley, punched clear by keeper Dillon Lovatt before Mark Kean lobbed in an effort from just outside the area which went inches over the bar.

With ten minutes to go before full time, Lovatt again saved Tranent's blushes as Ryan Campbell twisted and turned the defence just outside the box before firing in a left foot shot that Lovatt palmed away.Tranent won the toss at the start of extra time and asked Bonnyrigg to shoot with the wind in their favour, but this only helped Bonnyrigg to continue their attacking style of play.

Within the first five minutes of extra time, after plying constant pressure on the Tranent defence, Bonnyrigg took the lead as Ryan Pendreich headed into an unguarded net. Josh Foggo fired in a cross from the right which was knocked on by Guy Johanson into the path of the unmarked Pendreich to place his header into the far corner of the net.

Tranent did push Bonnyrigg back in the second period but were unable to create any clear-cut chances, allowing their opponents to run out eventual winners. As the full time whistle blew the Tranent players were clearly upset, resulting in Doig being sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession, the first for dissent and the second for abusive behaviour towards the referee.

Stuart Murray, Bonnyrigg coach, felt his team deserved to win. He said: "Overall we were the better side, working hard for the whole game to stop them from playing. The wind spoilt the game, however, I felt we coped with the conditions better."

Tranent's coach Mark Innes was obviously disappointed to lose. "We never turned up today and should have played better, especially having beaten them twice already this season," said Innes. "But, we won the league so overall it has been a good season."

Bonnyrigg Rose: Michael Gillies, Calum Edwards, Adam Burton, Calum Davidson, Calum Murray, Ryan Campbell, Lewis Birrell, Chris Duncan, Ryan Henderson, Greg Atkinson, Guy Johanson, Stuart Brown, Ryan Pendreich, Josh Foggo, Mark Kean.

Tranent Juniors: Dillan Lovatt, Alistair Pollock, Lewis Slight, Arron Robertson, Lewis Thomson, Daniel Innes, Ben Tully, Ryan Leishman, Myles Doig, Robbie Murray, Dillon Hood, James Peggie, Grant Wilson.