Blair Henderson netted his 100th goal in Spartans colours to earn a hard fought point as Douglas Samuel’s side came back twice to secure a 2-2 draw at New Dundas Park against Bonnyrigg Rose.
Another midweek game for the North Edinburgh side and the first league match of 2025 saw the gaffer make some changes from the side who qualified for the City Cup Final following a 0-4 win against Edinburgh City last time out.
Blair Carswell returned between the sticks whilst Ayrton Sonkur slotted back into the defence. The travelling band of Spartans fans were also delighted to see Keiran Watson in the match day squad, taking a seat on the bench.
The game was a mere three minutes old when the hosts were awarded a penalty after a corner to the back post saw a Bonnyrigg man hit the deck under a challenge by Sonkur. Up stepped Neil Martyniuk who sent Carswell the wrong way to put Rose into an early lead.
Spartans looked to get back on level terms at the earliest opportunity however it was the home side who pressed hard as they sought to double their advantage. A bout of resilient defending however kept Bonnyrigg at bay.
Cammy Russell was to carve open the visitors first clean chance of the night, cutting inside across the edge of the box looking for a gap to unleash an effort however when pulling the proverbial trigger, his shot was blocked and Bonnyrigg survived.
It was however the same man who was to equalise and it took a bit of bravery in doing so. A ball over the top of the home defence saw Cammy Russell outfox the high line and in a one-on-one with the Rose keeper, he managed to leap up to nod the ball on before the stopper could get a glove on ball which landed in front of the empty onion bag for Russell to ram into.
Russell almost turned creator of what may have been an unlikely half time lead when his trickery in the box saw him get to the bye-line before sending a telling low pass across the face of the goal that evaded the sliding attentions of Bradley Whyte who was a shoelace away from connecting.
HT: Bonnyrigg Rose 1-1 The Spartans
The opening passages of play saw the ball unceremoniously hoofed up and down the paddock in relatively crude fashion that it would have been within its rights to have requested to be substituted.
Blair Henderson came close to putting Spartans in front when his sliding in effort looked destined for the roof of the net but it frustratingly crashed off the bar.
Bonnyrigg regained the lead in the 55th minute courtesy of a well taken solo effort from Bradley Barrett.
James Craigen was to replace Danny Denholm midway through the second half as Spartans looked to freshen up matters in midfield.
Then, shortly after, it was all square once again! The home side couldn’t clear their lines and as Cammy Russell raced to press Gallagher Lennon in the box, he managed to nick the ball before being bundled to the ground.
Up stepped Blair Henderson who despatched calmly and with that, his 100th Spartans goal in just 164 appearances.
Liam Morgan was next up to make an appearance off the bench at the expense of Brogan Walls as the game entered the final ten minutes, with all to play for.
Could there to be a hero at the death? Well, there was and not from a match winning goal scorer but from the trusty gloves of Blair Carswell who somehow managed to push Aaron Arnott’s flicked header over the bar.
And with that, a share of the spoils.
FT: Bonnyrigg Rose 2-2 The Spartans
