Archives | Bonnyrigg Rose 2 Dunfermline 4

KDM Evolution Trophy - last 32
Tuesday 3rd November 2026
New Dundas Park

This KDM Evolution Trophy tie pitched Dunfermline and Bonnyrigg Rose together for the first ever time in competition. The chance to clock their team play on another new football ground attracted a sizeable travelling support to New Dundas Park including one fan returning from Bergen just for the match. The former SPFL club lay 13th in the Lowland League without a win in their five matches since defeating Motherwell U21s in this competition in September. The Pars were on an unbeaten run of ten matches and sat 3rd in the Championship.

This competition has been used to give game time to fringe players and Dunfermline took full advantage naming a completely different eleven from that which started against Inverness Caley Thistle. Bonnyrigg Rose rested six players so they too made full use of their playing squad.

It was a match where the home side sat deep leaving Dunfermline loads of space to totally dominate possession with a display of fine passing moves. It was the first forward move from Bonnyrigg Rose however that led to the opening goal. Scott Robinson sent Laurie Devine down the left and when Robinson`s shot from the cross was not cleanly defended Jordan SMITH squeezed the ball in at the near post. 1-0

The home fans` delight was short lived and they fully understood that it would be. Dunfermline turned more direct with crosses into the Rose box by Corbally and Olly Thomas. Charlie Gilmour struck an excellent effort in 16 minutes that was blocked and a minute later he pulled a fine save out of keeper Jack Lyon from 25 yard out.

John Tod connected with a Corbally corner but he was wide but the Pars were level again in 20th minute. Lee Currie`s challenge on Oli Shaw handed the visitors a free kick, level with 18 yard line on right side, and Corbally`s delivery from it was forced home at the far post by TOD. 1-1

Callumn Morrison fizzed a cross in from the right but it just evaded Chris Kane sliding in at the far post. Then Devine was deemed to have fouled Tod as Corbally sent over a free kick from the right and referee Greg Soutar awarded a penalty. Chris KANE stepped up and sent the spot kick right footed into the bottom left corner of the home team`s net, 1-2

The one way traffic continued with Morrison setting up Kane for a shot from the right side that was saved by keeper diving to his right. Rudden had his effort saved but in 33 minutes Olly Thomas increased the lead. The 21 year old signed from Bristol City in September robbed central defender Reece Gaylor to get in one on one with Lyon. THOMAS` first attempt was stopped by the keeper but he coolly slotted home the rebound. 1-3

A Kane attempt was turned behind for a Pars corner and Morrison saw his low shot saved but a fourth goal was just moments away. A surging run, fast becoming a trademark of his play, from TOD saw him play the ball off Kane to score from the left side of the Bonnyrigg box. 1-4

Two minutes from the break Alassan Jones ran into Corbally earning the home side a free kick run 27 yards out but Smith launched that way over Musa Dibaga`s crossbar. The half closed with the only save the Pars 26 year-old Gambian goalkeeper had to make was to keep a deflected Ross Gray shot from going out for a corner.

Half Time: Bonnyrigg Rose 1 Dunfermline 4

After such a positive first half, the second was a shade disappointing. It didn`t start well as the Lowland League side got a goal back after just six minutes. Mackenzie SCOTT grabbed his opportunity after receiving a Robinson pass to carve a route through in a central position and draw the Pars keeper to net his left footed shot, 2-4

The 56th minute brought Bonnyrigg`s first corner but that was simply defended while at the other end Tod`s header from a Corbally corner earned a second. This time Morrison`s cross from the left was just too high for Tod at far post

Rory Macleod who had come on for Oli Shaw set up Gilmour but his shot from 25 yards out was bravely blocked. A lofty Kearney cross had to be tipped over the bar by Lyon. Kyle Benedictus headed clear a 75th minute Bonnyrigg corner.

As the match went on neither keeper really had much to do. Rudden blasted two shots wildly off target and sub Lucas Fyfe could only find the sidenetting. Keith Bray had his shot blocked and Tod was denied his hat-trick when yet another well connected on-target header was defended.

In the end it was a comfortable win, the two goal margin could possibly have been greater but it was Dunfermline through to Thursday`s last 16 draw. The match served as very worthwhile game time for players who have not received much lately. All this important since it is always claimed that a fully fit, competitive squad is a must.