Bonnyrigg Rose Winners of the ScottishPower National League Cup

Bonnyrigg Rose claimed the ScottishPower National League Cup in front of more than 400 fans in Alloa, defeating Dryburgh Athletic 3-0.

The game was culmination of a weekend of grassroots women’s football, which also saw Alloa Athletic win the ScottishPower Regional League Plate and Bishopton win the ScottishPower Regional Cup.

Bonnyrigg Rose started the third game with intent, with four of their most potent forwards in the line-up, with top scorer Khya McGurk flanked by Niamh Naysmith and Saffron McCabe, with Jen Brown just behind. Dryburgh’s reputation for a solid defence preceded them, and led by skipper Rachel Robbie in front of Amelie Martindale they gave their opponents slim pickings in front of goal.

But on 19 minutes a clever ball from Naysmith found McGurk’s feet and she turned and struck a composed finish past Dryburgh goalie Zoe Maclean. Maclean prevented a quick second from Bonnyrigg’s top scorer, scooping her lob deftly off the line when it looked destined for the back of the net.

The game was a midfield tussle by this point, with a good duel on Dryburgh’s right between winger Clara Laing and Bonnyrigg skipper Dani Manson.

Then on 42 minutes Maclean produced a fingertip save to deny an audacious Kazya Stevens lob, but Chelsea Lowe was there to back heel into the net from the resultant corner to make it 2-0 at half time.

Dryburgh changed shape and started brighter in the second period, but Bonnyrigg still looked the most likely to score, Manson hitting the bar with a free kick after 55 minutes.

Robbie went close herself at the other end ten minutes later, after a well-worked free kick outfoxed the Bonnyrigg defenders who missed her diagonal ball.

This galvanised Dryburgh Athletic who enjoyed their best spell of the game, with Laing and substitute Jess Christie enjoying some forays down the wings and Rebecca Scobie lively up front.

But with Dryburgh pushing further forward, Kyha McGurk grabbed a poacher’s goal on a counter attack, with minutes to go, and Bonnyrigg keeper Denise Dudgeon ensured a clean sheet with a tip over from Clare Delworth shot.