Once more Carnoustie were left ruing debateable refereeing decisions as they lost at title contenders Bonnyrigg Rose.
Panny made the trip south with only one outfield sub, Scott Gray,who wasn’t fully fit so it was always going to be a struggle especially when Gray had to come on after half an hour for Liam Scott.
Carnoustie started well and with Roddy Black partnering Danny Millar once again in defence, managed to repel everything Bonnyrigg threw at them. Liam Scott had done well in an unfamiliar wide midfield role but had to be replaced on the half hour due to a shoulder injury. The home side eventually did take the lead through the dangerous Kieran McGachie and the relief in the ground was clear for all to see.
The game took a turn five minutes in to the second half when McGachie went down in the box, to the incredulity of the Panny players the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Sean Jamieson stepped up and sent Jamie Robbie the wrong way to make it 2-0. Just before the hour mark McGachie went down again under the challenge of John Roberts, there looked to be no contact but once again the referee pointed to the spot and Jamieson converted although Jamie Robbie guessed correctly. Carnoustie were by this stage losing patience with the referee’s decision making and concentration wained allowing Kerr Young to rise at the back post to head in number four on 82 minutes. There was still time for McGachie to score his second and Bonnyriggs fifth in stoppage time.
A disappointing end to a long season but credit must go to the players that were available and gave their all, against a side that are now in with a very good chance of winning the league title. The season started badly and hasn’t ended that well but the middle was excellent and that is what has led us to survival, now only if we can string a full season together.
