Bonnyrigg Rose will always hold a special place in the heart of Deryn Lang.
The frontman made quite the impression on 19 August last year at New Dundas Park.
His Stranraer career was not even half an hour old when he cancelled out Neil Martyniuk’s penalty to earn the Blues a point.
Now, he is hoping to score a winner against the Midlothian men when they visit on Tuesday night in the second round of the SPFL Trust Trophy.
Lang said: “Obviously, I think about that goal quite a lot.
“It has stuck with me and was my first professional goal and on my debut as well.
“Scoring was a really proud moment for myself and I like playing against Bonnyrigg.
“I scored my first goal against them and I am looking forward to getting to Stair Park on Tuesday night and scoring a few – not just one!”
The goal last season came after Lang had impressed Scott Agnew while on trial.
The former Lanark United man did enough to earn himself a deal and went on to finish the campaign on five goals.
Already this season, the maths teacher has found the net on three occasions as he looks to better the tally from his first season in SPFL football.
He said: “I feel much fitter this season because I have had a full pre-season.
“I feel stronger and know what to expect coming in.
“Starting this season, I got off to a good start with goal contributions and can only build on it.
“I did not get a goal against Clyde but there are 36 league games in a season so there is plenty more time to get goals and the three points.
“I am planning on blowing last season’s tally out of the water.
“I have had a good wee start already and I am just planning to keep it going.
“You never know, it could be double figures.”
Stranraer have plenty of positives to take from their opening two league contests but, ultimately, just a draw from the opening game against Spartans.
Points are not on the line on Tuesday night but both clubs will be keen to sample that winning feeling having yet to do so this term.
Lang said: “Obviously, we are both eager to get that first win.
“We are at home on Tuesday and will be up for it.”
Previous meeting
A vital game towards the end of last season saw the spoils shared at Stair Park.
Stranraer’s best opportunity of the first half came when Dean Hawkshaw charged down Reis Peggie’s attempted clearance. Hawkshaw then laid the ball off to Deryn Lang, whose shot was inches wide of the post.
Matty Grant called Paddy Martin into action while Angus Mailer failed to keep his shot down after Stranraer surrendered possession near the halfway line.
Bradley Barrett volleyed over after a clever turn in the box but it was not until the 77th minute that the deadlock was broken. Grant Gallagher was penalised for bringing down Mailer and the reliable Neil Martyniuk fired home.
James Dolan squandered a chance to equalise with a header in the six-yard box but quickly redeemed himself in crossing in for Lang to head home.
Stranraer: Budinauckas, Robertson, Williamson, Ross, McQueen, Gallagher (Fleming 82), Hawkshaw (Gilmartin 78), Forrest, Grant (Dolan 66), Lang, Armour (Orr 78).
Not used: Ecrepont, McIntosh, Miller and Downie.
Bonnyrigg Rose: Martin, Mailer (Jarvis 78), Martyniuk, Young, Dunsmore, Currie (Stewart 82), Gray (Doan 56), Peggie, Barrett, Connolly, McGachie (Osadolor 82).
Not used: Gormley, McGale, Watson and McDermid.
Last five meetings
- Stranraer 1 Bonnyrigg Rose 1 (Lang; Martyniuk (Pen)) at Stair Park on March 30, 2024
- Bonnyrigg Rose 0 Stranraer 0 at New Dundas Park on February 3, 2024
- Stranraer 3 Bonnyrigg Rose 1 (Own goal, Grant and Ross; Barrett) at Stair Park on December 16, 2023
- Bonnyrigg Rose 1 Stranraer 1 (Martyniuk (Pen); Lang) at New Dundas Park on August 19, 2023
- Bonnyrigg Rose 1 Stranraer 0 (McGachie) at New Dundas Park on April 1, 2023
Last five games
Stranraer
- LOSS v Clyde (A): 0-1
- DRAW v Spartans (H): 2-2 (Lang and Dunlop)
- DRAW v Stirling Albion (A): 2-2 (Edgar and Lang) (Stirling Albion won 4-2 on penalties)
- LOSS v Hamilton Academical (H): 0-3
- LOSS v Raith Rovers (A) 3-1 (Dunlop)
Bonnyrigg Rose
- LOSS v Spartans (A): 2-0
- LOSS v Peterhead (H): 0-1
- LOSS v Arbroath (H): 0-1
- LOSS v Inverness Caledonian Thistle (A): 3-0
- DRAW v Annan Athletic (A): 2-2 (Annan Athletic win 7-6 on penalties) (Barrett and Rodden)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Clyde: Pazikas, Cummins, Craig Ross, McQueen, McIntosh (Grant 78), Brindley, Dunlop, Russell, Hawkshaw, McKnight (Edgar 64), Foster (Lang 24).
Not used: Robertson, Ecrepont, Gallagher, Hughes, Adam and Broun.
Bonnyrigg Rose
Lineup v Spartans: Ritchie, Martyniuk, Young, Lorimer (Scarborough 78), Somerville, Murphy, Higginbotham (McGachie 81), Currie, Barrett (Watson 70), Arnott, Cammie Ross.
Not used: Wardell, Connolly and Andrews.
Ins and outs
Stranraer
Arrivals: Mo Adam (Gala Fairydean Rovers), Tomas Brindley (Forfar Athletic), Harry Broun (Dumbarton), Adam Cummins (Stirling Albion), Robbie Foster (Huntly), Kirk McKnight (Broomhill), Mark Russell (Portadown), Paul Woods (unattached), Elliot Dunlop (Airdrieonians, loan) and Jacob Pazikas (Rangers, loan)
Depatures: Ben Armour (Peterhead), Andy Downie (Creetown), Kyle Fleming (Annan Athletic), Kyle Girvan (Elgin City), George O’Connor (Hurlford United), Tom Orr (Cumnock Juniors), Josh Walker (Queen of the South), Cammy Williamson (Darvel), Lewis Budinauckas (Rangers, end of loan), Aidan Gilmartin (St Mirren, end of loan), Murray Miller (Stirling Albion, end of loan), James Dolan Chris Johnston.
Bonnyrigg Rose
Arrivals: Aaron Arnott (Raith Rovers), Kallum Higginbotham (Tranent), Sean Murphy (Tranent), Bradley Rodden (Stenhousemuir), Cameron Ross (Tranent), Ben Scarborough (Luncarty), Kieran Somerville (Tranent) and Tom Ritchie (Aberdeen, loan).
Departures: Conor Doan (Tranent), Sam Gormley (Edinburgh City), Ross Gray (Tranent), Jason Jarvis (Edinburgh City), Robbie McGale (Cumbernauld Colts), Scott Mercer (Kelty Hearts), Smart Osadolor (Bo’ness United), Reis Peggie (East Fife), Jonny Stewart (Tranent), Cameron Forbes (Dunbar United, loan), Aaron Dunsmore (Stirling Albion, end of loan), Declan Byrne, Josh Grigor and Bradley Rodden.
Five facts
1. Tuesday night brings about a first cup clash between Stranraer and Bonnyrigg Rose. The previous eight fixtures have all been league encounters. The men from Midlothian have won three, with Stranraer winning one and the remaining four finishing in draws.
2. Former Stranraer loan signing Marc McAusland turns 36 tomorrow (Tuesday). Stranraer fans at Cappielow in 2006 may remember the former St Mirren man. He played 90 minutes in a 3-0 defeat to Greenock Morton that day, with former Stranraer assistant manager Peter Weatherson among the scorers. That was McAusland’s only appearance in a Stranraer shirt. He went on to play for Queen of the South and Dunfermline Athletic but has spent the last eight years in Iceland. Currently, he plays for IR.
3. Six games into the season and Tomas Brindley is now the only Stranraer player to have played in every minute for the Blues this season.
4. Tom Orr’s departure means only three of the current Stranraer squad have reached double figures for goals for the club. Craig Ross has found the target on 11 occasions while Grant Gallagher is on 14 and Scott Robertson leads the way on 18.
5. Stranraer and Bonnyrigg Rose’s first meeting took place exactly two years ago. The score on August 13, 2022, was 2-2 as Stranraer twice surrendered a lead. An own goal was cancelled out by Kevin Smith before a last minute Lee Currie penalty secured a point after Josh Walker’s goal. The Stranraer team at Stair Park that day was: Scullion, Ellis, Ross, Watt, Girvan, Brady (Hawkshaw 82), Walker (Dunn 69), Woods (McLean 82), Forrest, Grant (Hilton 77), Malcolm. Not used: Robertson, Duffy and O’Connor.
Merchandise
If you’re yet to get your hands on our new away kits for 2024/25, you can check out our merchandise hut at the back of the main stand pre-match.
Parking
There is parking space throughout the grassy areas of Stair Park, and you should find a spot within the grounds. Please allow plenty of time for your journey and travel safely.
Admission
Admission in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park is generally ‘pay at the gate’ only, so no tickets are required. Please note that season tickets are not valid for cup games.
Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. This turnstile is cash only.
The following pricing applies:
- Adult – £15
- Concession (over 65) – £10
- Youth (5 to 16) – £5
- Under 5 – FREE
Pavilion Bar
You can drop into the Pavilion Bar outside the away turnstile, with a special opening time of 5pm.
Home, away and neutral supporters are welcome, and the bar accepts both cash and card.
Or, stop into the Stranraer FC Fitba’ Bar on North Strand Street in the town centre, which is also open to all.
Coverage
The manager’s interview will be available on YouTube following the game, and our popular extended highlights package will follow on Wednesday.
Club 1870 subscribers can catch the goals first, along with full match footage later on Wednesday.
We’ll also have limited live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter) for those further afield.
Photos: Bill McCandlsh
