The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Dingwall hat-trick gives Elgin victory
Elgin City returned to winning ways after two successive league defeats as a first-half hat-trick from midfielder Russell Dingwall helped the Black and Whites edge out a battling Bonnyrigg Rose side in their first visit to New Dundas Park.
The 3-2 victory moves Elgin up to fourth spot in League Two on 19 points.
Dingwall revealed afterwards that he had been challenged by manager Gavin Price to get forward more and hit at least 10 goals this season, a tally which he has now achieved.
“The manager has been on at me for a while now to get into double figures,” said Dingwall.
“The closest I’ve ever
achieved up until now has been seven so I’m delighted to have reached that target in early November.”
The former Ross County man now appears to be challenging the club’s talismanic marksman Kane Hester, who has netted 20 goals this term, for the title of leading scorer.
Dingwall said: “I don’t think I’ll ever get close to Kane but I’ll just look to keep knocking them in.
“Kane’s frustrated that he didn’t get on the scoresheet but all strikers have days like that.”
Dingwall fired City ahead from the penalty spot early on after Hester had been hauled down in the box by Bonnyrigg goalkeeper Mark Kerr.
He made it 2-0 midway through the first half, taking advantage of Kerr’s hesitancy by dispossessing him on the goal line and
slotting the ball into the unguarded net. His third again came from the penalty spot just before the interval after Hester, clean through on goal, had been tripped by Alan Horne.
Dingwall’s hat-trick looked to have given Elgin an unassailable half-time lead but the Midlothian side pulled one back early in the second half through Conner Doan.
After Daniel Hoban had saved superbly from Neil Martyniuk, a second from George Hunter nine minutes from the end ensured it was going to be a nervy finish but the Highlanders dug in to secure the three points.
Dingwall added: “It was the first hat-trick of my professional career but as soon as the first half ended we knew we’d be up against it with Bonnyrigg coming down the hill.
“We had to try not to
concede early but unfortunately we did.
“Then they got their second with maybe 10 to play and it was always going to be a bit nervy but the boys put their bodies on the line and we hung on well.
“It’s good to be back to winning ways and we’re now up to fourth place in the table which is about where we want to be.
“Any away win in this league is a good result and to come down here, win the game and score three goals is a great outcome.
“The spirit in the dressing room is great and the boys are really buzzing just now.”
Elgin boss Price was delighted with the victory.
He said: “We were excellent in the first half but we lost our composure after the break.
“Overall, however, it was a pleasing day.”