The month started with yet another cracking fixture in prospect as Linlithgow were drawn at home to Spartans in the Scottish Cup. Spartans were renowned for their giant-killing efforts in the Scottish Cup and this game would provide a benchmark for many of the relative standards within the juniors and non-league seniors.

Big games continued to come thick and fast. Rose landed a tough first round junior cup draw away to Largs. Trailling 1-0 at half time, the Rose turned things round in the second half and a late Carrigan goal was enough to secure a hard fought win.

4 days later, Newtongrange arrived at Prestonfield for the final of the League Cup. After a superb first half performance, the visitors were extremely unfortunate to go in 2-1 down at half time. After the interval though the Rose really stepped up their game and produced some great football. In the end they could only add another Gordon Herd strike to their tally but it was enough to ensure that the season’s first silverware went straight back into the cabinet.

There was more good news as Iain Gallagher announced his return to the Rose – it was great to have Gall back at such a critical time.

With a flying Lochee Utd next up on league business, the Rose could be forgiven for hoping the Scottish Cup draws would be kind to them. Irvine Meadow at home!!! What a prospect – the cup holders up against the joint favourites. Not to mention Ryan Jordan facing up to his former team mates!

All that had to wait though as the Rose sought to regain some lost ground in the league. However Lochee sneaked a vital away win as yet another goal in injury time cost the Rose dearly and the inconsistency that had dogged their form continued to hold the team back.

Thankfully, our next match was less taxing. Bonnyrigg had endured a nightmare start to their season and when the Rose strolled to another 5-1 victory it was hard to believe that Bonnyrigg still retained many of the players who had pushed us so hard for the league a few months before.

Brian Carrigan then provided some good news for Rose fans as he signed a contract extension until the summer of 2009.

And so to Spartans! The build up was both tense and exciting. Spartans manager, Micky Lawson lit a few fires in the press with his reservations over the decision to allow junior participation in the Scottish Cup. However, he never showed the Rose anything less than complete respect. Jim Sinnet couldn’t make the game as he recovered from a hernia.

Prestonfield looked magnificent, bedecked in maroon and white, as the teams took to the field in front of a vociferous home support. And how the players rose to the occasion! Showing a level of form which had been missing all season they deservedly swept Spartans aside. Bradley put Rose ahead before the visitors drew level with a dubious penalty early in the second half. However, the Rose stepped up their play from that point on and they were a joy to watch as they tore Spartans apart. Goals from McArthur, Tyrell and a cracker from Hogg saw them run out comfortable 4-1 winners.

The result really made the press sit up and take notice of the junior game but for a while, most of the Rose fans were oblivious (again!) to all of that as they celebrated a famous victory. Only one round away from a potential draw against the top teams – bring it on!

And before the month was out, Rose were drawn at home to Dalbeattie Star – a tie in which they were firm favourites to progress. Now the supporters were starting to dream and almost every conversation seemed to start with “What if …”.

In spite of some indifferent league form, life’s still great if you are a Rose fan!